Over the past year, we witnessed groundbreaking advancements in AI technology. New models, generative tools, and smarter systems showed up in every corner—healthcare, finance, education, and even the arts. With such rapid shifts, keeping up has become increasingly important. One way to cut through the noise is by showing up where ideas are first shared: conferences. They’re where people meet, hear what’s next, and see real solutions in action.
In this article, we’ll share the list of the top AI conferences to attend in 2026. It’s not every event, but these are the ones worth knowing with dates, locations, and what each one focuses on. Some are more research-oriented, others are more about business use or ethics, so you can pick what fits your interests. It is worth mentioning that while highly reputable academic conferences, such as NeurIPS, ICML, and ICLR, exist, our list focuses mainly on premier industry, enterprise AI events, or research-oriented events with a broader AI perspective that highlight practical applications, business strategies, and real-world impact.
1. AAAI-26 (Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence)
Date: January 20–27, 2026
Location: Singapore
Best for: intermediate to advanced attendees, especially researchers and academics
Focus: academic and research-oriented, covering the full spectrum of AI, from theory to
applications
Organized by the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence, AAAI is a prestigious academic conference with peer-reviewed papers, workshops, and tutorials. It attracts global researchers and industry professionals, and includes high-profile awards such as the AAAI Award for AI for the Benefit of Humanity. Its move to Singapore reflects the growing global reach of AI events.
Details:
Over 2,000 attendees, including researchers, students, and industry professionals.
The Technical Program includes paper/poster sessions, invited talks, exhibits, and demos.
Workshops cover niche topics, including deep learning and AI ethics.
Networking via receptions, poster sessions, and a Job Fair. Mentoring events support students and early-career researchers.
Cost: Prices vary by registration type (member, student, virtual, etc.), deadlines (from early to late bids), and program access. Prices for tech programs for early bookings made before November 16, 2025, range between $390 and $870. Workshop prices range from $240 to $457 per day for early bookings before November 16, 2025. Symposium
EAAI-26 only costs from $320 to $610 for early booking. While there are no free options, student prices are affordable for academics.
Date: February 4-5, 2026
Location: London, Great Britain
Best for: Intermediate and advanced level professionals, looking for a mix of enterprise-focused insights, networking, and AI practical applications
Focus: enterprise AI, generative AI, machine learning (ML), natural language processing (NLP), security, ethical AI, deep learning, and data ecosystems
The AI & Big Data Expo is a key part of TechEx Global, an international series of technology events, exhibitions, and conferences focused on emerging technologies and digital transformation. AI & Big Data Expo showcases generative AI, enterprise AI, machine learning, and NLP. Visitors can expect real-world case studies on AI in retail, finance, and supply chains. The AI Start-Up Area is a highlight for connecting with new companies and investors.
Details:
Over 8,000 attendees, 200+ speakers, and 150+ exhibitors.
Features two days of enterprise-level briefings, with insights into ML, NLP, and neural networks.
Key sessions cover AI-driven personalization, MLOps, and responsible AI (e.g., privacy, bias mitigation).
Cost: Several ticketing options are available for the events. Attendees can access the expo floor and free stage content with free tickets. 5 conference tracks & exhibition, VIP networking party, and networking app are all available for attendees with Gold Tickets or Ultimate Tickets at £649 or £899 if booked before January 10, 2026. Group discounts are available for 3+ attendees.
Date: March 16–19, 2026
Location: San Jose, CA, USA
Best for: Developers, engineers, and technical professionals focused on AI hardware and software
Focus: agentic AI, robotics, accelerated computing, and industry-specific AI applications (e.g., healthcare, robotics).
Known as the “Woodstock of AI,” GTC is a must-attend event for developers, researchers, IT decision-makers, business leaders, and even students, where they can see real-world examples of how AI and accelerated computing are helping tackle the world’s toughest challenges and enabling industries to flourish. It features hands-on training, in-depth technical sessions, and keynotes from NVIDIA’s leadership (e.g., Jensen Huang). The 2025 event highlighted agentic AI and robotics, and 2026 is expected to continue this trend with on-demand sessions available post-event.
