Under the patronage of His Majesty King Abdullah II, the International Conference on Capacity Building in Data and Artificial Intelligence (ICAN 2026) commenced today in Riyadh. Organized by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), the two-day conference is being held at King Saud University. This global event is a collaborative effort, with King Saud University serving as an academic partner, the Human Capability Development Program as a knowledge partner, and Elm Company as a strategic partner. It features broad participation from leading technology companies, international experts, and specialists in education and human development from around the world.
The opening ceremony was attended by His Excellency the Minister of Education, Chairman of the Board of Directors of King Saud University, Professor Yousef bin Abdullah Al-Bunyan, and His Excellency the President of the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), Dr. Abdullah bin Sharaf Al-Ghamdi, along with a number of dignitaries, experts and specialists.
Vision 2030: The primary driver of digital transformation
In his opening remarks, Minister of Education Yousef Al-Bunyan affirmed that the Kingdom's journey towards the era of artificial intelligence is driven by an ambitious vision spearheaded by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. He explained that this vision places human capital development at the heart of the national transformation, emphasizing that true leadership in artificial intelligence is not achieved by importing ready-made models, but rather by building national minds capable of innovation and leadership.
This conference is a practical step within the broader strategic framework of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the economy and build a vibrant, knowledge-based, and innovative society. Since the launch of the Vision, the Kingdom has given considerable attention to digital transformation, culminating in the establishment of the Saudi Data & Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) in 2019. SDAIA serves as the national umbrella and primary reference for all matters related to data and artificial intelligence, leading efforts to achieve global leadership in this field by 2030.
Capacity building: From a global challenge to a national opportunity
Al-Bunyan noted that the world has witnessed exceptional developments in artificial intelligence, emphasizing that the greatest challenge is no longer access to the technology, but rather building the human and institutional capacities capable of transforming its potential into real societal and economic value. The ICAN 2026 conference provides a global platform to discuss ways to build sustainable and future-ready capabilities through three main themes: building national capacities, reimagining education in light of new technologies, and preparing the workforce for the economy of the future.
For his part, Edward Byrne, President of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), explained that the global gap is widening between possessing technologies and the ability to effectively utilize them, emphasizing that capacity building must be at the heart of any serious national strategy. Similarly, Paris Teltazar, Director General of the Innovation Lab at IE Business School in Spain, affirmed that artificial intelligence represents a tremendous opportunity to enhance critical thinking skills if it is employed as a tool to support human endeavors, not as a replacement for them.
Local and regional impact: Saudi Arabia as a hub for innovation
The impact of this conference extends beyond the local level, solidifying the Kingdom's position as a regional leader in technology and innovation. Locally, the conference contributes to aligning educational outcomes with the demands of the future labor market and encourages Saudi youth to engage in data and artificial intelligence fields, thus supporting the goals of the Human Capital Development Program. Regionally, the Kingdom presents an inspiring model for other countries in the region on how to build a comprehensive national AI strategy based on developing local talent.
The first day of the conference, attended by more than 10,000 people, featured specialized dialogue sessions and the signing of agreements and memoranda of understanding between government and academic entities to enhance integration in capacity building. Attendees also toured the accompanying exhibition, which included more than 20 booths showcasing the latest technological and educational solutions, reflecting the rapid progress the Kingdom is witnessing in this vital sector.
