AI conferences are no longer just networking events - they are where companies make critical decisions about technology, investments, and regulations. Events like the RAISE Summit gather top executives, investors, and policymakers to discuss and implement AI strategies that drive business growth. Key takeaways include:
- High-level networking: Over 80% of attendees at RAISE are C-level executives or founders, making it a hub for partnerships and deals.
- Actionable frameworks: Tools like the "4F Compass" (Foundation, Frontier, Friction, Future) help organisations assess AI maturity and plan deployments.
- Emerging trends: Topics like agentic AI, sovereign AI, and compute-energy balance dominate discussions.
- Practical insights: Sessions focus on scaling AI, governance, and ROI measurement, with real-world case studies from startups and established companies.
RAISE Summit 2026 (8–9 July, Paris) promises to deliver more opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and actionable strategies. Whether you're a startup or an enterprise, this is where AI ambitions turn into measurable outcomes.
Integrating Generative AI Into Business Strategy: Dr. George Westerman
Key Trends and Insights from RAISE Summit
The RAISE Summit leverages its 4F Compass - Foundation, Frontier, Friction, and Future - to guide businesses in scaling AI from experimental stages to full-scale deployment [2]. This year's event showcased how these principles shape decisions around infrastructure, application rollouts, and long-term strategy.
One standout theme was Agentic AI, marking a shift from basic chatbots to autonomous systems capable of handling complex workflows without human input [3]. In July 2025, Anton Osika, CEO of Lovable, demonstrated this with his company’s remarkable growth - scaling from €0 to €75 million in Annual Recurring Revenue in just seven months. This was achieved through "agentic coding", enabling users to create software without writing code [3].
Another key focus was the Energy-Compute Nexus, highlighting the balance between escalating AI power demands and sustainability goals. Managing energy consumption while meeting environmental commitments has become a critical competitive edge for businesses [2]. Meanwhile, Sovereign AI emerged as a necessity for regulated industries, ensuring control over data, compliance, and infrastructure [3].
These overarching trends were further explored through keynotes and panels addressing sector-specific challenges and opportunities.
Keynote Topics: AI in Healthcare, Cybersecurity, and Finance
In healthcare, AI is revolutionizing drug discovery and personalized medicine. One example: the "Molecules at Wafer-Scale" project presented by Danielle Belgrave of GSK and Natalia Vassilieva of Cerebras Systems. This initiative showcased how high-performance AI computing accelerates pharmaceutical research. Similarly, Sanofi’s Bruno Gagliardo and Snowflake’s Larry Orimoloye shared how AI integration across the pharmaceutical value chain is transforming operations, from research to market delivery. Shant Ayanian from the Mayo Clinic highlighted how AI-driven genomic analysis is enabling precision treatments tailored to individual patients [3].
Cybersecurity discussions focused on "Offensive Security" and the need for proactive frameworks to counter AI-powered threats. Speakers emphasized embedding governance and compliance into systems from the start to avoid costly retrofits. The rise of "hackers with GPUs" was a recurring theme, underscoring the urgency of evolving security models to keep pace with increasingly sophisticated attacks [3][6].
"AI is not just a tech thing anymore; it's every sector. You're starting to see the business models change with AI." – John Furrier, Co-founder, SiliconANGLE [6]
In finance, AI infrastructure was highlighted as essential for IPO readiness and operational resilience. Discussions explored token economies and usage-based models, challenging financial institutions to rethink how they measure value and allocate capital [2][6].
These keynotes set the stage for deeper, practical discussions during the panel sessions.
Panel Discussions: Real Applications and Implementation Challenges
Panels addressed the complexities of moving from pilot projects to scalable AI solutions [3]. A survey revealed that 93% of executives consider AI sovereignty a strategic priority for 2026 [7].
Ping Wu, CEO of Cresta, shared how his company achieved 90% service automation in enterprise deployments. He stressed the importance of robust data systems, clear evaluation metrics, and feedback loops to avoid pitfalls during large-scale implementations [3][6]. George Kurian, CEO of NetApp Inc., reinforced this point:
"Enterprises can't scale AI without first nailing their data infrastructure. From high-performance storage to widely deployed platforms, a strong foundation is critical for operational success." [6]
The discussions also explored agentic workflows, which are evolving from static software to adaptive systems. As Chris Hay, Distinguished Engineer at IBM, explained:
"We've moved past the era of single-purpose agents... In 2026, I see agent control planes and multi-agent dashboards becoming real." [7]
This shift raises new challenges in identity management, as non-human identities (AI agents) now outnumber human users. Organisations need near real-time visibility into what these agents access and execute [7].
