Saudi Arabia Takes Lead in Global AI Ethics Dialogue at UNESCO Forum
the gathering marked a significant milestone, with Saudi Arabia becoming the first Arab country to host a high-level dialogue on AI ethics alongside major international organisations
As the global race to regulate artificial intelligence accelerates, Saudi Arabia is positioning itself at the centre of the international debate, bringing ministers, policymakers and AI experts from around the world to Riyadh for a high-level dialogue on AI ethics involving more than 60 countries, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
Hosted by Saudi Arabia, the forum will continue through September 17 and is being organised by the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA) in partnership with UNESCO and the International Center for AI Research and Ethics (ICAIRE), in coordination with the National Commission for Education, Culture and Science.
The forum brings together ministers from UNESCO member states, policymakers, researchers, academics, AI experts, and representatives of governments and international organisations.
SDAIA President Dr. Abdullah bin Sharaf Alghamdi said during the opening ceremony that Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the fourth edition comes in an exceptional year, following the Kingdom’s designation of 2026 as the “Year of Artificial Intelligence.” He said the move reflects Saudi Arabia’s commitment to developing AI as a driver of progress, competitiveness and human development.
Alghamdi said the Kingdom recognised early that addressing AI requires more than adopting new technologies, calling for an integrated national ecosystem covering institutions, regulatory frameworks, human and technical capabilities, and international partnerships.
He highlighted the establishment of SDAIA in 2019 as part of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to institutionalise data and AI activities at the national level. Its Board of Directors is chaired by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman.
He also pointed to the establishment of ICAIRE in Riyadh in 2022, which later came under UNESCO’s auspices. The centre works to support AI research, develop policies, build capabilities, strengthen international cooperation and translate AI ethics principles into practical tools and practices.
Saudi Arabia adopted its Personal Data Protection Law in 2021 and subsequently developed national data governance policies covering the classification, sharing, availability, protection and use of data.
The Kingdom also launched its AI Ethics Principles in 2022, aligned with the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, with a focus on fairness, privacy, security, safety, transparency and accountability.
Alghamdi said Saudi Arabia has also invested heavily in developing AI talent and human capabilities. Through the national SMAI initiative, more than one million people have been trained in the fundamentals of artificial intelligence, he said.
UNESCO Deputy Director-General Åsa Regnér thanked Saudi Arabia for hosting and organising the forum and highlighted the importance of the organisation’s partnership with the Kingdom. She also noted that Saudi Arabia completed UNESCO’s Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM) process last year.
