Riyadh: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) recently hosted a significant workshop titled 'Data and Artificial Intelligence in the Humanitarian and Development Sectors: A Saudi-UK Partnership for Leadership and Impact'. The event, held at KSrelief's headquarters on June 23-24, 2026, was a collaboration with the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD).
According to Saudi Press Agency, the workshop featured a diverse group of participants including KSrelief Director of Information Technology Eng. Tamim Al-Husain and UK Deputy Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Dr. Alice Burt. Experts from the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), and specialists from KSrelief, SFD, and FCDO were also in attendance.
The primary focus of the workshop was to address emerging trends and risks associated with artificial intelligence, facilitate knowledge exchange, and explore future cooperation opportunities between Saudi Arabia and the UK. The discussions aimed to harness AI for advancing humanitarian and development work.
The event underscored the significance of data and AI in leadership roles within the humanitarian and development sectors. Participants reviewed practical applications of AI in various areas such as humanitarian needs assessments, early warning systems, inclusion efforts, and demographic trend analysis. The workshop also examined AI governance and safeguards to ensure the safe and responsible use of these technologies.
Moreover, the workshop provided a platform for discussing Saudi Arabia's strategy to integrate technology into the humanitarian sector. The participants worked on developing a roadmap for the next round of strategic dialogue between Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom, aiming to strengthen cooperation and coordination in the field of data and AI.
The event was part of ongoing efforts to enhance collaboration between Saudi Arabia and the UK, aiming to improve humanitarian, relief, and development initiatives through the effective use of modern technologies.