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Riyadh Hosts UNESCO Global Forum on AI Ethics with Participation from 194 Countries

Riyadh Hosts UNESCO Global Forum on AI Ethics with Participation from 194 Countries
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Riyadh Hosts UNESCO Global Forum on AI Ethics with Participation from 194 Countries

Riyadh Hosts UNESCO Global Forum on AI Ethics with Participation from 194 Countries

Riyadh will host the fourth edition of the UNESCO Global Forum on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence (GFEAI 2026) from September 14 to 17, bringing together a broad international community representing 194 countries. The forum will convene decision-makers, experts, academics, and representatives of international organizations, as well as public- and private-sector leaders from around the world.

GFEAI 2026 is organized by the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA) in partnership with UNESCO, and in cooperation with the International Center for AI Research and Ethics (ICAIRE), the Saudi Press Agency said on Friday.

GFEAI is one of the international platforms focused on AI ethics. The 2026 edition aims to strengthen global dialogue on responsible AI governance, facilitate the exchange of expertise and best practices, and explore ways to harness AI technologies to support sustainable development and promote societal prosperity.

Over four days, GFEAI 2026 is set to address key topics including AI ethics and governance, capacity building, responsible innovation and international policies, through high-level sessions and specialized workshops, bringing together experts and policymakers from around the world.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s hosting of GFEAI 2026 reflects its continued efforts to support the principles of AI ethics and strengthen AI governance at both the national and international levels, support multilateral cooperation in developing frameworks for the responsible and trustworthy use of emerging technologies, align with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, and strengthen the Kingdom’s contribution to shaping the future of AI globally.

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Riyadh Launches ‘Digital District’ to Bolster Status as Global Hub for Talent, Innovation

The initiative aims to strengthen Riyadh’s position as a global hub for technology talent and digital creativity. (SPA)
The initiative aims to strengthen Riyadh’s position as a global hub for technology talent and digital creativity. (SPA)
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Riyadh Launches ‘Digital District’ to Bolster Status as Global Hub for Talent, Innovation

The initiative aims to strengthen Riyadh’s position as a global hub for technology talent and digital creativity. (SPA)
The initiative aims to strengthen Riyadh’s position as a global hub for technology talent and digital creativity. (SPA)

The Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) announced Thursday the launch of the “Riyadh Digital District,” a strategic initiative designed to attract global technology talent, foster entrepreneurship and build a knowledge-based economy driven by digital leadership and technological innovation.

The initiative aims to strengthen Riyadh’s position as a global hub for technology talent and digital creativity and place it among the world’s top 10 technology districts, in line with Saudi Vision 2030.

Ibrahim bin Muhammad Al-Sultan, Minister of State, Cabinet member and CEO of the RCRC, said the initiative would help establish Riyadh as a global destination for technology companies, talent and digital entrepreneurship.

Al-Sultan expressed his gratitude to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for their support of the commission’s projects.

“This step reflects the leadership’s commitment to advancing the capital toward global leadership in promising future sectors,” he said, adding that it supports Vision 2030 goals of building a diversified and prosperous economy based on digital leadership and technological innovation.

The district will focus on attracting companies and specialized talent in six key fields: Artificial Intelligence and Big Data, Cybersecurity, Computing and Cloud Services, the Internet of Things (IoT), Blockchain Technologies, and Robotics and Unmanned Aerial Systems. These sectors account for the majority of global investments in technology innovation companies, highlighting their pivotal role in driving future growth and technological advancement.

Overseen by the RCRC, the Digital District is conceived as an integrated digital business ecosystem within Riyadh, bringing together technology companies, talent and investment.

It will provide a supportive technical and regulatory environment for global and regional technology companies and startups seeking to establish operations in Riyadh and expand across the Middle East and North Africa.

Companies will have access to dedicated spaces near technology firms and communities, as well as opportunities to collaborate with government agencies and the private sector.

The initiative also seeks to develop digital skills, attract investment and create sustainable jobs by helping companies build technology teams and expand their Riyadh operations.

Regular meetings and open events will bring together founders, engineers, researchers and investors to foster an active technology community.

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Once a Top Export, Prized Kashmir Carpet Fades

(FILES) Kashmiri craftswomen weave silk carpets at a factory in Srinagar on May 6, 2026. Tauseef MUSTAFA / AFP
(FILES) Kashmiri craftswomen weave silk carpets at a factory in Srinagar on May 6, 2026. Tauseef MUSTAFA / AFP
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Once a Top Export, Prized Kashmir Carpet Fades

(FILES) Kashmiri craftswomen weave silk carpets at a factory in Srinagar on May 6, 2026. Tauseef MUSTAFA / AFP
(FILES) Kashmiri craftswomen weave silk carpets at a factory in Srinagar on May 6, 2026. Tauseef MUSTAFA / AFP

It has survived wars and upheavals, but the famed handwoven Kashmir carpet industry is now battling a steady decline as younger generations abandon the painstaking craft.

