Ended
Human Capability Initiative 2026
03–04 MAY 2026· 2 days · In person
King Abdulaziz International Conference Center · Riyadh
Free
About the event
The Human Capability Initiative (HCI) returns for its third edition as the premier global conference focused on developing human capabilities, under the patronage of HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Organized by the Human Capability Development Program (HCDP), part of Saudi Vision 2030, HCI 2026 brings together over 250 speakers from global thought leaders, policymakers, CEOs, investors, and academic experts, with 30,000+ attendees expected. The UK and Northern Ireland serves as the guest of honor under the theme #TheHumanCode.
Spanning 40,000 sqm at KAICC in Riyadh, the conference features the Education Global Exhibition (EDGEx) at the Ritz-Carlton Riyadh as a side event. HCI 2026 focuses on three core pillars: deep connection to build meaningful community ties, thoughtful analysis to explore the unknown, and purposeful innovation to create lasting value in communities worldwide.
The conference features distinguished speakers including Douglas Becker, Chairman of Cintana Education; Dr. Mamta Murthi, Vice President for Human Development at the World Bank; Sultan Alkhayal, CEO of Drahim; Asim Al-Rajhi, Co-Founder of Rimthan; Nunzio Quacquarelli, CEO of QS Quacquarelli Symonds; Dr. Sarah Al-Aqeel, Associate Professor at King Saud University; and Naif Alobaidallah, Content Executive Director at SDAIA. Topics span skills development, the future of work, and digital transformation in education.
HCI 2026 takes place at King Abdulaziz International Conference Center (KAICC) in Riyadh on May 3-4, 2026, organized by the Human Capability Development Program (HCDP). Free attendance with pre-registration at: hci.org.sa/register.
Agenda
34- 09:00–09:30Registration: Registration
- 09:30–09:50Registration: Opening of HCI 2026
- 09:50–10:05Ministerial Keynote: #TheHumanCode - Key Theme of HCI26A ministerial keynote by Yousef Bin Abdullah Al-Benyan, Minister of Education outlining the purpose of HCI 2026.
- 10:05–10:35Ministers Panel: Cultivating Human Capabilities for a Resilient and Inclusive SocietyIn this session, Ministers of Education, Social Development, and the Economy explore the human capabilities required for societies to thrive, economically, socially, and ethically, and how capability nurturing must evolve.
- 10:35–11:05Panel: Enhancing Human Creativity in the Intelligent Tech AgeHow to increase opportunities for human contribution and creation in the intelligent age rather than reduce them?
- 11:05–11:15Keynote: Ministerial/ Sponsor Keynote
- 11:15–11:35Experts Talk: Economic Uncertainty, Labor Markets, and the Case for ResilienceGlobal economy is shaped by significant uncertainty. Hear from a leading economist on key drivers, and how they are transforming labor markets and necessitating a focus on economic resilience and upskilling.
- 11:35–12:00Announcements: Large-scale, high-impact Announcements and MoUs
- 12:00–12:15Case Study: Public Private Cooperation: Fueling Capabilities DevelopmentPartnerships and cooperation between the public and private sectors can fuel investment in learning. Hear firsthand examples of successful public-private partnerships.
- 12:15–12:25Fireside Chat: Philanthropy Fuels LearningPhilanthropy plays a critical role in expanding access to learning and skills development. This session explores how philanthropic organizations support learners, educators, and communities.
- 12:25–13:00Panel: Building Capability for EntrepreneurshipThe session reframes entrepreneurship as the ability to sense opportunity and create value - capabilities essential to innovation, job creation, and economic resilience.
- 14:30–15:00CEOs Panel: Steering your Company when Change has Become a NormCEOs from global companies discuss leadership skills required in an increasingly uncertain business environment.
- 15:00–15:10Keynote: Ministerial/ Sponsor Keynote
- 15:10–15:40Panel: Is the Skills Gap Real; or Are We Measuring the Wrong Things?This session challenges the narrative that the skills gap is a failure of education, examining how outdated assumptions about credentials and hiring practices contribute to misalignment between education and work.
- 15:40–16:10Panel: Why Skills Alone Won't Build Inclusive SocietiesDiscussion on whether we also need changes in hiring practices, job quality, economic security, and the systems that determine who gets access to opportunity, including for people with disabilities, neurodiversity & special needs.
