Tech leaders to attend global AI summit in Saudi Arabia

Tech leaders from around the world will discuss pivotal themes about the use of artificial intelligence (AI) at the global AI summit (GAIN) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The conference is set to take place at the King Abdul Aziz International Conference Centre from September 10–12.

It will be hosted by the Saudi Data & Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA).

A statement issued on Wednesday by the organisers said discussions will centre on topics such as generative AI, AI in urban life, and the ethical governance of AI.

This, they said, will ensure a comprehensive discussion on the technology’s impact on society, business, and governance.

The summit will also feature high-profile sessions, including a debate on the future of artificial general intelligence (AGI), panel discussions on AI-powered precision medicine, and workshops on AI’s role in sustainable development and smart cities.

Top executives from Silicon Valley, Accenture, Oracle, Dell Technologies, Siemens, and Boston Dynamics; influential policymakers; and renowned AI researchers and specialists are expected at the third edition of the conference.

Some tech leaders among 300 speakers from over 100 countries who will lead discussions include Simon See, global head at Nvidia AI Technology Centre; Antony Cook, deputy general counsel at Microsoft; and Caroline Yap, global managing director at Google Cloud.

The third edition is being organised under the patronage of Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the crown prince, prime minister, and chairman of the board of directors of the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA).

“As we approach the third edition of the Global AI Summit, we stand poised at the threshold of a new era, where AI’s transformative power will be harnessed to explore AI through the lens of ‘now, next, never’—examining the current state of AI, its future trajectory, and the ethical considerations necessary to ensure a desirable future,” Abdullah bin Sharaf Alghamdi, SDAIA president, said.

“A future where the need for international collaboration to fully harness AI’s potential and manage its impact responsibly has never been more urgent.”

Alghamdi said Saudi Arabia is committed to advancing AI technologies that are beneficial to all of humanity.

Organisers said the conference would catalyse global AI innovation, provide networking opportunities, and see groundbreaking collaborations.