UNESCO to Advance Global Dialogue on Ethical AI Use at Riyadh Forum
Riyadh, Thursday, August 27, 2026 — The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is intensifying its international efforts to advance dialogue on the responsible and ethical use of artificial intelligence (AI), as rapid technological development continues to create new social, economic and human rights challenges worldwide.
UNESCO’s efforts build on its 2021 Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, adopted with the participation of its 194 Member States. The framework seeks to ensure that the development and use of AI remain aligned with fundamental principles including human rights, human dignity, justice, transparency and inclusion.
According to UNESCO, international cooperation and coordinated strategies are essential to address the unequal and potentially harmful impacts of emerging technologies while making AI development safer, fairer and more inclusive.
Riyadh to Host UNESCO’s Fourth Global Forum on AI Ethics
Riyadh will host UNESCO’s Fourth Global Forum on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence from September 14 to 17, 2026. The event is expected to become an important milestone in the international debate over AI governance and ethical technological development.
The forum is being organized jointly by UNESCO, the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), and the International Center for AI Research and Ethics (ICAIRE). Saudi Arabia will become the first Arab country to host UNESCO’s global forum on AI ethics, with representatives from approximately 95 countries expected to attend.
Global Platform for Responsible AI Governance
The Riyadh forum will bring together policymakers, technology experts, researchers and other stakeholders to exchange expertise, experiences and best practices concerning responsible AI governance.
Participants will explore practical approaches to using AI as a tool for sustainable development, economic opportunity and social well-being, while also examining ethical challenges arising from increasingly advanced and complex AI technologies.
Key topics during the four-day forum will include:
- AI ethics and governance
- Capacity building and skills development
- Responsible innovation
- International policy frameworks
- Global cooperation on AI governance
The programme will also feature high-level sessions and specialized workshops highlighting national experiences, international initiatives and innovative approaches to ethical AI governance.
Balancing Technological Innovation with Human Values
Leading experts and policymakers from around the world are expected to discuss how governments can develop effective regulatory and administrative systems that ensure technological progress remains consistent with human values, societal interests and fundamental rights.
The forum comes as AI is rapidly transforming economies, public services, education, healthcare, information systems and global labour markets. At the same time, issues surrounding accountability, privacy, discrimination, misinformation and equal access to technological benefits have emerged as major global concerns.
Saudi Arabia’s Growing Role in AI
The hosting of the global forum reflects Saudi Arabia’s expanding role in international discussions on data, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. It also aligns with the Kingdom’s broader efforts to position itself as a regional and global hub for AI innovation, research and responsible technological development.
The Riyadh forum is expected to contribute to balancing technological innovation with ethical safeguards, strengthening international cooperation and shaping an AI future that is human-centred, inclusive, responsible and sustainable.