20 global ministers convene in Riyadh for HCI, discussing AI literacy and equitable access for resilient human capabilities in an AI-driven economy.
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| HCI ministerial roundtable in Riyadh addresses AI literacy, advocating for inclusive digital education and international collaboration for AI skill development. Image: Supplied |
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – April 13, 2025:
Twenty global ministers convened in Riyadh for a pivotal ministerial roundtable on human capability development, a key component of the second edition of the Human Capability Initiative (HCI) conference. Held under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the conference, themed #BeyondReadiness, focused on the critical importance of AI literacy in building resilient human capabilities.
The closed-door ministerial roundtable, titled "AI Literacy for All: Promoting Equitable Access for Resilient Capabilities," assembled ministers, global experts in education and technology, and representatives from prominent organizations including the Saudi Education and Training Evaluation Commission, the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), the World Bank, and the OECD.
Discussions centered on the imperative of integrating digital skills into human capability development and ensuring equitable access to AI tools and digital training worldwide. Participants stressed the need for inclusive strategies in digital education and the importance of embedding AI skills into educational curricula.
Following the roundtable, ministers agreed to issue a joint statement outlining key recommendations, including advocating for the inclusion of AI literacy in national education systems, supporting continuous education and reskilling opportunities, and strengthening international collaboration to enhance global access to AI education.
The roundtable underscored Saudi Arabia's commitment to leading global efforts in human capability development, aligning with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. Participants identified innovative, concrete solutions to ensure countries remain competitive and achieve sustainable growth in an AI-powered world. The discussions highlighted the critical role of international collaboration in fostering AI literacy and ensuring equitable access to digital resources.