Details:
25,000+ attendees, including developers, engineers, and industry pros, plus 300,000+ visitors virtually thanks to its free virtual access.
Tracks cover AI hardware, software, robotics, and healthcare. Workshops focus on practical skills (e.g., CUDA, TensorFlow).
Networking via receptions, Tech Museum visits, and “Dinner with Strangers.”
Cost: Registration for 2026 is not yet open, just like the information on prices, but based on 2025, it will likely be $0 for attending the event virtually to ~$2,500 for the Full On-site conference. The previous year in-person tickets ranged from approximately $495 to $2,295, depending on the level of access. Workshops' price range is expected to be within ~$195–$500.
Date: May 7–8, 2026
Location: Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Best for: intermediate to advanced attendees, especially business leaders, data scientists, and professionals focused on applied AI and MLOps.
Focus: applied data science, machine learning, AI strategy, MLOps, big data, and industry applications (healthcare, fintech, retail, cybersecurity).
The Data Science Next Conference is an emerging conference, marking its second edition following a successful 2025 debut, with a focus on practical AI and data science solutions, as well as machine learning. It includes expert-led workshops, business-centric talks, a career expo, poster sessions, curated tracks for topics like healthcare or finance, and plenty of networking opportunities. Its job fair and networking sessions are ideal for early-career pros and startups seeking connections.
Details:
Expect 2,000+ attendees, including data scientists, engineers, business leaders, and researchers.
Three-day program with keynotes, panel discussions, workshops, and curated networking sessions.
Tracks cover AI in finance, ethical ML, cloud data solutions, and more. Workshops emphasize practical skills (e.g., building ML models).
Cost: Prices are based on the role and range from €399 to €699. All prices cover the 2-day conference and include meals, refreshments, and a visa invitation letter, if necessary. The Group Pass offers savings for teams.
5. HumanX 2026
Date: April 6–9, 2026
Location: San Francisco, CA, USA
Best for: intermediate to advanced level attendees, especially business leaders, C-suite executives, and those focused on enterprise AI adoption
Focus: Enterprise AI strategy, agentic AI, and actionable insights for business leaders, C-suite executives, investors, and innovators
It is a premier event for decision-makers, offering curated sessions, 1:1 meetings, and networking with over 60% VP-level attendees. It is designed as a bridge between startups, investors, and enterprise buyers. The event features a 4-day program with center-stage keynotes, topic-focused stages, and networking events (e.g., after-parties, receptions). It emphasizes real-world AI applications and avoids pay-to-play models, ensuring high-quality content.
Details:
350+speakers and 6,500+ attendees, including C-level execs, VPs, founders, investors, and policymakers.
Tracks cover AI strategy, governance, and industry applications (e.g., finance, healthcare).
VentureConnect pairs startups with investors; SolutionBridge connects buyers with solution providers.
Cost: Registration for HumanX will open on September 30, 2025. The prices for 2026 are not yet available. Based on the 2025 event, the estimated range will likely be $1,000–$2,500 for full access, with startups discounts, early bird, and group rates. A limited, free, or low-cost pass may be offered for expo-only access, similar to the AI & Big Data Expo’s Free Expo Pass. In 2025, the full on-site ticket price for the first day of the event was $3,995.
Date: April 13–16, 2026
Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Best for: intermediate to advanced attendees, especially engineers, researchers, and business leaders in the Middle East and beyond. Beginners can join the expo or workshops for accessible content.
Focus: AI engineering, research, and business applications.
DeepFest is a world-leading AI hub co-located with LEAP, one of the world’s largest tech events. This Middle East event is growing in popularity, attracting AI engineers, researchers, and business leaders. It has technical sessions, networking, and showcases regional AI advancements, reflecting the Middle East’s growing investment in AI. Like HumanX, DeepFest emphasizes merit-based content, with speakers and exhibitors chosen for expertise, not sponsorship fees, ensuring high-quality sessions. It attracts the biggest number of attendees among all the events in our list.
Details:
68,000+ attendees and 180+ speakers
The 4-day program includes keynotes, technical deep dives, workshops, live demos, startup pitches, and a curated AI exhibition.
