SDAIA opens registration for the ICAN 2026 Artificial Intelligence Conference
The Saudi Data & Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) has announced the opening of registration for participation in the upcoming International Conference on Building Capabilities in Data and Artificial Intelligence (ICAN 2026). SDAIA has extended an invitation to all specialists, academics, and those interested in future technologies, both within and outside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to join this global event, which will be held in Riyadh.
Date and venue of the ICAN 2026 conference
The conference is scheduled to take place from January 28th to 29th, 2026, at King Saud University, which will host this major technological gathering. The university's selection as the venue underscores the pivotal role of prestigious educational institutions in fostering innovation and bridging the gap between theory and practice in advanced technology fields.
Conference objectives and strategic context
This conference is being held at a time when the Kingdom is witnessing unprecedented technological advancements, in line with the goals of Vision 2030, which prioritizes digital transformation and building a data-driven economy. The conference primarily aims to:
- Reviewing the latest global practices in teaching and training human resources on artificial intelligence technologies.
- Bridging the gap between educational outputs and the rapidly growing labor market needs in the data sector.
- To enhance the Kingdom's position as a leading global hub in the field of data and artificial intelligence.
The event is of particular importance given its focus on “capacity building,” the human element that is the primary driver of any successful technological transformation, going beyond simply importing technology to localizing knowledge and developing national minds.
Quality strategic partnerships
To ensure the conference yielded the best results, SDAIA worked on building an integrated partnership system that includes:
- Academic partnership: with King Saud University, to provide a solid scientific and research dimension.
- Knowledge partnership: with the Human Capacity Development Program (one of the Vision Realization Programs), to ensure that the conference outputs are aligned with national strategies for developing competencies.
- Strategic partnership: with Elm, a leader in digital solutions, to provide an applied and industrial perspective.
Conference events and sessions
The conference will witness broad participation from experts representing more than 50 local and international entities. The schedule includes dialogue sessions discussing the future of jobs in the age of artificial intelligence, interactive workshops to develop technical skills, in addition to an accompanying technology exhibition showcasing the latest solutions and innovations in the field of digital education and smart transformation.
The event will also witness the signing of a number of strategic agreements and partnerships with prestigious international universities and institutions, and the launch of quality initiatives aimed at empowering young people and researchers in this vital field.
Registration link for the SDAIA conference
The Authority called on those wishing to take advantage of this exceptional opportunity to connect with global minds and develop their skills to register via the official conference website through the direct link , stressing that the conference represents an ideal platform for exchanging experiences and anticipating the future of artificial intelligence to serve humanity.
