Saudi AI-Era Education Journey Anchored By Crown Prince Vision Drives National Transformation

The International Conference on Data & AI Capacity Building (ICAN 2026) is gathering more than 10,000 participants at King Saud University in Riyadh, where global experts are discussing how education, skills and labour markets can adapt to a future economy shaped by data and AI technologies.

Specialised dialogue sessions and roundtable meetings on the opening day examine the future of education and work, the impact of swiftly evolving AI tools, and ways to match academic outcomes with labour-market needs, while also exploring how to develop future-ready skills that respond to rapid technological transformation.

The conference agenda is built around three central tracks that frame these discussions: building national capabilities in data and AI, reimagining education systems in light of data and AI advances, and preparing a workforce able to compete and contribute in a data- and AI-driven economy across key sectors.

Experts from technology companies, universities, research centres and human development organisations are sharing local and international experiences in using data and AI to empower people, enhance institutional performance and support innovation in vital fields, including education, economic development and public services, reflecting diverse approaches adopted across different countries.

Minister of Education and King Saud University Board Chairman Yousef Al-Benyan delivered the keynote address, explaining that Saudi Arabia’s push to integrate AI into education is rooted in the vision of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, which places human capability development at the centre of national transformation.

Al-Benyan underlined that recent AI progress worldwide has been exceptional, yet access to tools is no longer the main barrier, stating that the core challenge for countries is securing human and institutional capacity that can convert AI’s technical potential into real value for societies, economies and development plans.

ICAN 2026 data and AI partnerships

ICAN 2026 runs over two days at King Saud University and is organised by the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA), with King Saud University as the academic partner, the Human Capability Development Program as the knowledge partner, and Elm company as the strategic partner supporting implementation and coordination.

The opening ceremony was attended by Minister of Education Yousef Al-Benyan, Saudi Data and AI Authority President Abdullah Alghamdi and a wide range of dignitaries, experts and specialists from Saudi Arabia and abroad, reflecting strong institutional interest in building data and AI skills across education systems and the wider workforce.

During the keynote, Al-Benyan stressed the importance of investing in people as countries adopt AI, saying, "He stressed that leadership in AI is not achieved by importing models, but by building minds." He added that ICAN 2026 offers a global platform to address how sustainable capabilities can be built for a future led by data and AI.

Across its sessions, ICAN 2026 is positioning Riyadh as a hub for dialogue on data and AI capacity building, while supporting Saudi Arabia’s wider plans to advance human capability development, encourage effective use of emerging technologies and align education, training and employment policies with the demands of an AI-enabled global economy.

With inputs from SPA