Saudi Arabia to Host UNESCO Global AI Ethics Forum in Riyadh as Kingdom Deepens AI Diplomacy
The fourth edition of the UNESCO Global Forum on the Ethics of AI will take place in Riyadh in September 2026, underscoring Saudi Arabia’s expanding role in global AI governance discussions
The UNESCO Global Forum on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, an international policy platform focused on regulating and guiding the development of AI systems, will hold its fourth edition in Riyadh in September 2026, marking a further expansion of Saudi Arabia’s role in global technology governance.
The event is scheduled to take place from September 14 to September 17, 2026, in collaboration with Saudi Arabia’s Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority and the UNESCO-backed International Center for AI Research and Ethics based in Riyadh.
The forum is part of a recurring series established by UNESCO to advance its 2021 Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, the organization’s first global standard on AI governance.
What is confirmed is that the Riyadh edition will bring together policymakers, researchers, and industry representatives to discuss how governments can regulate AI while encouraging innovation, with a focus on issues such as transparency, accountability, and the societal impact of rapidly evolving AI systems.
Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the forum follows a broader strategy by the kingdom to position itself as a regional hub for artificial intelligence development and governance.
Riyadh has in recent years invested heavily in AI infrastructure and policy institutions, while also seeking closer cooperation with international organizations working on digital governance frameworks.
UNESCO’s Global Forum on the Ethics of AI has previously been held in cities including Prague, Kranj, and Bangkok, and is designed as a recurring venue for governments and experts to compare regulatory approaches and share implementation experiences related to AI ethics standards.
The Riyadh event is also expected to align with other major Saudi-led AI initiatives scheduled for 2026, including a global AI summit hosted in the capital during the same period, reflecting the country’s attempt to consolidate multiple international technology gatherings within its expanding digital policy agenda.
What remains unclear is the extent to which the forum will produce binding policy outcomes or whether it will function primarily as a consultative platform, as has been the case with previous editions focused on voluntary international coordination rather than enforceable regulation.
The event is scheduled to take place from September 14 to September 17, 2026, in collaboration with Saudi Arabia’s Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority and the UNESCO-backed International Center for AI Research and Ethics based in Riyadh.
The forum is part of a recurring series established by UNESCO to advance its 2021 Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, the organization’s first global standard on AI governance.
What is confirmed is that the Riyadh edition will bring together policymakers, researchers, and industry representatives to discuss how governments can regulate AI while encouraging innovation, with a focus on issues such as transparency, accountability, and the societal impact of rapidly evolving AI systems.
Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the forum follows a broader strategy by the kingdom to position itself as a regional hub for artificial intelligence development and governance.
Riyadh has in recent years invested heavily in AI infrastructure and policy institutions, while also seeking closer cooperation with international organizations working on digital governance frameworks.
UNESCO’s Global Forum on the Ethics of AI has previously been held in cities including Prague, Kranj, and Bangkok, and is designed as a recurring venue for governments and experts to compare regulatory approaches and share implementation experiences related to AI ethics standards.
The Riyadh event is also expected to align with other major Saudi-led AI initiatives scheduled for 2026, including a global AI summit hosted in the capital during the same period, reflecting the country’s attempt to consolidate multiple international technology gatherings within its expanding digital policy agenda.
What remains unclear is the extent to which the forum will produce binding policy outcomes or whether it will function primarily as a consultative platform, as has been the case with previous editions focused on voluntary international coordination rather than enforceable regulation.
