UNESCO: Global Forum On The Ethics Of AI 2026

Echoing our contributing lead author role for the UNESCO Science Report and previous contributions to UNESCO's ethics frameworks, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia will host the Forum from 14 to 17 September 2026, convening 194 invited Member States, over 1,200 participants, and more than 100 speakers across 30-plus sessions. It aims to advance implementation of the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence through high-level dialogue, knowledge exchange and international cooperation on AI governance.

Related

• UNESCO: Science Report 8th Edition (2026)

• UNESCO’s AI Competency Frameworks

• UNESCO: Global MOOC On The Ethics of AI

• UNICEF: Data Governance For EdTech

• AIEOU: AI In Education, Oxford University

• NIST: Generative AI Profile (AI 600-1)

• NIST: AI Agent Standards Initiative

• NIST: CAISI, Barriers to AI Adoption

• WAICO: World AI Cooperation Organization

• LEAP: 2024 Edition

• Oman: AI Summit, 2nd Edition

• Kuwait: ATSN, Assistive Technologies For Special Needs

4th Global Forum On The Ethics Of AI 2026

Launched in 2022, the Global Forum has previously been hosted by the Czech Republic, Slovenia, and Thailand, with co-funding support from the European Union since 2024, positioning it as UNESCO's principal recurring platform for translating the 2021 Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence into practical governance across its 194 Member States. Each edition has brought together governments, international organizations, academia, industry, and civil society to exchange knowledge and regulatory experience across regions, with the explicit aim of fostering inclusive AI development while safeguarding human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Co-hosted by UNESCO and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by the Saudi Data & AI Authority (SDAIA) and the International Centre for AI Research and Ethics (ICAIRE), the 2026 edition is structured around seven high-level ministerial dialogues and plenaries, a closed-door Scientific Briefing and Ministerial Meeting, 21 expert panels, and two side events including awards, capacity-building sessions, and partnership launches. The plenary programme opens with remarks from SDAIA President Abdullah Alghamdi and UNESCO Deputy Director-General Åsa Regnér, followed by sessions marking five years of the Recommendation, regional cooperation across the Gulf, Africa, and Latin America, and dedicated dialogues on financing and partnerships for ethical AI governance, with ministers and senior officials from dozens of countries alongside representatives from ITU, ESCWA, ICESCO, and the Digital Cooperation Organization. The Forum coincides with Saudi Arabia's designation of 2026 as its Year of Artificial Intelligence, positioning Riyadh as a growing convening point for global AI ethics governance following the earlier Global AI Summit and LEAP editions hosted in the Kingdom.

References

¹ Economy Middle East. "LEAP 2024 Conference Concludes With $13.4 Billion in Investments." March 2024.

² GEC Newswire. "LEAP 2024 Breaks Its Own Record With 215,000 Visitors, 25% Jump in YoY Attendance." March 2024.

³ WIRED Middle East. "Yonah Welker Is Bridging Technological Frontiers in the Age of AI." 2024.

⁴ U.S.-Saudi Business Council. "LEAP 2024: Saudi Arabia Jumps Into the Global Data and Technology Industry." March 2024.

⁵ Wikipedia. "LEAP Tech Event." Accessed 2026.