20 Global Ministers Gather in Riyadh for a Ministerial Roundtable on Human Capability Development as part of the Human Capability Initiative (HCI)

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, April 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Human Capability Development Program (HCDP), a Saudi Vision 2030 Realization Program, convened a ministerial roundtable on day one of the second edition of the Human Capability Initiative (HCI) conference. The HCI conference is held under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince, Prime Minister, and Chairman of HCDP, on April 13 – 14 2025 in the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center under the theme of #BeyondReadiness

The closed-door ministerial roundtable meeting focused on "AI Literacy for All: Promoting Equitable Access for Resilient Capabilities" and engaged 20 ministers from around the world, as well as local and global experts in education and technology, including representatives from the Saudi Education and Training Evaluation Commission, the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), the World Bank, and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). 

The roundtable explored the critical need for integrating digital skills as a cornerstone of human capability development and examined AI literacy's central role in ensuring individuals can thrive in an AI-driven economy. 

The meeting also highlighted the need to establish inclusive strategies that promote digital education, and the importance of integrating AI skills into curricula and strengthening international collaboration to discover scalable solutions that can provide equitable access to AI tools and digital training worldwide. 

Participants in the roundtable agreed to issue a joint statement following the meeting, which highlighted key aspects of the discussion and outlined their main recommendations on next steps, which are as follows: 

1. Advocating for the inclusion of AI literacy in national education systems, ensuring future generations are equipped with the skills necessary to succeed in an AI-powered world. 
2. Encouraging initiatives that support continuous education and reskilling opportunities for AI literacy, enabling individuals to remain adaptable in the face of technological advancements. 
3. Continuing to support the strengthening of international collaboration, sharing resources, knowledge, and experiences to enhance access to AI education globally. 

The roundtable reinforces the Kingdom's commitment to leading global efforts in human capability development in line with the Saudi Vision 2030, driven by its recognition of the central role of human capability development in achieving sustainable economic growth worldwide. Global participants in the roundtable identified innovative, concrete solutions to ensure that countries can remain competitive and achieve sustainable growth across various industries by enabling individuals and institutions to succeed in an AI-powered world.

For more information, contact the HCI Conference Media Team: media@humancapabilityinitiative.org  

Access the HCI Conference Website: https://humancapabilityinitiative.org/en/  

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20 Global Ministers Gather in Riyadh for a Ministerial Roundtable on Human Capability Development as part of the Human Capability Initiative (HCI)

BANGKOK, July 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Digital travel platform Agoda hosted the 11th edition of Tech Camp Day, its award-winning tech-focused social impact initiative designed to upskill high school and university students in emerging technology fields, in collaboration with Thailand's Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI). Held over two days at Agoda's new One Bangkok office on 16 and 17 July, the program brought together more than 400 students from 12 universities, bringing Tech Camp Day's total reach to over 3,700 students since 2023.

This edition of Agoda Tech Camp Day took a forward-looking approach to AI, introducing students to the shift from chat-based tools to more practical agentic AI applications that can support real-world problem-solving. Curated and led by Agoda software engineers, the workshop gave students hands-on exposure to AI use cases in writing, research, planning, and optimization, alongside practical training in safe and responsible AI use. Participants explored and tested real AI tools and agents in contexts directly relevant to academic and professional life, building both foundational understanding and practical confidence.

Professor Yodchanan Wongsawat, Ph.D., Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation (MHESI) of Thailand, delivered keynote remarks at the event and expressed support for the initiative, saying, "Initiatives like Agoda's Tech Camp Day play an important role in developing Thailand's next generation of tech talent. By focusing on AI training and upskilling, programs like this equip our youth with the essential tools they need to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape and contribute to a more competitive digital economy for the nation."

Damien Pfirsch, Chief Commercial Officer at Agoda, added, "At Agoda, we believe programs like Tech Camp Day can be instrumental in bringing education and industry closer together. A strong culture of learning and innovation is central to how we work at Agoda, and we see it as our responsibility to share our expertise in ways that help inspire young people and develop the technical foundations they need to succeed in the technology industry."

Since its launch in 2023, Agoda Tech Camp Day has delivered workshops in AI applications, UX/UI design, and web development, designed to upskill students and encourage them to pursue further studies and careers in technology. The initiative has received recognition and support from a range of educational and governmental bodies, including the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and Thailand's Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI). The program has achieved a post-event satisfaction rate of over 90%, alongside documented improvements in participant knowledge and skills.

In 2026, Agoda Tech Camp Day expanded its scope beyond workshops to also support digital access, with Agoda donating 170 laptops to Universiti Teknologi MARA in Malaysia to help enhance learning opportunities for students from underprivileged backgrounds.

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Agoda Marks 11th Tech Camp Day with Agentic AI Focus

Agoda Marks 11th Tech Camp Day with Agentic AI Focus