Riyadh: The International Center for AI Research and Ethics (ICAIRE) announced the launch of a program to train 10,000 AI leaders, in cooperation with the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in partnership with the Apolitical platform, and in coordination with the Saudi National Commission for Education, Culture and Science.

According to Saudi Press Agency, the announcement was made during the UNESCO Global Forum on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence (GFEAI 2026), which is being hosted by Saudi Arabia in Riyadh and runs through September 17, 2026. The program is designed to bolster AI literacy and enhance the leadership capabilities of senior public-sector leaders and policymakers in ICESCO member states. It aims to equip these leaders with necessary knowledge and practical tools to navigate the opportunities and challenges posed by AI, while also focusing on ethical governance frameworks.

Over the span of two years, the program seeks to train 10,000 leaders, with a gradual expansion plan to encompass all 53 ICESCO member states. This comprehensive training initiative will be delivered entirely online, featuring live instructor-led sessions alongside self-paced learning modules.

The curriculum of this program is structured around four main tracks. These include AI fundamentals, advanced applications, AI ethics and governance, and the strategic use of AI in decision-making processes. This is a collaborative effort among ICAIRE, ICESCO, and Apolitical, which integrates specialized expertise in AI and ethics with the broad access to leaders across member states.