Smart Data & AI Summit 2026 – Saudi Arabia

Smart Data & AI Summit 2026 – Saudi Arabia is positioned as the country's premier gathering for data and AI professionals, taking place on 26–27 August 2026 at the JW Marriott Hotel Riyadh. This two-day summit is designed for senior decision-makers and practitioners across government and industry who are shaping the next wave of data-driven transformation in Saudi Arabia, aligned with Vision 2030. With a projected attendee base of 300+ delegates from 200+ leading organisations, the event offers a focused environment for CDOs, CIOs, CTOs, heads of data science, analytics, and AI strategy to network, learn, and source transformative solutions. Key value propositions include access to high-level strategic talks, case studies from the Kingdom’s bold AI initiatives (including Project Transcendence and the SDAIA-led data economy push), and hands-on discussions around data governance, open data vs. national security, and the practical deployment of AI at scale. The agenda highlights data mesh, data virtualization, and the evolving role of AI in city development and digital transformation efforts. Speakers reportedly feature senior leaders from government agencies, telcos, healthcare, finance, and large enterprises, including ministries and state-backed organisations. Event format spans keynote presentations, panel discussions, and interactive sessions focused on: - Data governance, open data policy, and national security in a data-rich era - Generative and predictive AI applications, from analytics to autonomous decision-making - Building scalable, ethical AI platforms and autonomous data architectures (e.g., data mesh, data virtualization, sovereign cloud considerations) - AI's role in smart cities and large-scale digital transformation programs - The business implications of data analytics maturity for regional and international markets Organisers emphasize a practitioner-focused experience with pre-qualified delegates and a strong emphasis on practical procurement and collaboration opportunities. Attendees will have the chance to engage with solution providers and hear firsthand how Saudi Arabia is accelerating its data analytics market and AI capabilities toward a more diversified digital economy. This event is ideal for AI/ML leads, data engineers, analytics managers, IT directors, and policy-makers who want to understand how to operationalize AI at scale within a regulated, data-rich environment. Attendees can expect a mix of strategic talks, market in