ICAN 2026 AI Conference: Saudi Arabia’s Roadmap for Youth
The Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA) is set to launch the International Conference on AI Capacity Building, known as the ICAN 2026 AI Conference, at the end of this month in Riyadh. This landmark event will bring together experts, specialists, and decision-makers from over 50 local and international entities. The conference represents a pivotal moment in the Kingdom’s journey to empower its citizens and redraw the map of the labor market through advanced education and cutting-edge technologies, aligning with the rapid global developments in data and artificial intelligence to build a future that accommodates the ambitions of future generations.
Empowering the Next Generation through the ICAN 2026 AI Conference
Under the leadership of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince, Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of SDAIA, Saudi Arabia is moving confidently toward a historic transformation. The ICAN 2026 AI Conference stands at the forefront of this movement, serving as an international platform to redefine the concepts of work and human capacity building. As global markets anticipate a surge in demand for skills related to big data, cybersecurity, and analytical thinking, this conference provides the necessary tools for the Saudi workforce to adapt and lead.
The event offers a unique opportunity for major global technology companies, international organizations, and academics to explore the latest human achievements in harnessing AI for the benefit of humanity. For the youth, it serves as a window into the future of education and employment, demonstrating how AI can be integrated into university curricula and professional practices. Interested participants can register through the official SDAIA portal to join this transformative experience.
Strategic Partnerships and Global Expertise
Organized at the King Saud University headquarters in Riyadh, the ICAN 2026 AI Conference features an academic partnership with King Saud University, a knowledge partnership with the Human Capability Development Program, and a strategic partnership with Elm Company. The agenda includes high-level panel discussions featuring international experts and workshops focused on human development through education. These sessions will highlight how the Saudi educational system is successfully adopting AI technologies to foster a new generation of innovators.
“The conference is a birth of a new phase where the concepts of work and education are reshaped under the umbrella of Saudi Vision 2030, which puts people first.”
SDAIA Official Statement
Reshaping the Future of Work by 2030
The ICAN 2026 AI Conference will diagnose the radical shifts characterizing the essential skills of the global workforce by 2030. With the acceleration of digital transformation, the conference adopts an analytical vision to understand the impact of AI across different sectors. By discussing these variations, the event aims to formulate a roadmap that enables human cadres to keep pace with the future of work, ensuring that Saudi Arabia remains a global leader in the data-driven economy. This integration of technical progress and human ambition confirms that the Kingdom is not just building a digital economy, but a promising generation that will be the hallmark of future intelligence production.
