ICAN 2026 , concluded on Thursday in Riyadh. This event marked a significant milestone in the Kingdom's digital transformation journey. Hosted by King Saud University in strategic partnership with Elm Company and knowledge partnership with the Human Capability Development Program, the conference attracted over 30,000 participants and visitors.
Strategic context: Artificial intelligence and Vision 2030
The ICAN 2026 conference comes at a time when Saudi Arabia is witnessing unprecedented technological advancements, aligned with the goals of Vision 2030 , which places data and artificial intelligence at the heart of the national economic diversification plans. Through these conferences, the Saudi Data & Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) is working to solidify the Kingdom's position as a global hub for technology and innovation, where artificial intelligence is no longer merely a technological tool, but a fundamental pillar for enhancing government efficiency and improving quality of life.
The conference's strong momentum reflects the Kingdom's commitment to developing human capital, which was clearly demonstrated by the participation of more than 50 local and international entities, and the presence of a select group of global experts to discuss the future of the workforce in the data age.
Conference outcomes: Quality initiatives and global partnerships
The conference witnessed significant practical activity, including the announcement of seven key initiatives and the signing of 27 strategic agreements . These outcomes focused on bridging the gap between university education and the evolving needs of the labor market. Among the most prominent initiatives launched were:
- The "Samai 2" initiative: In partnership with 11 ministries, to empower government sector employees with artificial intelligence tools to increase productivity.
- “Smart X” platform: A national platform for capacity building in cooperation with technology giants such as Microsoft, IBM, AWS and Oracle.
- National Standards Frameworks: Launching the second edition of the academic and professional standards to control the quality of education and training in this field.
A revolution in education and technical training
40 specialized academic programs was announced, distributed across 14 public and private universities. These programs include master's degrees, bachelor's degrees, and professional diplomas, in addition to the adoption of a mandatory national curriculum for university students in various disciplines, ensuring that the next generation is equipped with the necessary digital skills regardless of their academic background.
Expected economic and social impact
These agreements and initiatives are expected to create thousands of high-quality job opportunities for Saudi youth and enhance the competitiveness of national talent in the global market. Furthermore, the "Data and Artificial Intelligence Badges" initiative, launched to recognize outstanding data engineers and scientists, will foster a competitive environment conducive to innovation.
The conference concluded with honoring the partners in success and graduating a new batch from the "SDAIA" Academy, in addition to celebrating the winners of international competitions, which confirms that the Kingdom is moving steadily towards leading the technological scene in the region and the world.