The "Friction" track tackled key obstacles, such as ROI concerns, workforce adaptation, and navigating complex public policies [2]. Kevin Cochrane, CMO of Vultr, noted:
"By embedding governance into infrastructure from the start, sovereign cloud platforms... help companies avoid costly retrofits and accelerate time to production." [6]
Panels also highlighted the importance of converting unstructured data into actionable insights. Advanced parsing and indexing techniques were identified as crucial for turning AI projects into successful, scalable solutions [7]. These practical approaches equip business leaders with the tools to turn summit insights into actionable strategies that deliver measurable results.
Case Studies: Companies That Applied RAISE Summit Insights
Startup Success Stories from RAISE Summit Competitions
The "RAISE the Stakes" competition has become a launchpad for startups advancing AI technologies. In July 2025, Israeli startup Hirundo emerged as the winner out of 1,100 applicants. They impressed a jury that included representatives from OpenAI, Nvidia, Google, and Sequoia Capital with their machine unlearning platform. CEO Ben Luria showcased how their technology could selectively remove problematic data from trained models, achieving a 55% reduction in AI hallucinations and a 70% reduction in biases. Just weeks after the summit, Hirundo secured a €8M seed funding round led by Maverick Ventures Israel [8][9].
"Wider AI adoption will be empowered by helping AI forget bad behaviors and data. We're proud to pave the way as the first machine unlearning solution on the market." – Ben Luria, CEO and Co-founder, Hirundo [8]
Another standout, Drill Surgeries, presented ZAORY, a surgical guidance system that reduces operating times by 75% and cuts radiation exposure by 60% during trauma operations. Leveraging feedback from summit sessions, they refined their clinical implementation strategy [9]. Similarly, Mindflow introduced a no-code cybersecurity automation tool that eliminates 80% of manual analyst tasks, further underscoring how summit insights enable rapid advancements [9].
At the 2025 RAISE Hackathon, startup Ringy collaborated with Groq and Vultr to create a real-time customer support transcription tool. This project, developed during the 24-hour challenge, earned third place and led to an ongoing partnership with Vultr to deploy AI-powered call processing across their global infrastructure [10].
How Established Companies Applied RAISE Summit Insights
While startups use the summit as a springboard for innovation, established companies focus on refining and scaling their AI strategies. The exclusive CxO Summit offers a platform for CEOs and investors to move directly from discussions to actionable solutions. In 2025, the event attracted 822 CEOs from 168 Fortune 500 companies, alongside investors managing over $600 billion in assets [5]. These private sessions emphasized scaling AI from pilot projects to full-scale production using the 4Fs Framework.
One notable collaboration came from France-based serverless platform Koyeb, which partnered with Vultr during the summit. Together, they demonstrated how AI workloads could seamlessly operate across CPUs and GPUs without complex orchestration. This partnership, formed through summit networking, resulted in integrated solutions showcased in booth demos and in-theatre sessions [10].
"The CxO Summit exists so companies don't just talk about AI, they leave RAISE with real partnerships, pilots, and signed deals." – Hadrien de Cournon, Co-Founder of RAISE Summit [5]
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Building Networks and Partnerships at RAISE Summit
Connecting with Industry Leaders
The RAISE Summit has become a central hub for forming strategic partnerships and driving impactful business decisions. This event fosters what’s described as "high-density deal-making", bringing together innovators, investors, and policymakers in an environment designed for meaningful connections [1]. With over 80% of the 9,000+ attendees being C-level executives or founders, the summit operates like a global boardroom, where major decisions are shaped and executed in real time [1][2]. It’s not just networking - it’s about turning conversations into strategies that influence the future of industries.
The event is built around three key pillars - capital, compute, and policy - giving participants the tools to stay ahead of regulatory changes, infrastructure developments, and funding trends before they become widely known [1].
Jonathan Ross, CEO of Groq, highlighted the event's importance, saying:
"RAISE is where everyone in AI is going" [2]
Scheduled for 8–9 July 2026 at Le Carrousel du Louvre in Paris, the summit will feature over 350 top-tier speakers from leading tech companies and groundbreaking startups [2]. Beyond the main conference, the event transforms Paris with a city-wide "AI takeover", including exclusive dinners, meetups, and workshops designed to encourage deeper relationship-building [2]. The official "Schedule a Meeting" feature further enhances networking by enabling attendees to arrange direct meetings with key industry figures [2].
