Saudi Arabia’s Human Capability Development Program has announced the third edition of the Human Capability Initiative Conference, to be held in Riyadh on 3-4 May 2026. The event will bring together global leaders, policymakers, academics, industry experts and think tanks to discuss the future of human capability development under the theme The Human Code. The conference is positioned as a major platform for dialogue on education, skills, workforce development and the role of artificial intelligence in shaping learning and working environments.
Conference Overview
- HCI 2026 will be hosted in Riyadh under the patronage of Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman.
- The conference is expected to attract more than 15,000 participants.
- It will feature over 250 local and international speakers from the public, private and non-profit sectors.
- The programme will focus on building human capability in a rapidly changing technological environment.
United Kingdom as Country of Honour
- The United Kingdom has been named the Country of Honour for HCI 2026.
- This reflects the strategic partnership between Saudi Arabia and the UK in education, workforce development and economic cooperation.
- The partnership also builds on the Skills of the Future initiative launched at the 2025 conference.
- The focus is on educational exchange and preparing workforces for future economic needs.
Link with Saudi Vision 2030
- The Human Capability Development Program is one of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 Realisation Programmes.
- It aims to strengthen citizens’ skills and human potential.
- The initiative supports long-term competitiveness and a knowledge-based economy.
- Saudi officials have brought into light investment in people as central to sustainable growth.
Previous Editions and Global Reach
- HCI has grown into a major international platform on human capability development.
- The first two editions drew more than 23,000 participants in total.
- They featured over 550 speakers and led to more than 156 partnerships and initiatives.
- The 2026 edition is expected to deepen global discussion on skills, innovation and productivity.