Riyadh is preparing to host the fourth Global Forum on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence 2026 from 14 to 17 September, an international event organized by UNESCO and held for the first time in the Arab region, with broad participation from decision-makers, experts and specialists in AI and technology.

The forum brings together ministers and officials responsible for technology and AI, policymakers, leaders of technology companies, representatives of international organizations, researchers and experts, with the aim of moving the global conversation on AI ethics from general principles to practical policies and frameworks that ensure the safe and responsible use of modern technology.

It comes amid the rapid spread of AI and its growing influence on vital sectors including the economy, education, health, media and the labor market, raising new challenges around balancing the promise of technological innovation with the protection of human rights, privacy and dignity.

Participants will address the leading issues in responsible AI, chief among them algorithmic bias, discrimination, safety, privacy and the digital divide, with an emphasis on international cooperation given the gap between countries and communities in their capacity to develop AI and share in its benefits.

The discussion builds on UNESCO's Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, adopted by member states in 2021, which places people, their rights and their dignity at the heart of AI development and use, and affirms the principles of fairness, non-discrimination, accountability and safety.

The forum is co-organized by the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA) in partnership with the International Center for AI Research and Ethics (ICAIRE), under the auspices of UNESCO and in coordination with the Saudi National Commission for Education, Culture and Science.

Riyadh's hosting provides an international platform to examine the future of AI governance, bringing governments, international organizations, the private sector and the research community into one space to share expertise, discuss regulatory and ethical challenges, and explore paths toward international consensus on the responsible use of these technologies.

Over four days the forum covers a set of core themes: AI ethics and governance, capacity building, responsible innovation and international policy, alongside international models and experiences in developing regulatory and ethical frameworks.

The agenda includes more than 30 specialized sessions and workshops with over 100 speakers from around the world, examining how policy and regulation can keep pace with the speed of AI development and how countries can deploy the technology fairly, safely and sustainably.

The forum's outcomes carry growing weight as AI's global impact widens. Participants aim to shape visions and policies that transcend national borders, support a fairer sharing of the technology's benefits, and strengthen the readiness of countries and communities for the changes AI is bringing.

Hosting the event reflects Saudi Arabia's growing presence in the global debate on AI governance and ethics, and its commitment to helping shape the future of technology in a way that supports sustainable development while preserving rights, freedoms and human dignity.