Riyadh just became the center of the global media conversation — literally. The fifth edition of the Saudi Media Forum kicked off Monday under the direct patronage of King Salman bin Abdulaziz, drawing more than 300 media leaders and experts from over 20 countries to the Saudi capital.
And this isn’t your typical industry panel where people talk about “the future of media” without actually doing anything about it. This year’s forum, themed “Media in an Evolving World,” came loaded with tangible action: 12 flagship initiatives, more than 150 specialized sessions, and a major announcement on artificial intelligence guidelines for the media industry.
Saudi Media Minister Salman Al-Dossary set the tone early, stressing that media’s responsibility toward younger generations doesn’t mean shielding them from the digital world — it means equipping them to navigate it. “Protecting future generations in the digital age is not achieved through prohibition or isolation,” he said, “but through creating aware media environments governed by ethics and values.”
It’s a refreshingly pragmatic stance, and it’s backed by real programs. Among the headline initiatives is the Saudi Media Innovation Bootcamp (Saudi MIB), launched in partnership with SDAIA — the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority. The bootcamp focuses on augmented journalism, intelligent content creation, and virtual presenters. Yes, you read that right: AI-driven virtual anchors are officially part of the Kingdom’s media strategy now.
Alongside the bootcamp, the forum introduced the Tamkeen Initiative to support media startups and the Numo Initiative, which partners with the Kafalah Program to turn media ideas into sustainable business models. For aspiring content entrepreneurs in the region, these aren’t just announcements — they’re lifelines.
Perhaps the most significant development? The formal launch of an Artificial Intelligence Principles in Media document, created jointly with SDAIA. It establishes guidelines for responsible AI use in content production — a topic the global media industry has been scrambling to address. Saudi Arabia is making its position clear: embrace the technology, but with guardrails.
The numbers around the forum are equally impressive. Over 2,000 content creators and influencers from more than 90 countries are participating through the Influence Track, part of the second edition of “The ImpaQ Impact Makers Forum” hosted in Qiddiya City.
Running alongside the main forum is FOMEX — the Future of Media Exhibition — featuring more than 250 local and international companies showcasing innovations in broadcast, digital media, and content technology. Its Launch Zone offers companies a platform to debut new products and forge partnerships.
The Saudi Media Award 2026 also took the spotlight, with over 500 nominated works from 20+ countries across 16 categories. International participation surged by more than 200% compared to the previous edition, a sign that the Kingdom’s media ecosystem is being taken seriously far beyond its borders.
Under Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia has made no secret of its ambition to become a media and entertainment powerhouse. Events like this prove it’s not just talk.