For those looking to maximize their experience, the summit also offers exclusive VIP opportunities that elevate these interactions to a whole new level.
Benefits of VIP Experiences
The CxO Summit is a private forum tailored for senior executives to discuss large-scale AI strategies and organizational frameworks [1]. This intimate setting strips away the distractions of larger events, allowing leaders to move from theoretical discussions to actionable plans.
VIP attendees are also treated to curated experiences like the Versailles VIP Dinner, an exclusive gathering of RAISE speakers, partners, and global innovators. This unique setting fosters meaningful conversations and long-term collaborations [1]. Reflecting on the atmosphere, Mike Mattacola, GM International at Coreweave, remarked:
"Amazing people, great vibe, and it is something Europe needs badly. We need everyone to get together in Europe more often and focus on how we can accelerate AI" [2]
These exclusive experiences are designed to create lasting partnerships that extend well beyond the two-day event, ensuring attendees leave with not just ideas, but actionable alliances.
Practical Strategies from RAISE Summit Sessions
RAISE Summit 2026 Attendance Plans and Pricing Comparison
Frameworks for Measuring AI ROI
One of the biggest hurdles for organisations today is proving the value of their AI investments. The RAISE Summit tackles this head-on with its dedicated "ROI Dilemma" track, offering tailored frameworks to help businesses turn AI aspirations into measurable results [2]. With over 350 speakers and participation from 2,000 companies, the event focuses on bridging the gap between ambition and tangible impact [2].
The RAIA AI Playbook Framework provides a clear structure for building business cases around AI investments [11]. This approach ensures that organisations set measurable goals from the beginning, making it easier to track the returns on their AI projects. Dr. Uri Yerushalmi from Fetcherr introduced an AI-Driven Decision Framework, showing how AI can enhance business performance through results that can be quantified [3].
Cresta’s sessions zero in on achieving "90% service automation", offering concrete metrics to evaluate efficiency improvements [3]. Meanwhile, keynotes from Galileo highlight tools that ensure consistent and reliable ROI in enterprise-level AI deployments [3]. A standout presentation by Malte Kosub (CEO of Parloa) and Laura Modiano from OpenAI detailed how Parloa scaled its AI-driven customer support model to become a European AI Unicorn. Their example serves as a practical guide for businesses looking to scale AI initiatives successfully [3].
Governance and Scaling Models for AI Implementation
The 4F Compass Framework - Foundation, Frontier, Friction, Future - provides a roadmap for navigating the challenges of scaling AI across organisations [4]. The summit’s "Frontier" track dives deep into topics like "Governance at Scale" and "Enterprise Governance, Security & Reliability", ensuring that AI solutions remain compliant and secure as they grow [4].
For companies transitioning from pilot projects to full-scale AI deployment, the "AI Adoption Frameworks: From Pilots to Production" sessions deliver actionable strategies [4]. Organisations operating across multiple regions can benefit from discussions on "Sovereign Cloud and Trusted Infrastructure" and "Building Cloud Strategy for AI-Driven Enterprises." These sessions address global compliance issues, including navigating regulations like the EU AI Act, through insights on "Public Policy, Governance & Geopolitics" [4][14].
"The focus is now on mastering large-scale integration and strategic scaling of AI across enterprises."
- Financial Times Live [14]
Practical strategies include adopting a "Flipped Interaction" model, where Generative AI engages by asking clarifying questions before delivering outputs [15]. Another key takeaway is the importance of building a strategic AI stack tailored to specific needs, spanning administrative, creative, distribution, and translation tools [15]. These approaches help organisations scale AI initiatives effectively, ensuring they align with both business goals and operational requirements.
RAISE Summit Attendance Plans Comparison
To help organisations apply these strategies, the RAISE Summit offers a variety of attendance plans tailored to different needs and budgets. Here’s a breakdown of the options:
| Plan | Price (VAT excluded) | Key Features | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| PRO | €999 | Exhibition & stage access, startup competition, networking app, food & drinks | Teams looking for full summit access and networking opportunities |
| VIP | €1,899 | All PRO perks, VIP lounge, MACHINA Summit access, startup pitch decks, industrial trend report | Senior executives seeking exclusive insights and networking |
| VIP MAX | €3,499 | All VIP perks, Royal Dinner at Versailles (executive/VIP guests only) | C-suite leaders focused on partnerships and strategic alliances |
| DEVELOPER | €599 | All PRO features (application required) | Developers aiming to deepen their technical AI expertise |
| STARTUP | €599 | All PRO features (for companies with <€5M funding, <4 years old) | Early-stage companies looking for connections and competition opportunities |
There’s also the MACHINA standalone ticket (€699 + VAT), which offers full-day access to the Physical AI Summit, perfect for organisations focused on robotics and physical AI integration [12]. Early-bird pricing is available, with standard rates increasing after 17 April 2026 for PRO tickets and 16 April 2026 for VIP options [12].
