ICAN 2026 Conference Concludes: Launch of 7 Artificial Intelligence Initiatives
The Saudi Data & Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) concluded its International Conference on Building Capabilities in Data and Artificial Intelligence (ICAN 2026) on Thursday at King Saud University in Riyadh. The conference witnessed a remarkable turnout of over 30,000 participants and visitors, reflecting broad international and local engagement and highlighting the Kingdom's growing prominence in the technology sector.
Strategic context and ambitious vision
The ICAN 2026 conference comes at a crucial time, coinciding with Saudi Arabia's accelerated progress towards achieving the goals of Vision 2030, which prioritizes digital transformation and artificial intelligence to diversify the national economy. Since the establishment of the Saudi Data & Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), the Kingdom has been working to build an integrated system aimed at making Riyadh a global hub for technology and innovation, with investment in human capital and building national capabilities being the cornerstones for ensuring the sustainability of this digital transformation.
Numbers and statistics from the heart of the event
The conference witnessed significant momentum with the participation of over 50 local and international entities, and hosted 64 speakers from among the world's leading experts, who enriched the discussions across 14 panel discussions and 15 practical workshops. The accompanying exhibition featured 23 booths showcasing the latest educational and technological solutions, providing an ideal platform for exchanging expertise between academic institutions and leading technology companies.
Quality initiatives to bridge the skills gap
The conference concluded with the launch of seven strategic initiatives and the signing of 27 agreements, all aimed at strengthening the Kingdom's knowledge infrastructure. Among the most prominent of these initiatives are:
- The "Samai 2" initiative: In partnership with 11 ministries, to enable the government workforce to use artificial intelligence tools to increase productivity.
- “Azka X” platform: A national platform for vocational training in cooperation with technology giants such as Microsoft, IBM and Oracle.
- National Standards Framework: Launching the second edition of academic and professional standards to control the quality of educational outputs.
Expected impact locally and internationally
The conference is expected to bring about a qualitative shift in the Saudi labor market through the launch of 40 academic programs across 14 universities, helping to bridge the gap between educational outputs and evolving market needs. Regionally and internationally, these partnerships with leading global companies reinforce the Kingdom's position as an attractive destination for talent and technology investments, and underscore its commitment to global standards in data governance and skills development.
Honoring Excellence and Partners
The ceremony concluded with the recognition of strategic partners, including King Saud University, the Human Capability Development Program, and Elm Company. More than 90 SDAIA employees who earned advanced professional certifications were also celebrated, along with the graduation of 106 students from the SDAIA Academy. Additionally, the winners of the global WAICY competition were honored, highlighting the Kingdom's commitment to fostering innovation among its youth.