- 16:10–16:20Keynote: Ministerial/ Sponsor Keynote
- 16:20–16:40Panel: Sectorial SpotlightSpeakers outline specific requirements and outlooks in key national sectors such as: Manufacturing, Media, Travel, Tourism & Logistics, Evolving Technologies.
- 16:40–17:00Debate: Beyond Badges: What Actually Builds Capability?This session examines what actually enables people to develop durable skills and apply them in real-world contexts, drawing on evidence from learning science and practice.
- 17:00–17:10Closing: Wrapping up Day 1
- 10:00–10:30Panel: Fostering an Environment for Capabilities to ThriveIntelligent technology can crowd out moments of connection. How to nurture the relational environments needed for capabilities to thrive?
- 10:30–10:50Experts Talk: Building Life's Launchpad: Why Early Years Matter MostThe session examines the decisive role of early childhood in shaping cognitive, emotional, and social capacity, and confronts barriers that keep access uneven.
- 10:50–11:20Panel: Equitable Access to Education and Economic Opportunity - Will AI Widen or Narrow the Gap?This session examines whether AI will widen inequalities or expand access, exploring policy, design, and choices that determine who benefits and who is left behind.
- 11:20–11:50Panel: Reskilling and Career Guidance in a Non-Linear, Gig EconomyThis session explores how reskilling can better support mobility, resilience, and agency in a global gig economy.
- 11:50–12:10Panel: Vocational Pathways That Work in a Changing EconomyThis session examines how vocational training systems can be strengthened to respond to changing labour markets.
- 12:10–12:30Panel: Leading Universities - When the Old Model No Longer WorksHow to lead institutions built for knowledge transmission through an era that demands human capability such as judgment, adaptability, and lifelong learning?
- 12:30–13:00Panel: How Connections between Nations Enhance Learning?Stakeholders discuss how international cooperation can enhance learning and capability building.
- 14:30–15:00Panel: Making Human Capital InvestableThe session explores new ways to measure impact, share risk, and structure investments so that long-term human development delivers both financial returns and fairer, more resilient economies.
- 15:00–15:20Debate: Decoding the Signals of the Labor MarketA labor economist, CEO, education leader, and employer representative decode the signals and explain how to project capability need far enough in advance to ensure availability.
- 15:20–15:40Panel: Human/ AI Interface: Keeping Humans in ControlThis session explores how people can use AI to enhance insight and efficiency while retaining meaningful control over decisions, values, and outcomes.
- 15:40–16:00Panel: Setting the Boundaries: Safety and Accountability in AI UseThis session explores how organisations can define guardrails for AI, covering transparency, bias, human oversight, and accountability.
- 16:00–16:20Panel: Capabilities and Skills for Green TransitionsClimate change and the shift to renewable energy are creating demand for new green skills. Companies and policy makers discuss how to develop these new skills.
- 16:20–16:30Fireside Chat: Sectorial SpotlightSpeakers outline specific requirements and outlooks in key national sectors: Manufacturing, Media, Travel, Tourism & Logistics, Evolving Technologies.
- 16:30–16:45Keynote: Language, Thought, and What It Means to Be HumanThis session explores how language and culture influence cognition and defines us as humans in an increasingly automated world.
- 16:45–17:00Closing Remarks: When All Is Said and Done: HCI Commits
Speakers
21Adam PortlockPresidentAdrian MesserliPresident of Hotel Operations, EMEAAlex WongSenior Advisor, Office of the Secretary-GeneralDr. Ali Haidar AhmedMinister of Higher Education, Labour and Skills DevelopmentDr. Anđela JakšićMinister of Education, Science and InnovationDr. Athena MichaelidouMinister of Education, Sport and YouthBarry WinnVice-Chancellor & PresidentCharles HopkinsUNESCO Chair in Reorienting Education towards SustainabilityDouglas BeckerFounder & ChairmanSultan AlkhayalFounder & CEOAsim Al-RajhiCEODr. Sarah Al-AqeelOccupational Therapist & Lecturer
Show the remaining 9 people
Abdulaziz Al-MubarakProfessional Esports AthleteYara AlNamlahFounder & CEONaif AlobaidallahCo-founder & COODr. Yousef AlshammariPresidentYousef AlsayedCEO & Co-founderDr. Mamta MurthiVice President, PeopleDr. Hang Chuon NaronDeputy Prime Minister & Minister of Education, Youth and SportNunzio QuacquarelliPresidentPierre Le ManhPresident & CEO
The venue
24.67N 46.63E
King Abdulaziz International Conference Center