Riyadh is no longer just talking about the future; it is actively building the scaffolding for it. This past week at King Saud University, the ICAN 2026 (International Conference on Capacity Building in Data and AI) served as the epicenter for a global shift in how we think about human potential. Amidst the buzz of 50+ international organizations and the visionary energy of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, one thing became clear: the traditional, linear path of education is being replaced by something far more agile. WeCloudData was honored to be at the forefront of this movement and leading the conversation on how to turn national AI ambitions into a concrete, verified workforce.
What Is ICAN 2026 and Why It Matters
Organized by SDAIA and the Human Capability Development Program (HCDP), ICAN 2026 isn’t just another tech conference. It is a mission-critical assembly. In a world where AI capabilities double every few months, the “shelf-life” of technical knowledge has plummeted. The conference matters because it provides a unified global platform to solve the “talent gap.” By focusing on capacity building, Saudi Arabia is signaling that its most valuable resource isn’t just data or compute power, it is the sovereign intelligence of its people.
Key themes included:
- AI-augmented decision making
- Responsible and ethical AI
- Workforce readiness and skills transformation
- Education systems adapting to rapid technological change
The International Conference on Analytics and Decision Intelligence (ICAN) is a global forum dedicated to advancing research and applied practices in analytics, AI, and decision science. ICAN 2026 emphasized not only technological progress, but also how organizations and nations can prepare talent for AI-driven economies.
Inside the WeCloudData Workshop at ICAN 2026
A Global Platform for Transformation
The scale of ICAN 2026 was a testament to Saudi Arabia’s commitment to leadership in the digital age. WeCloudData joined a prestigious roster of experts from over 50 local and international entities, including global tech giants and leading universities like Standford. The high-octane agenda featured 64 speakers across 14 high-level panel discussions and 23 exhibition booths showcasing the latest AI innovations.
Crucially, the event hosted 15 applied workshops focusing on technical skill-building with WeCloudData leading a flagship session on credentialing frameworks. The conference served as a major platform for collaboration, resulting in the signing of 27 strategic agreements and the launch of seven initiatives designed to bolster the Kingdom’s AI infrastructure and human capital.
WeCloudData Workshop: Stackable Credentials and Workforce Readiness
At ICAN 2026 in Riyadh, alongside Standford, AWS and Microsoft, WeCloudData co-hosted a workshop in collaboration with partners including Beam Data, centered on designing national frameworks for stackable credentials and micro-certifications. The goal was to explore how modular, skills-based credentials can better support continuous learning in fast-evolving AI and data domains.
Rather than focusing solely on theory. The session examined practical models for building credential ecosystems that align education providers, employers, and workforce needs.
Key Topics Covered in the Workshop
The workshop addressed several critical areas:
- Designing stackable learning pathways that allow professionals to upskill incrementally
- Aligning credentials with real job roles and industry demand, not just academic outcomes
- Supporting AI and data workforce transformation through flexible credential models
- Bridging the gap between education, enterprise training, and national workforce strategies
WeCloudData hopes to expand the vision of education from just theory to applied practice. This movement will help with the transformation of human capital.
How ICAN 2026 Reinforces WeCloudData’s Philosophy
WeCloudData’s participation at ICAN 2026 marks a continued commitment to contributing, not just consuming, knowledge within the global AI and data community. As AI reshapes how work is done. WeCloudData remains focused on advancing practical, ethical, and workforce-aligned AI education. WeCloudData continues to support organizations navigating AI-driven transformation and participating in global forums that shape the future of analytics and decision intelligence.
ICAN 2026 highlighted a clear message: the future of AI depends as much on how we train people as on the technologies themselves. Through its workshop on stackable credentials and workforce readiness, WeCloudData played an active role in shaping this conversation.
By bridging research, industry needs, and training, WeCloudData continues to contribute to building resilient, future-ready AI and data talent worldwide.
