Science and Technology / Head of SDAIA in Meeting with International Leaders in Geneva Affirms Kingdom's Support for Responsible Use of AI Technologies to Serve Humanity

Geneva, 23 Muharram 1448 AH corresponding to July 8, 2026, SPA — His Excellency the President of the Saudi Authority for Data and Artificial Intelligence (SDAIA), Dr. Abdullah bin Sharaf Al-Ghamdi, affirmed that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, under the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince, Prime Minister, and Chairman of SDAIA — may God protect him — is leading active international efforts to enhance AI governance and support the safe and responsible use of these advanced technologies to serve all of humanity and bridge digital gaps between countries. This came during a meeting today between His Excellency and the Director-General of the International Labour Organization, Gilbert F. Houngbo; the Vice President of the World Bank for Technology and AI, Sangbu Kim; and the Federal Minister for Digital Transformation of the Federal Republic of Germany, Dr. Karsten Vielberger, in the presence of the Permanent Representative of the Kingdom to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva, Ambassador Abdulmohsen bin Majid bin Khuthaila, on the sidelines of the Global Dialogue on AI Governance held in Switzerland. The meetings discussed ways to enhance joint international cooperation in the field of data and AI, reviewed mechanisms to establish clear frameworks for governing these technologies, and ensured their ethical and responsible adoption to serve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and reduce future risks to societies and the global labor market. His Excellency also reviewed Saudi Arabia’s initiatives to support AI governance and ethical use, notably the establishment of the International Center for AI Research and Ethics (ICAIRE) under the auspices of UNESCO in Riyadh, as a global beacon for developing ethical research and policies for emerging technologies. He noted that the Kingdom views AI as a strategic enabler for driving economic and social development, a driver of productivity and innovation, and supports entities in adopting AI responsibly through clear directives, risk management tools, maturity assessments, and accountability mechanisms that enhance trust while allowing room for innovation to expand. At the conclusion of the meetings, Dr. Abdullah Al-Ghamdi invited international leaders to attend the Fourth Global Forum on AI Ethics, organized by SDAIA in cooperation with UNESCO and the International Center (ICAIRE) in Riyadh from September 14 to 17, 2026, the Year of AI that the Kingdom is celebrating this year. // End // 02:00 T M 0019

Geneva, 23 Muharram 1448 AH corresponding to July 8, 2026, SPA — His Excellency the President of the Saudi Authority for Data and Artificial Intelligence (SDAIA), Dr. Abdullah bin Sharaf Al-Ghamdi, affirmed that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, under the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince, Prime Minister, and Chairman of SDAIA — may God protect him — is leading active international efforts to enhance AI governance and support the safe and responsible use of these advanced technologies to serve all of humanity and bridge digital gaps between countries. This came during a meeting today between His Excellency and the Director-General of the International Labour Organization, Gilbert F. Houngbo; the Vice President of the World Bank for Technology and AI, Sangbu Kim; and the Federal Minister for Digital Transformation of the Federal Republic of Germany, Dr. Karsten Vielberger, in the presence of the Permanent Representative of the Kingdom to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva, Ambassador Abdulmohsen bin Majid bin Khuthaila, on the sidelines of the Global Dialogue on AI Governance held in Switzerland. The meetings discussed ways to enhance joint international cooperation in the field of data and AI, reviewed mechanisms to establish clear frameworks for governing these technologies, and ensured their ethical and responsible adoption to serve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and reduce future risks to societies and the global labor market. His Excellency also reviewed Saudi Arabia’s initiatives to support AI governance and ethical use, notably the establishment of the International Center for AI Research and Ethics (ICAIRE) under the auspices of UNESCO in Riyadh, as a global beacon for developing ethical research and policies for emerging technologies. He noted that the Kingdom views AI as a strategic enabler for driving economic and social development, a driver of productivity and innovation, and supports entities in adopting AI responsibly through clear directives, risk management tools, maturity assessments, and accountability mechanisms that enhance trust while allowing room for innovation to expand. At the conclusion of the meetings, Dr. Abdullah Al-Ghamdi invited international leaders to attend the Fourth Global Forum on AI Ethics, organized by SDAIA in cooperation with UNESCO and the International Center (ICAIRE) in Riyadh from September 14 to 17, 2026, the Year of AI that the Kingdom is celebrating this year. // End // 02:00 T M 0019