UNESCO AI Ethics Forum Opens in Riyadh, Calling for Practical Governance

Riyadh (ANTARA) - The 4th Global Forum on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence (AI) opened in Riyadh on Tuesday (15/9).

During the forum, delegates discussed efforts to align AI development with regulations regarding safety and responsibility. Organised jointly by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and Saudi Arabia, the forum, which is scheduled to run until Thursday (1t/9), brings together government officials, technology company representatives, as well as experts and researchers.

“AI is evolving at an unprecedented speed, while governance efforts struggle to keep pace,” said Asa Regner, UNESCO Deputy Director-General, during the forum’s opening.

Abdullah bin Sharaf Alghamdi, President of the Saudi Data and AI Authority, stated during the opening ceremony that nations should implement AI governance based on shared principles, while aligning policies with their respective national priorities and cultural contexts.

Regner emphasised the need for stronger global cooperation and equitable participation in AI governance, adding that the forum would examine ways to transform AI ethical principles into practical implementation.

“We need to work together, turn shared principles into action, and ensure that AI governance is inclusive, accountable, and human-centric,” she said.

Since its establishment in 2022, this forum has brought together global stakeholders from various governments, academia, civil society, and the private sector to foster dialogue and cooperation regarding ethical AI governance.