UNESCO chief praises Saudi partnership, welcomes efforts on ethical AI

UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Anany expressed his appreciation for the ongoing partnership between the organization and Saudi Arabia, welcoming the Kingdom’s efforts to advance ethical artificial intelligence.

El-Anany said: “The Global Forum on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, which Saudi Arabia will host in Riyadh from September 14 to 17, 2026, represents an opportunity to mobilize international cooperation and help ensure that global AI governance keeps pace with innovation.” He stressed that no country can achieve this alone, especially as artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming societies.

He added that five years after UNESCO member states adopted the first global standard on AI ethics—the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence—countries around the world are increasingly translating its ethical principles into concrete policies, strategies, and institutions. He emphasized that ethics is not only about preventing harm, but also about ensuring that AI serves humanity, supports sustainable development, and contributes to the public good.