A successful conclusion to the ICAN 2026 conference and confirmation of the Kingdom's leadership in artificial intelligence
The Saudi Data & Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) concluded the International Conference on Building Capabilities in Data and Artificial Intelligence (ICAN 2026), held in Riyadh in strategic partnership with leading organizations. The two-day conference witnessed a remarkable turnout of over 30,000 participants and broad participation from more than 50 local and international entities, reflecting the growing importance the Kingdom places on the advanced technology sector. The conference culminated in the launch of seven key initiatives and the signing of 27 strategic agreements, all aimed at accelerating digital transformation and building a knowledge-based and innovation-driven economy.
A key pillar of Saudi Vision 2030
This conference cannot be viewed in isolation from the broader context of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the national economy and reduce its dependence on oil. The data and artificial intelligence sector is a central pillar of this vision, as the Kingdom aspires to be among the world's leading nations in this field by 2030. Since its establishment in 2019, the Saudi Data & Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) has been working on developing national strategies and implementing initiatives to ensure the achievement of this ambitious goal. The ICAN 2026 conference serves as a vital platform for bringing together global expertise, showcasing national achievements, and forging partnerships that support the development of a skilled workforce capable of leading the future.
Quality initiatives to train national cadres
The conference saw the announcement of a package of initiatives targeting all stages of capacity building, from general education to continuing professional development. Among the most prominent of these initiatives are:
- The “Samai 2” initiative: In partnership with 11 ministries, to enable government sector employees to use artificial intelligence technologies responsibly and efficiently, thereby increasing productivity and service quality.
- Developing national frameworks: Launching the second version of the National Framework for Academic Program Standards and the National Framework for Professional Standards, to ensure that education and training outputs are aligned with the actual needs of the labor market.
- National Curriculum for Universities: Launching a unified national curriculum in data and artificial intelligence to be a mandatory course for all university majors, to provide all graduates with the basic skills in this digital age.
- “Azka X” platform: An integrated national platform for capacity building, offering training pathways in collaboration with global technology giants such as IBM, Microsoft, AWS, and Oracle, enabling national talents to obtain world-class certifications.
Expected local, regional, and international impact
These outcomes are expected to have a profound impact across various levels. Domestically, these initiatives will help bridge the gap between supply and demand in the technology job market, create quality jobs for Saudi youth, and accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence across different economic sectors. Regionally, these steps reinforce Saudi Arabia's position as a leading regional hub for technology and innovation, and a model to be emulated in the field of digital capacity building. Internationally, the signing of 27 agreements with global universities and companies underscores the Kingdom's openness to international cooperation and its attractiveness to global investments and talent, thus accelerating the achievement of its national objectives and solidifying its position as an active player in the global technology landscape.
The conference concluded with the honoring of strategic partners, the graduation of a new batch from the “SDAIA” Academy, and the honoring of employees who obtained international professional certificates, sending a strong message about appreciating national competencies and motivating them to achieve continuous excellence.
