Saudi Arabia AI Era Education Journey Anchored In Crown Prince Vision

The International Conference on Data & AI Capacity Building (ICAN 2026) has opened at King Saud University in Riyadh, bringing together more than 10,000 participants to discuss how data and artificial intelligence can strengthen human capabilities, shape education systems, and support a labour market built around advanced technologies.

The two-day conference is organised by the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA) with King Saud University as academic partner, the Human Capability Development Program as knowledge partner, and Elm company as strategic partner, drawing technology firms, international experts, and specialists in education, human development, and AI.

ICAN 2026 centres on three core tracks that guide the agenda: building national capacities in data and AI, reimagining education in light of data and AI developments, and preparing a workforce suited to a data- and AI-driven economy, with discussions linking these themes to national transformation priorities in Saudi Arabia.

Opening day sessions examined how education and work may change as AI tools advance, how universities and training providers can align learning outcomes with labour-market needs, and which future skills are essential so students, graduates, and employees can keep pace with the rapid spread of data and AI applications.

Minister of Education and King Saud University Board Chairman Yousef Al-Benyan delivered the keynote address, attended by SDAIA President Abdullah Alghamdi and other dignitaries, where Al-Benyan linked Saudi Arabia’s education plans in the AI era to the national agenda led by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

Al-Benyan stated that Saudi Arabia’s push into AI education stems from an ambitious national vision "which places human capability development at the heart of the Kingdom’s national transformation." Al-Benyan added that "leadership in AI is not achieved by importing models, but by building minds," underlining the focus on people and institutions.

ICAN 2026 data and AI capacity building challenges and opportunities

Reflecting on global developments, the minister noted that AI has advanced at exceptional speed in recent years, yet argued that "the greatest global challenge is no longer access to technology itself, but rather accessing human and institutional capacities capable of translating AI’s potential into real societal value."

Al-Benyan described ICAN 2026 as a forum designed to respond to that challenge by offering "a global platform to answer a critical question: how to build sustainable capabilities ready for a future driven by data and AI." Dialogue sessions and roundtables highlighted local and international examples of empowering people through technology and encouraging innovation across key economic sectors.

The opening programme, reported by SPA at 23:37 local time (20:37 GMT), showed that Saudi Arabia and international partners are using ICAN 2026 to exchange expertise on data and AI capacity building, with the aim of strengthening human capability development, updating education models, and supporting a workforce ready for long-term technological change.

With inputs from SPA