AI events are no longer just about networking - they’re about making deals, forming alliances, and driving action. These gatherings bring together top executives, policymakers, and investors to connect resources, share expertise, and shape the future of AI. Here’s a quick rundown of five major European AI events that focus on collaboration and results:
- RAISE Summit (Paris, July 2026): Known for its deal-making focus, this event attracts over 14,000 participants, including Fortune 500 CEOs and investors managing €560 billion. It offers pre-scheduled meetings, exclusive CxO spaces, and competitions like a €5M startup prize.
- World AI Cannes Festival (Cannes, February 2026): Featuring 12,000 attendees, 320 speakers, and tracks like AI for Business and Health AI Summit, this festival excels in connecting startups, corporates, and policymakers.
- AI for Good Global Summit (Geneva, July 2025): Organized with UN agencies, this summit focuses on AI solutions for global challenges like health and climate. It includes matchmaking lounges and workshops targeting six critical sectors.
- AI & Big Data Expo Europe (Amsterdam, October 2026): With 8,000 attendees and 200 exhibitors, this event integrates multiple tech fields, offering AI-powered networking apps and tracks on enterprise AI and MLOps.
- CogX Festival (London/Los Angeles): A global platform for AI professionals, featuring tracks on generative AI, climate tech, and more. It emphasizes executive networking and startup connections.
These events are where the AI ecosystem comes together to create partnerships, launch initiatives, and tackle challenges across industries like robotics, healthcare, and finance. If you want to connect with decision-makers and move from ideas to action, these are the events to attend.
Comparison of 5 Major European AI Events for Partnership and Ecosystem Building
Multistakeholder Partnerships for Thriving AI Ecosystems
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1. RAISE Summit
The RAISE Summit is all about action. Instead of leaning on abstract conversations, it focuses on real-world deal-making. Scheduled for 8–9 July 2026 at the iconic Le Carrousel du Louvre in Paris, it’s set to welcome over 14,000 participants from more than 3,000 companies. The 2025 edition was a powerhouse, hosting 822 CEOs from 168 Fortune 500 companies and attracting investors managing a staggering €560 billion in assets [2][4].
Networking Opportunities
RAISE goes beyond typical networking by offering tools and events tailored for meaningful connections. The "Book a Meeting" platform allows attendees to set up one-on-one meetings in advance, ensuring every interaction is purposeful. For top-level executives, the invitation-only CxO Summit provides Fortune 1000 leaders with exclusive spaces in the Louvre to discuss AI strategies.
Paris itself becomes an AI hotspot during Side Events Week, which features private dinners, workshops, and meetups across the city. And for an even more intimate setting, the Versailles VIP Dinner brings together speakers, partners, and innovators for deeper conversations. This structured approach to networking helps create lasting collaborations within the AI ecosystem [2].
Focus on Ecosystem Building
The summit’s sessions are designed to spark impactful conversations through the 4F Compass framework: Foundation, Frontier, Friction, and Future. This structure encourages builders, investors, and policymakers to tackle challenges and seize opportunities together.
Two standout events - the Startup Competition (with a €5 million prize) and the Hackathon (offering €200,000) - further connect innovators with funding and technical insights. The Hackathon itself is a massive gathering, bringing in over 8,000 developers to tackle pressing industry problems. As Jonathan Ross, Founder and CEO of Groq, puts it:
"RAISE is where everyone in AI is going."
Collaboration Formats
For those needing privacy, the summit provides dedicated meeting rooms and lounges for confidential discussions among sponsors and executives. The EventMate platform adds another layer by using intelligent matchmaking to connect attendees based on shared goals and interests. Meanwhile, the co-located MACHINA Summit highlights AI and robotics, opening doors for even more industrial partnerships [5].
2. World AI Cannes Festival (WAICF)
Under the High Patronage of the President of the French Republic, the World AI Cannes Festival (WAICF) draws around 12,000 business professionals to the iconic Palais des Festivals. The February 2026 edition alone hosted 320 international speakers, 250 sessions, and 220 exhibitors [7][9]. What sets WAICF apart is its ability to connect a wide range of participants - from corporate leaders to budding startups - through tailored networking opportunities and focused event tracks. It’s a space where strategic partnerships take shape, fostering meaningful collaborations across the AI ecosystem.
Networking Opportunities
One of the festival’s standout moments is the VIP Cocktail Reception, where 300 senior AI leaders gather in the elegant Palais des Festivals Atrium. This exclusive sunset event, accessible via Premium Pass introductions, offers a relaxed yet productive environment for high-level networking [6].
The Exhibition Floor is another hotspot, bustling with over 220 exhibitors showcasing their innovations to potential partners and clients. For those keen on discovering fresh ideas, the Startup Pitch Stage presents 50 founders sharing their groundbreaking projects, giving investors and corporates a chance to spot promising opportunities. Additionally, Demo Sessions, open to all pass holders, allow attendees to experience AI technologies firsthand and evaluate their potential [8].
