Global AI Show Riyadh 2026: Your Complete Guide to the Middle East’s Premier AI Event

December 31, 2025
rafiulrony-Bloglass
Written By Rafi

Hey, I’m Rafi — a tech lover with a Computer Science background and a passion for making AI simple and useful.

Date: February 9-10, 2026

Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Theme: AI 2030: Accelerating Intelligent Futures

Global AI Show Riyadh 2026 brings together 10,000 professionals, 250 speakers, and 200 exhibitors. The VAP Group and Times of AI host a conference on how AI will change societies, economies, and industries in the next decade.

Core Focus Areas

The event is called “AI 2030: Accelerating Intelligent Futures.” It will look at how artificial intelligence will change our world. There are eight dedicated tracks:

  1. AI Vision 2030: Saudi Arabia aims for a global AI revolution.
  2. AI Leadership: Major decisions weigh innovation, risk, and national goals.
  3. AI Health-Tech: AI assists in surgery and predicts healthcare outcomes.
  4. AI Governance & Responsible AI: Focus on ethics, fairness, and data privacy.
  5. AI Gov-Tech: Guides for government procurement and smart city growth.
  6. AI Cyber-Tech: Emphasizing sovereign data, resilience, and security in AI.
  7. AI Growth-Tech: Strategies for investment and AI-driven economic growth.

Notable Speakers & AI Visionaries

The speaker list features top leaders in global AI. They come from government, academia, industry, and innovation.

Government & Policy Leaders

Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti – Head of Cyber Security Council, UAE Government

Dr. Al Kuwaiti is a leading expert in AI-driven national security. He led the UAE’s rapid rise in cybersecurity rankings and oversees national cyberspace defense. His expertise helps countries develop comprehensive cybersecurity strategies that incorporate AI, cloud, and big data.

Hoda AlKhazaimi – Co-Chair, Global Future Council, World Economic Forum

As President of Emirates Digital Association for Women and CEO of Women in Artificial Intelligence (MENA), AlKhazaimi promotes the development of inclusive AI. She empowers women to harness AI for driving positive social change.

Healthcare & Innovation Pioneers

Professor Shafi Ahmed – Renowned Surgeon, Futurist, and CEO of Medical Realities

Professor Ahmed is a top surgeon and futurist. He looks at how AI can change surgery and medical training. His work drives innovation in patient-centered healthcare.

John Nosta – Leading Innovation Theorist, Founder of NOSTALAB

Nosta is a prominent thinker at the intersection of AI, technology, and medicine, providing strategic insights on how innovation reshapes healthcare delivery .

Prof. James Ehrlich – Director of Compassionate Sustainability, Stanford University School of Medicine

A Stanford faculty member and NASA Ames Research Center Senior Fellow, Ehrlich applies AI and machine learning to design climate-resilient, regenerative communities through his VillageOS™ platform .

AI & Data Executives

Janet Adams – COO and Board Director, SingularityNET/ASI

Adams brings deep expertise in decentralized AI networks and artificial general intelligence (AGI) implementations .

Jeanie Fang – Director of Data & AI, Crunchbase

Fang offers practical insights on data-driven AI innovation and scalable intelligence solutions for enterprises .

The speaker lineup also includes regional leaders like Dr. Ibraheem Sheerah, Nezar Al Turki, Adel Thuwayi, and Akram Nour, ensuring a balanced global-local perspective .

Why You Should Attend: 5 Compelling Reasons

1. Unparalleled Networking Opportunities

This event connects people. It offers AI matchmaking, pre-booked meetings, and networking zones. You’ll meet top decision-makers, including 38% C-level, director, or VP-level executives, and 8% from government.

2. Gain Strategic Insights for the AI Decade

Sessions address C-suite concerns like balancing innovation with risk and aligning AI strategy with national priorities. You’ll learn to develop AI procurement playbooks and implement responsible AI frameworks.

3. Experience Cutting-Edge Applications Firsthand

AI transforms healthcare with predictive diagnostics and co-pilots in surgical rooms. The event features real implementations, not just concepts, with interactive demos and hands-on workshops to test emerging technologies.

4. Access Government & Investment Channels

The show features strong participation from Saudi Arabia’s government, family offices, and HNIs. It opens doors to public-private partnerships and capital. Startups pitch to investors in tailored competitions. Meanwhile, enterprises can look into government contracts and regulatory sandboxes.

5. Shape the Future of Responsible AI

AI governance and ethics tracks tackle today’s big challenges. As AI spreads, we need these frameworks to sustain trust and growth. The event seeks a balance between innovation and responsibility.

Who Should Attend: Target Audience Breakdown

The Global AI Show is designed for a diverse ecosystem of stakeholders, each finding unique value:

For Technology Professionals & Researchers

Senior Data Scientists & Engineers: Explore applied AI frameworks, machine learning advances, and technical implementation strategies

AI Researchers: Engage with cutting-edge applications and bridge the gap between theory and practice

Academics (Professors, PhDs): Connect with industry for research partnerships and funding opportunities

For Business Leaders & Decision-Makers

C-Level Executives (CEO, CIO, CTO, CDO, CISO): Gain strategic insights on billion-dollar AI decisions and enterprise-scale implementation

Directors/VPs: Understand how to balance innovation with risk and lead AI transformation initiatives

SME Leaders: Learn practical guides to scaling intelligence and competing with larger enterprises

For Government & Public Sector

Policymakers & Regulators: Develop procurement playbooks and governance frameworks for responsible AI deployment

Smart City Planners: Explore AI’s role in urban innovation and citizen services

National Security Professionals: Understand sovereign AI strategies and digital resilience

For Investors & Entrepreneurs

Investors & VCs: Discover high-potential AI startups and connect with founders in dedicated pitch competitions

Startups: Showcase solutions to 10,000+ attendees, access capital, and form strategic partnerships

Advisory & Consulting Firms: Position yourself as an AI transformation expert to enterprise clients

For Industry-Specific Professionals

Healthcare: Surgeons, hospital administrators, medtech innovators exploring AI in diagnosis and treatment

Finance: Executives interested in AI-driven risk assessment and fraud detection

Energy: Leaders exploring predictive maintenance and optimization

Media: Professionals tracking AI’s impact on content creation and distribution

For Advocates & Media

AI Ethicists: Participate in critical discussions on algorithmic fairness and data privacy

Women in Tech: Engage with leaders like Hoda AlKhazaimi promoting inclusivity in AI

Journalists: Access 250+ global speakers and breaking AI announcements with 200+ media partners present

Practical Event Details

Venue: Malfa Hall, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Dates: February 9-10, 2026

Ticket Options:

Free Pass: Access to main conference sessions and expo floor

Delegate Pass: ~$499 for enhanced access and benefits

VIP Pass: $2,499 for premium networking and exclusive sessions

Secure your spot now at: https://www.globalaishow.com/riyadh/

Don’t just watch the AI revolution, help design it.