Saudi Arabia to host fourth UNESCO Global Forum on Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, bringing together representatives from 95 countries
RIYADH, Thursday, August 27, 2026 (WNP): The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is intensifying international efforts to strengthen global dialogue on the responsible and ethical use of artificial intelligence (AI), as governments and technology stakeholders confront the growing social, economic and human-rights implications of rapidly advancing AI systems.
The renewed international focus builds on UNESCO’s Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, adopted by its 194 Member States in 2021, which established a global framework aimed at ensuring that AI development and deployment remain grounded in human rights, human dignity, fairness, transparency and inclusion.
UNESCO’s latest efforts seek to address the unequal and potentially harmful impacts of advanced technologies on societies while promoting safer, more equitable and inclusive approaches to the development and use of AI.
Against this backdrop, Riyadh will host the fourth edition of the UNESCO Global Forum on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence from September 14 to 17, 2026, marking a significant milestone in the international debate over AI governance and ethical technological development.
The forum is being jointly organized by UNESCO, the Saudi Data & AI Authority (SDAIA), and the International Center for AI Research and Ethics (ICAIRE). Saudi Arabia will become the first Arab country to host the UNESCO Global Forum on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, with representatives from around 95 countries expected to participate.
The Riyadh gathering is set to serve as one of the leading international platforms for advancing dialogue on responsible AI governance, bringing together policymakers, technology experts, researchers and other stakeholders to exchange experiences, expertise and best practices.
The forum will explore practical approaches to harnessing AI as a tool for sustainable development, economic opportunity and societal prosperity, while addressing the ethical challenges emerging from increasingly sophisticated AI technologies.
Over four days, discussions will focus on key areas including AI ethics and governance, capacity building, responsible innovation and international policy frameworks.
The programme will also feature high-level sessions and specialized workshops showcasing emerging international initiatives, national experiences and innovative approaches to ethical AI governance.
Leading experts and policymakers from around the world are expected to contribute to the discussions, providing perspectives on how countries can develop effective governance mechanisms while ensuring that technological progress remains aligned with societal interests and fundamental human values.
The Riyadh forum comes at a time when AI is rapidly transforming economies, public services, education, healthcare, information ecosystems and the global labour market, while raising increasingly urgent questions concerning accountability, privacy, discrimination, misinformation and equitable access to technological benefits.
By bringing diverse countries and stakeholders together, the forum aims to strengthen international cooperation and contribute to a more coherent global approach to AI governance.
Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the forum also reflects the Kingdom’s growing role in international discussions on data, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, as well as its broader efforts to position itself as a regional and global hub for AI innovation and responsible technological development.
The Riyadh edition is therefore expected to provide an important platform for bridging technological innovation with ethical safeguards and for advancing international cooperation towards an AI future that is human-centred, inclusive, responsible and sustainable.