Industry-Specific Tracks
The festival’s programme is structured around four key pillars, each designed to address distinct collaboration needs:
- AI for Business: Focuses on scaling proofs of concept and finding practical applications for AI within organisations.
- AI Governance: Tackles ethics and regulation, bridging the gap between legal experts and policymakers.
- The Next AI Tech: Explores cutting-edge advancements like large language models, agentic AI, quantum computing, and robotics.
- Health AI Summit: Tailored for the medical field, highlighting innovations in drug discovery and clinical imaging partnerships [7][8].
These tracks not only showcase advancements but also provide a platform to celebrate achievements within the AI community. During the February 2026 event, the festival honoured standout contributors through its awards programme. Winners included AlProtein for the Impact Award, Ailytics for the Startup Award, and Microblink for the Excellence Award. The jury featured industry heavyweights like Francesca Rossi from IBM and Daniel Hulme from WPP [9]. By focusing on these specialised areas, WAICF creates a foundation for ongoing collaboration and innovation [9].
3. AI for Good Global Summit
Organized by the ITU in collaboration with 40 UN agencies and the Government of Switzerland, the AI for Good Global Summit is held annually in Geneva. The 2025 event is scheduled for 8–11 July and brings together governments, industry leaders, and innovators to tackle the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals [10].
Focus on Ecosystem Building
This summit serves as a bridge between AI innovators and key decision-makers from both public and private sectors, aiming to scale up global solutions. While the event itself lasts four days, its digital platform keeps the momentum alive by encouraging ongoing collaboration and fostering long-term partnerships [10].
Networking Opportunities
The summit is a hub for collaboration, offering dedicated matchmaking opportunities. The Leaders Lounge, an invitation-only space, facilitates high-level discussions, while the Youth Zone hosts activities like "FuturePitch!" to connect and support emerging innovators [10].
Industry-Specific Tracks
To ensure tangible outcomes, the programme zeroes in on six critical sectors: Health, Climate, Gender, Inclusive Prosperity, Sustainable Infrastructure, and Agriculture. Through panels and tailored workshops, the event transforms discussions into actionable initiatives, creating a space for hands-on sessions that lead to immediate progress [10].
Collaboration Formats
The summit provides a variety of ways to engage, including Frontier Stage keynotes, Solutions Stage panels focused on scalable applications, interactive workshops, and the FuturePitch! competition, which highlights innovative startups [10].
4. AI & Big Data Expo Europe
AI & Big Data Expo Europe is set to take place on 20–21 October 2026 at the RAI in Amsterdam. This event is expected to draw over 8,000 innovators, more than 200 expert speakers, and 200 exhibitors, all focusing on practical AI applications and fostering strategic partnerships [12]. What makes this expo stand out is its integration of multiple technologies, as it runs alongside five other major tech events: Cyber Security & Cloud, IoT Tech, Data Centre, Digital Transformation, and Intelligent Automation. This setup highlights how AI fits into the broader tech ecosystem.
Networking Opportunities
Attendees can benefit from an AI-powered networking app, available two weeks before the event for Gold, Speaker, Exhibitor, and Press pass holders. This app offers personalised recommendations tailored to professional goals and lets users schedule one-on-one meetings during the event [14]. On 20 October 2026, Gold pass holders and exhibitors can also join the Networking Drinks reception and an After Party.
For senior executives, the event provides an exclusive Executive Experience. This invite-only programme includes VIP lunches, coffee breaks, and breakfast sessions, all focused on leadership and data strategies [13]. Additional networking opportunities include a Meetup Zone for industry-specific communities, a Startup Zone connecting emerging tech companies with investors, and a Learning Hub offering hands-on workshops [11]. These formats create a space for meaningful discussions and collaborations across various sectors.
Industry-Specific Tracks
The conference programme features several focused tracks, including AI Strategy, Data at Scale, Enterprise AI Implementation, and an AI Developer Track that dives into MLOps and model lifecycles [16]. Industry-specific applications are also explored, with sessions covering sectors like manufacturing, retail, government, and healthcare [13]. Notable talks include Nathalia Beekman of Shell discussing "Turning Data into Decisions" and Philippe Rambach of Schneider Electric addressing how to align enterprise data architecture with AI adoption [16].
"This is a wonderful conference focused on data. The face-to-face interaction and being in conversations like we're having now is hard to replace so that's why we value being here."
– Basil Faruqui, Director Solutions Marketing, BMC Software [12]
The event offers free tickets for access to the expo floor and free stage content. For those looking for a deeper experience, Gold tickets include access to all conference tracks, the AI-powered networking app, and the VIP Networking Party [15].
5. CogX Festival
CogX Festival stands out as a dynamic gathering for AI professionals looking to build strategic partnerships. The 2023 edition in London drew an impressive 27,000 visitors and featured over 500 speakers. Meanwhile, the 2024 Los Angeles festival, with 164 speakers and 2,100 attendees, revolved around a key theme: "How do we get the next 10 years right?" [17].
