The second annual LEARN 2025 conference came to a close this week in Riyadh’s Mohammed bin Salman Non-Profit City, bringing together industry leaders and experts to discuss the future of learning in the digital age.
Running from October 7-9 under the theme “The Learning Journey,” the event was organized by the Learn platform in partnership with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. The conference drew an impressive lineup of 205 speakers and representatives from 65 local and international organizations, all focused on digital skills and educational innovation.
The three-day event featured extensive discussions on cutting-edge educational technologies, including virtual and augmented reality applications in training. The accompanying exhibition showcased the latest learning solutions and marked a first for the Kingdom in its comprehensive approach to lifelong learning, directly supporting Saudi Vision 2030’s goals for a skills-based economy.
Abdullah Al-Muqaitib, the conference’s CEO, highlighted the event’s success in fostering international collaboration and producing meaningful outcomes. “This conference has evolved into a strategic platform for sharing expertise in technology and AI,” he said. “Empowering young talent with advanced technologies is what will drive our digital economy forward.”
Al-Muqaitib emphasized that today’s learners need to master five core skills to keep up with rapid technological changes, particularly in the age of artificial intelligence.
A major highlight was the signing of 12 new agreements and memoranda of understanding between various organizations. These partnerships focus on AI development, data analytics, educational platform creation, and building local expertise – all aligned with Vision 2030’s push toward an innovation-driven knowledge economy.
Throughout the conference, speakers consistently reinforced that continuous learning is essential for building national capabilities. They stressed that tomorrow’s workforce needs to be adaptable and ready to acquire new digital skills as the job market evolves.
Discussions about AI in education were particularly noteworthy. Speakers agreed that artificial intelligence should not replace human educators but rather enhance their capabilities by speeding up administrative tasks, improving data analysis, and helping create more precise planning. The consensus was that AI works best when combined with human skills that add value and support meaningful development.
The conference concluded with the launch of several national initiatives specifically designed to boost opportunities for young people and women in technology and AI fields. These programs underscore Saudi Arabia’s commitment to investing in human capital and establishing itself as a global hub for knowledge creation and innovation.
The ultimate goal is clear: building a digitally savvy generation that can lead the country’s transition to a sustainable, knowledge-based economy.
