Prince Badr: UNESCO forum reinforces Saudi Arabia’s global leadership in ethical AI

Riyadh — Prince Badr bin Abdullah, Minister of Culture, declared that Saudi Arabia’s organization of the fourth UNESCO Global Forum on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence (GFEAI 2026) highlights the nation’s prominent role in promoting global discourse on cutting-edge technologies. This demonstration of commitment to the ethical and responsible application of artificial intelligence serves humanity and advances sustainable development.

Co-hosted by UNESCO and the Kingdom, represented by the Saudi Data & AI Authority (SDAIA) and the International Centre for AI Research and Ethics (ICAIRE), the forum will take place in Riyadh from September 14 to 17, 2026. The event aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Year of Artificial Intelligence and runs concurrently with the Global AI Summit 2026.

Prince Badr emphasized that the collaboration between SDAIA and UNESCO, alongside ICAIRE, sets a precedent for international cooperation in creating policies and practices concerning artificial intelligence ethics. This partnership also facilitates the sharing of knowledge and capacity building among nations. As president of the Saudi National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, Prince Badr expressed his commitment to backing national endeavors that bolster the Kingdom’s standing in international bodies and enhance cooperation with UNESCO in crucial domains.

He highlighted that hosting the forum in Riyadh underscores Saudi Arabia’s burgeoning importance as a global platform for high-caliber international projects and fosters its standing as a hub for dialogue and cooperation in data and artificial intelligence. This effort aligns with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 and contributes to shaping a more responsible, inclusive, and sustainable digital future.