Focus on Ecosystem Building
The festival is built on five core pillars: Inspirational Editorial, Executive Programme, Expo & Awards, Premier Networking, and Research & Intelligence [17]. This structure brings together a diverse mix of global leaders, innovators, creatives, and policymakers. As Charlie Muirhead, CEO and Co-Founder of CogX, explains:
"CogX explores the biggest transformation opportunities of our time, how do we proactively address the biggest challenges we will find along the way, and ultimately address the pivotal question... 'how do we get the next 10 years right?'" [17]
Expanding from its London origins, CogX now hosts events in Los Angeles, tapping into the vibrant tech scene of Southern California. This global reach mirrors a growing trend of cross-industry collaboration, with tracks covering areas like climatetech, life sciences, and quantum computing alongside AI and DeepTech [17].
Networking Opportunities
Networking is a cornerstone of CogX, with exclusive executive sessions and an Executive Programme tailored to decision-makers [17]. Attendees can participate as sponsors, speakers, or ambassadors to build impactful partnerships. For partnership inquiries, the organisers can be reached at partnerships@cogx.live [17].
The festival also highlights innovation through the CogX Awards, now in its 8th year, celebrating individuals and organisations shaping the future [17]. For startups, the Startup Programme offers a direct connection to venture capitalists, industry operators, and corporate partners. Partnerships with groups like AI LA, Startup Grind, and Plug and Play further expand the networking possibilities [19][20].
Industry-Specific Tracks
CogX Festival delves into diverse topics, offering tracks such as Generative AI, Future of Work, Cinema & AI, Race to Net Zero, and Capital Allocation [17][18]. These sessions tackle AI strategies, implementation, and applications across fields like healthcare, education, and legal services [20]. By combining expert speakers with focused discussions, the festival fosters meaningful, cross-industry dialogue [17].
As a platform, CogX continues to unite visionaries, investors, and policymakers, driving forward practical solutions and innovation.
Conclusion
AI events have grown into much more than just networking opportunities. They’ve become essential hubs where deals are made, strategies are shaped, and ecosystems are built. Today, these gatherings focus on what experts call "intimacy at scale". This means creating curated spaces where over 80% of attendees include C-level executives, founders, investors, and policymakers, all working together to turn AI ambitions into real-world outcomes like pilot projects and signed agreements [1][4].
Leading AI summits now draw over 9,000 global decision-makers and feature investors managing more than €600 billion in assets. These events also attract top executives from Fortune 500 companies, making them critical for aligning capital, computational resources, and policy [1][4]. As Hadrien de Cournon, Co-Founder of RAISE Summit, aptly puts it:
"This forum sets strategy and commits capital" [4].
The numbers speak for themselves - targeted networking and well-structured interactions drive real results. To get the most out of these events, participants can leverage AI-powered matchmaking tools for impactful one-on-one meetings [4]. Beyond the main agenda, side events like VIP dinners, workshops, and smaller group sessions often lead to the most valuable and lasting connections [1][2]. Startups also benefit significantly, with competitions offering €5 million in prizes, while hackathons with €200,000 rewards bring thousands of developers together to tackle pressing challenges [2].
FAQs
How do I choose the right AI event for my partnership goals?
To pick the right AI event, start by identifying your goals - whether it's networking, showcasing your tech, or seeking investment. For instance, the RAISE Summit, set to take place in Paris on 8–9 July 2026, offers a range of opportunities. These include C-level networking, startup competitions, and sponsorship options to increase your visibility. This event is designed to support strategic priorities like deal-making and fostering collaboration. Be sure to review the agenda, the attendee profile, and the timing to confirm it aligns with your partnership objectives.
How can I secure high-value 1:1 meetings before the event?
To lock in important one-on-one meetings before the RAISE Summit, make the most of the event’s networking platform and app. Start by filling out your profile with details about your interests and goals - this helps the AI matchmaking tool suggest relevant connections. Then, explore the recommended profiles, pick the ones that catch your eye, and send meeting requests directly through the app. Taking this proactive step ensures you schedule meaningful conversations ahead of time, making the most of your networking opportunities at the summit.
What should startups prepare to win prizes or close partnerships at these events?
Startups need to present a clear and compelling value proposition that not only highlights their originality but also underscores the positive impact they aim to have on society. Showcasing technical strength through demos or working prototypes can be a game-changer, as it adds credibility and makes the concept more tangible. When preparing pitches, tailor them to align with the event’s central themes, such as return on investment (ROI) or societal impact.
Networking is a must. Research key stakeholders ahead of time and actively participate in pre-event opportunities like hackathons or workshops. This helps establish connections and builds familiarity before the main event. Additionally, aligning your pitch and overall messaging with the event's focus - whether it's ethical AI, cutting-edge innovation, or another key area - can significantly enhance your chances of standing out.