Tracks cover AI governance, ethics, sustainability, security, and applications in industries like healthcare, logistics, and space technology.
Cost: DeepFest access is bundled with LEAP tickets—there’s no separate “DeepFest-only” pricing available. Specific pricing for DeepFest 2026 has not been announced yet. Likely there will be a free Expo Pass, while tickets offering full access will range somewhere from $800 to $2,000 for full access, with early bird discounts and group/startup rates.
7. IEEE Conference on Artificial Intelligence (CAI 2026)
Date: May 8–10, 2026
Location: Granada, Spain
Best for: intermediate to advanced attendees, especially researchers, students, and professionals who want to publish, learn, and network.
Focus: AI applications in healthcare, transportation, robotics, business intelligence, computer vision, security, and ethics.
The IEEE Conference on Artificial Intelligence (CAI 2026) is the third edition of a premier international conference and exhibition organized by the IEEE, focusing on multidisciplinary AI, AI applications, and key verticals impacting industrial technology and innovations. It’s designed for researchers, industry professionals, and academics to explore cutting-edge AI advancements, network with leading AI companies and startups, and gain insights from top minds in the field. The event is highly reputable, with peer-reviewed papers further published in IEEE Xplore, keynotes, workshops, and 100+ exhibitors, fostering industry-academia collaboration.
Details:
Attendees: ~1,000–2,000, including researchers, academics, industry professionals, and students.
3-day program with keynotes, technical sessions, workshops, panels, and exhibition.
Tracks span healthcare & life sciences, transportation & aerospace, robotics & UAV, computer vision, sustainability, business intelligence, trustworthy AI, generative AI, and ethics.
Cost: Specific pricing for CAI 2026 isn’t yet available, as registration details are typically released closer to the event. Based on the CAI 2025 standard, access to the event can cost ~$500–$1,200 for IEEE members, and ~$700–$1,500 for non-members. The Student Pass is expected to be within the range of approximately $200–$600. Early bird discounts are expected to be available by late 2025, offering savings of ~20–30%.
Date: June 10-11, 2026
Location: Location, UK
or
Date: Expected in December 2026, but you can still manage to visit it this year, as it will take place between December 10-11, 2025
Location: New York
Best suited for: intermediate to advanced attendees, particularly business leaders and startup founders looking for business strategy, deployment, and networking.
Focus: enterprise AI, scaling adoption, governance, industry solutions (finance, healthcare).
The AI Summit London 2026, held during London Tech Week, is a flagship event for enterprise AI that addresses practical applications, agentic AI, and business transformation. It’s the 10th edition that unites business leaders, technologists, and AI practitioners who gather together to explore cutting-edge AI advancements, governance, and growth strategies. The event features 8 content stages, 300+ speakers, and 100+ sponsors/exhibitors, with immersive demos, a Startup & Investor Village, and the VisionAIres VIP Programme for executives. Similarly, The AI Summit New York 2025, also celebrating its 10th year, is a leading enterprise AI event focused on transformative insights, workshops, and networking. It features strategies to scale AI, such as case studies, live demos, and a Women in AI Summit.
Details:
3,500-5,000 attendees, 300+ speakers, 100+ exhibitors, including C-level execs, AI practitioners, startups.
2-day program with keynotes, workshops, demos.
Tracks agentic AI, scaling AI, ethics, healthcare, fintech, and sustainability.
Cost for London: The Tobacco Dock Campus Pass is priced at £175 for online booking, which is significantly lower than on-site ticket costs. Such a ticket gives visitors access to key parts of the event, which is a budget-friendly way to experience the conference. Passes, offering full access to the event, access to London Tech Week, or VIP perks range from £1,799 to £2,599.
Cost for New York: The Expo Pass for this year's event costs $55 for early online booking. It provides basic access to the Headliners Stage, select stages, expo, and networking areas. Passes, offering full access to the event, workshops, masterclasses, refreshments, and VIP perks range from $1,899 to $2,599.
9. AI for Good Global Summit 2026
Date: July 7-10, 2026
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
Best for: professionals of different levels interested in AI’s role in global development, ethics, and policy, especially those working in AI for health, sustainability, governance, or humanitarian efforts.