Masterpieces woven from mulberry silk or pure sheep wool by artisans have adorned imperial courts, museums and luxury homes across the world over the centuries, said AFP.

The hand-spun yarn dyed in natural colors is woven on handlooms, packing in between 300 and several thousand knots per square inch, depending on the intricacy of the design.

Until the 1980s, carpets were Kashmir's top export, but volumes have since steadily declined, with wars in Ukraine and the Middle East the latest blows to the trade.

"It hurts me to see this," weaver Bashir Ahmad, 78, told AFP.

"If more young people had taken up this craft, they could have made a living from it."

But the long hours, low wages and changing aspirations have made the profession less attractive to younger Kashmiris.

A master weaver today earns only around 500 rupees ($5) a day, less than many unskilled laborers.

"There are no government jobs for everyone, and my child, or anyone else's child, could have taken up this work and tried to make a career out of it," said Ahmad.

"But things are no longer the same."

- Modern looms -

As they craft, artisans chant aloud the design code handwritten on a strip of paper known as talim -- shorthand of ancient symbols for numbers and colors -- knotting the threads string by string.

Depending upon the size and design of the carpet, a piece can take a group of artisans up to a year to weave. They can fetch $20,000 in the international market.

The art of fine carpet weaving was introduced in the Himalayan valley of Kashmir in the 15th century by Persian travelers, and received patronage during the reign of its last local king Zain-ul-Abidin Budshah.

The handicraft flourished in Srinagar and later spread to other towns and villages across Indian-administered Kashmir.

Despite the decline in volume of work, some weavers are determined to carry on with the beloved tradition.

"As long as I have the strength and the days ahead of me, I will continue doing this work," said Mushtaq Ahmad, 75, who has been weaving carpets for 50 years.

Industry estimates suggest the sector employs around 30,000 people, down sharply from hundreds of thousands three decades ago.

Officials say efforts are underway to modernize the sector and attract new workers.

"As part of those efforts, we are providing modern carpet looms free of cost," said Zubair Ahmad, director of the Indian Institute of Carpet Technology in Srinagar.

The government has also introduced "geographical indication" tags that help distinguish genuine Kashmiri carpets from cheap imitations.

"The idea is to ensure their authenticity because there was a trust deficit between buyers and sellers," director Ahmad said.

Varieties

Japan to Survey Animal Cafes over Hygiene, Welfare Concerns

A Japanese customer at a 'cat cafe' in Tokyo. TORU YAMANAKA / AFP/File
A Japanese customer at a 'cat cafe' in Tokyo. TORU YAMANAKA / AFP/File
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Japan to Survey Animal Cafes over Hygiene, Welfare Concerns

A Japanese customer at a 'cat cafe' in Tokyo. TORU YAMANAKA / AFP/File
A Japanese customer at a 'cat cafe' in Tokyo. TORU YAMANAKA / AFP/File

Japan plans to probe popular animal cafes, where visitors can interact with anything from cats to capybaras, following concerns about hygiene and the creatures' welfare, authorities said Thursday.

Japan has hundreds of the cafes where campaigners say animals are sometimes kept in cramped spaces, and that their popularity encourages the capture and illegal trade of rare wildlife.

A fact-finding survey will begin as early as next month, starting with obtaining basic facts such as the number of establishments and what animals they keep, an environment ministry official told AFP.

The ministry will examine whether they comply with relevant laws, including whether animals have enough space and how often cleaning takes place, said the official, without wishing to be named.

"We may then do on-site inspections if we find facilities that appear to be breaching rules" stipulated by the animal welfare law, he said.

The decision to launch the survey followed recommendations by members of an expert panel about animal welfare.

Animal welfare groups have long been alarmed by the cafes, where visitors can pet and play with a dizzying array of animals including micro-pigs, hedgehogs, owls and snakes.

A 2025 survey by World Wide Fund for Nature Japan said that some kept endangered species listed on the Red List of the International Union for Conservation.

They also included species covered by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, which regulates international trade in wildlife.

Some shops had inadequate hygiene management without nudging users to handwash after contact with animals, and its "microbiological testing detected pathogenic bacteria in multiple facilities", the report said.

"Whether the animals are otters, capybaras, raccoons, owls, reptiles, or other wild species, these businesses are built around close encounters that prioritize customer entertainment over the animals' needs," said Laila Imai, campaign coordinator in Asia of animal welfare group PETA.

"Many are subjected to constant handling, noise, flashing cameras, and interactions with strangers throughout the day," Imai said.

"What may appear charming to visitors can be stressful and unnatural for the animals forced to live that way."

Some animal cafes act as adoption centers, helping to find new homes for rescued cats and dogs.