Creative Summit 2026 to be held at JAX District in Riyadh this October

Saudi Arabia’s flagship creativity festival, Creative Summit, will return for its third edition at JAX District in Riyadh from October 3 to 5, 2026, as part of a strategic partnership between the two entities at one of the Kingdom’s premier cultural and creative destinations.

This year’s edition is themed “Behind Every Intelligence... a Human,” addressing one of the most pressing issues in today’s creative industries: the relationship between humans and artificial intelligence amid rapid technological advancement and its growing impact on work and production.

Through its theme, Creative Summit emphasizes that technology, no matter how advanced, remains a powerful tool but cannot replace the human spirit, intuition, creativity, or the experiences that shape ideas and stories.

Building on this vision, Creative Summit 2026 will go beyond general discussions to focus on practical tools and in-depth dialogues about integrating AI into creative industries, achieving sustainability, and offering actionable business solutions.

The choice of JAX District as the venue highlights its central role in Saudi Arabia’s creative and cultural scene, serving as a hub for leaders, creators, practitioners, and institutions across diverse creative fields.

The partnership between Creative Summit and JAX District also aims to connect Saudi Arabia’s creative economy community with regional agencies and global market leaders, providing a space for creators, decision-makers, and experts to exchange knowledge, collaborate, and build meaningful professional relationships.

Mai Salama, co-founder of Creative Summit, said: “We are delighted to host the festival in Riyadh, and there is no place we would rather hold Creative Summit than JAX District. JAX is not just a venue for events—it is the heartbeat of Saudi Arabia’s cultural and artistic renaissance.”

She added: “By bringing together the region’s creative economy community under the festival’s umbrella, we are building a space for dialogue, connection, and knowledge exchange. This year’s edition is especially meaningful to us, as the theme ‘Behind Every Intelligence... a Human’ is a clear reminder that our humanity remains our greatest asset in a world increasingly focused on algorithms and automation.”

She continued: “This year, we gather to celebrate leaders, creators, investors, entrepreneurs, filmmakers, and professionals across the creative industries.”

Aya AlBakri, CEO of the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, said: “JAX District is home to a growing community of leaders and creatives working across art, design, media, and crafts. Creative Summit brings together professionals from the creative industries, enabling direct dialogue within the very ecosystem that supports their work year-round.”

She added: “We are pleased to welcome Creative Summit to JAX District for the second year and look forward to the new ideas and networking opportunities the three days will bring.”

Over its 13-year presence in the regional creative scene, Creative Summit has empowered individuals, developed businesses, and supported the growth of the creative economy, leaving a significant mark on several industries across the Middle East and North Africa.

Previous editions of Creative Summit have achieved over 280 million digital impressions and helped build a broad regional creative community with thousands of speakers and hundreds of thousands of attendees. Last year’s edition alone set a record with 21,000 visitors over three days.