Focus: Using AI to solve real-world problems, like protecting the planet, improving healthcare, making education more accessible, helping in disasters, and ensuring AI is used fairly and responsibly.
This UN-backed summit focuses on AI for social impact (e.g., sustainability, healthcare, education), addressing the ethical and societal perspective of AI adoption. It’s accessible to a broad audience, including policymakers and NGOs, as it doesn’t require deep technical knowledge. It leans more toward interdisciplinary collaboration (AI + healthcare, AI + education, AI + sustainability), rather than just technical AI advancements. At its core, the AI for Good Summit is about harnessing AI for global challenges.
Details:
~5,000–10,000 delegates from governments, NGOs, academia, and industry.
4-day global summit with keynote plenaries, thematic “Solutions” and “Frontier” stages, workshops, youth challenges, and the AI for Good Impact Awards.
Tracks humanitarian action, healthcare & wellbeing, climate & sustainability, ethics & governance, inclusive growth, SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals).
Cost: Attendees can access the main sessions and exhibits for free, which makes it one of the most affordable events on our list. The Gold ticket, priced at 890 CHF, offers priority seating, fast-track access, and complimentary lunches. It is also possible to attend the event virtually.
10. International Joint Conference on AI and European Conference on AI (IJCAI-ECAI 2026)
Date: August 8–14, 2026
Location: Bremen, Germany
Best for: researchers, academics, students presenting peer-reviewed papers, and professionals interested in global and European AI research trends
Focus: General AI research, including NLP, robotics, and AI ethics.
IJCAI is a highly reputable, long-running AI research conference that has been held since 1969. In 2026, IJCAI will be held as a joint conference, IJCAI-ECAI, combining the International Joint Conference on Artificial Intelligence (IJCAI) with the European Conference on Artificial Intelligence (ECAI), which is done every 4 years (e.g., 2018, 2022, planned for 2026 in Bremen, Germany). It emphasizes European AI research alongside global topics, hosted in Europe. Still, it follows IJCAI’s structure, which features peer-reviewed papers, workshops, and tutorials, with a focus on both theoretical and applied AI.
Details:
~2,000–3,000 attendees, including researchers, academics, students, and industry professionals with a strong European researcher presence.
7-day program with keynotes, technical sessions, workshops, tutorials, Doctoral Consortium, and social events.
Tracks machine learning, AI ethics, computer vision, NLP, robotics.
Cost: Prices vary by registration period and attendee type - regular or student. While the prices for 2026 have not been announced yet, based on the pricing of 2025, the main conference ticket is expected to be within the range of $400 for students to $950 for regular visitors if booked early. Access to workshops for attendees seeking in-depth, hands-on learning in specific AI areas ranges from $200 to $300 for students and $300 to $500 for regular visitors if booked in advance.
11. Ai4 2026
Date: Aug 4-6, 2026
Location: Las Vegas, CA, USA
Best for: enterprise leaders, startups, and data practitioners seeking actionable AI strategies, networking, and demos.
Focus: generative AI, AI agents, computer vision, AI policy, industry applications (finance, healthcare, retail, government).
Ai4 is North America’s largest AI industry conference, focusing on practical AI deployment for enterprise, government, and startups. Attendees won’t be discussing cutting-edge research there, but will hear about how some companies are integrating AI into their service or operations. The event focuses on practical AI deployment for enterprises, governments, and startups, covering topics such as generative AI, AI agents, computer vision, and AI policy.
Details:
Attracts 12,000+ attendees, 1000+ speakers, 400+ exhibits, including Fortune 500 executives, startup founders, VCs, government officials, and data scientists.
3-day program with 33+ tracks, keynotes, workshops, demos, Startup Track, AI Policy Summit, and networking (e.g., afterparty, app).
Tracks foundation & strategy, deployment at scale, AI application & use cases, generative AI, AI ethics, computer vision, AI agents.
Cost: Pricing for Ai4 2026 is not yet available, but based on Ai4 2025, it is expected to be $1,100 for Super Early registration and $ 1,600 for Early registration, while VIP passes can reach $5,000.
