Riyadh: The International Conference on Data and AI Capacity Building (ICAN 2026) opened Wednesday at King Saud University in Riyadh, organized by the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA).
According to Saudi Press Agency, the two-day conference is held in academic partnership with King Saud University, knowledge partnership with the Human Capability Development Program, and strategic partnership with Elm company. It brings together leading technology firms, international experts, and specialists in education, human development, and AI from around the world.
Minister of Education and King Saud University Board Chairman Yousef Al-Benyan and SDAIA President Abdullah Alghamdi attended the conference opening, alongside other dignitaries, experts, and specialists. In his keynote speech, Al-Benyan emphasized that Saudi Arabia's education journey into the AI era stems from the ambitious 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 heart of the Kingdom's national transformation. He stressed that leadership in AI is not achieved by importing models, but by building minds.
In recent years, the world has witnessed exceptional advances in AI, the minister said, stressing 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 highlighted that ICAN 2026 provides a global platform to answer a critical question: how to build sustainable capabilities ready for a future driven by data and AI. The conference focuses on three main tracks: building national capacities in data and AI, reimagining education in the context of data and AI, and preparing a workforce for a data- and AI-driven economy.
The opening ceremony drew more than 10,000 participants from Saudi Arabia and around the world, featuring specialized dialogue sessions and roundtable meetings on the future of human capability development in data and AI. Discussions showcased leading local and international experiences in empowering people through technology and fostering innovation in vital sectors. Sessions on the opening day addressed topics including the future of education and work amid rapidly evolving AI technologies, aligning educational outcomes with labor-market needs, and developing future-ready skills to keep pace with these transformations.