Date: Expected October 2026 (you still have the chance to visit it in 2025, between October 8-9)
Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Best for: Enterprise leaders, innovators, and those interested in AI’s societal impact.
Focus: AI’s impact on humanity, enterprise AI, generative AI, and ethics.
The summit is part of World AI Week (October 6–10, 2025, in Amsterdam), a week-long series of 50+ events that includes the main summit, networking receptions, startup showcases, and the ALLAI Responsible AI Conference. It features keynote speeches, deep-dive tech talks, workshops, and panel discussions across multiple tracks, with a focus on creating a future where technology and humanity align. Popular for its inclusive approach, this summit attracts enterprise leaders, startup innovators, investors, and researchers. The 2025 event emphasized AI sustainability and security, trends likely to continue in 2026.
Details:
15,000+ attendees, including C-suite executives, AI researchers and academics, startup founders and investors, as well as data scientists, engineers, and policymakers.
A 2-day event with a packed agenda of keynotes, deep-dive tech talks, workshops, hackathons, startup showcases, and networking receptions.
16 tracks covering critical AI themes, including Generative AI and LLMs, responsible AI & governance, AI Security, AI in Healthcare, AI Infrastructure, and human-AI collaboration.
Cost: The cost of tickets for World Summit AI that takes place in 2025 starts from €700 for accessing the expo. For full access to stages, workshops, hackathons, networking apps, content, and refreshments, upgraded tickets depend on your category and purchase timing and start from €1,399 (early-bird Expo pass) to over €2,599 (VIP or Vendor passes),
Final Thoughts
AI is evolving faster than ever, and attending the right conference can become your literal ticket to know where it is heading. Whether you’re a researcher diving into cutting-edge algorithms at AAAI-26 or IJCAI-ECAI, or a business leader scaling AI solutions at HumanX or Ai4, these 2026 events offer unmatched opportunities to learn, network, and shape the future. Don’t just follow the AI revolution - become part of it. Pick a conference that aligns with your goals, book early for discounts, and start planning your trip to connect with the global AI community.
FAQ
Why attend an AI conference in 2026?
AI conferences are hubs for cutting-edge ideas, networking, and hands-on learning. They offer access to global experts, real-world case studies, and connections that can guide your career or business. They’re ideal for staying updated on trends like generative AI, ethics, and agentic AI.
How do I pick the right conference?
Each conference has a unique focus:
Research: AAAI-26, IJCAI-ECAI, IEEE CAI.
Business: HumanX, AI & Big Data Expo, AI Summit.
Skills: NVIDIA GTC, DSC Next.
Niche: DeepFest (Middle East).
Broad: World Summit AI.
Which AI events are most academic?
AAAI-26 and IJCAI-ECAI 2026 are the top choices if you’re looking for peer-reviewed papers, tutorials, and research-heavy sessions.
Which AI conferences focus on enterprise and business AI?
Events like HumanX, Ai4, and AI Summit (London or New York), are all aimed at executives, startups, and decision-makers who are interested in the real-world adoption of AI.
Which AI event is the best if I can only attend virtually?
NVIDIA GTC offers free virtual access with on-demand sessions, so you can still get value if travel isn’t an option. AI for Good Global Summit also has a virtual participation option.
Which AI conference is best for beginners?
If you’re just getting started, AI & Big Data Expo, The AI Summit (London/New York) or World AI Summit are good picks. They mix high-level talks with expo floors where you can see demos without diving too deep into technical research.
Are there affordable or free options?
Yes. Events like AI & Big Data Expo, AI for Good Global Summit and NVIDIA GTC (virtual) offer free passes with limited access. Full passes, which include workshops and networking, usually cost more.
How do ticket prices usually work?
Expect a wide range. Some events like AI & Big Data Expo have free expo passes. Others can run anywhere from $500–$2,500 for standard tickets. Premium or VIP access can go up to $5,000 at big industry events like Ai4. Booking early always saves money, sometimes by 30% or more. Students and academics often get special discounts.
What’s the difference between AI Summit London and AI Summit New York?
They’re sister events with similar formats. London ties into London Tech Week, while New York focuses on the North American AI market.