With over 9,000 attendees expected - 80% of whom are C-level executives or founders - the summit is a hub for real-time decision-making [2]. The €5 million startup competition prize pool further underscores its commitment to delivering actionable outcomes for businesses [2].
Conclusion: Using RAISE Summit for Long-Term Growth
The RAISE Summit has redefined how organisations tackle AI strategies by connecting ambitious goals with measurable outcomes. With over 9,000 attendees - 80% of whom are C-level executives and founders - it’s a space where critical decisions are made on the spot [2]. The event’s 4F Compass Framework offers a structured approach to embedding AI effectively across an organisation [2].
The rise of Agentic AI marks a transformative moment for businesses, enabling them to scale quickly by automating intricate, multi-step processes. Leaders like Anton Osika and Malte Kosub have demonstrated its potential to drive rapid growth through autonomous systems [3].
"RAISE is the world's leading AI summit... the definitive platform to move from AI ambition to real-world strategy and measurable impact."
- RAISE Summit [2]
RAISE also prioritises Sovereign AI and governance, ensuring growth aligns with regulatory standards like the EU AI Act. This focus helps organisations turn compliance into a competitive edge [2][14]. The summit’s €5 million startup competition prize pool and €200,000 hackathon underline its commitment to producing actionable results [2].
Next Steps for Implementing AI Insights
To turn AI strategies into tangible growth, start with a thorough audit of your current infrastructure. Assess whether your cloud and compute capabilities can handle scaling intelligence [2]. Use the 4F Compass Framework to evaluate key areas:
- Foundation: Check infrastructure and financial readiness.
- Frontier: Pinpoint transformative AI applications.
- Friction: Address challenges like ROI and governance.
- Future: Prepare for advancements like AGI and sustainability [2].
Leverage AI Adoption Frameworks to move from experimental projects to fully operational AI systems. Introduce governance protocols early and follow up with contacts from the summit using your CRM to fast-track collaborations [2][14][16].
Extend your engagement beyond the main event by tapping into the RAISE ecosystem. Side Events Week offers workshops, networking dinners, and meetups to build high-value partnerships. If robotics and autonomous systems are your focus, the MACHINA Summit provides specialised sessions [1]. Whether you choose the PRO (€999), VIP (€1,899), or VIP MAX (€3,499) plan, each tier provides access to insights and connections essential for maintaining a competitive edge.
Adopt a "Compute as Capital" mindset, treating compute power as a strategic asset rather than a mere IT cost. This approach is critical for scaling AI successfully [2]. Develop custom AI agents tailored to your organisation’s needs and conduct third-party risk assessments to address cybersecurity concerns [13][16]. By combining strategic frameworks with practical applications, RAISE Summit equips organisations to achieve sustained growth. Transitioning from AI ambition to actionable strategy requires decisive action - and RAISE provides the tools and network to make it happen.
FAQs
How do I use the 4F Compass to assess our AI maturity?
The 4F Compass is a framework for evaluating AI maturity across four key areas: Foundation, Frontier, Friction, and Future.
- Foundation focuses on assessing your current infrastructure and overall readiness for AI implementation.
- Frontier examines emerging technologies and innovations that could impact your AI capabilities.
- Friction identifies obstacles or challenges slowing down AI adoption within your organization.
- Future helps you outline a long-term vision and strategy for AI development.
This structured method not only highlights where you currently stand but also provides clear, actionable steps to refine and advance your AI strategy.
What should we put in place to scale AI from pilots to production?
To move AI from small-scale trials to full-scale implementation, it's crucial to integrate AI into everyday workflows and show clear, measurable results. Focus on replicating proven use cases, gaining strong support from leadership, and tying pilot projects to well-defined business objectives.
Make sure your systems are ready for production by building scalable infrastructure, establishing governance protocols, and implementing effective monitoring. Events like the RAISE Summit can be valuable, offering insights into frameworks such as the 4F Compass, which guide organisations in merging AI with their strategies and infrastructure for smoother scaling.
How can we measure AI ROI without overcomplicating it?
To evaluate AI ROI effectively, concentrate on key metrics that directly connect to your business objectives. These might include cost reductions, increases in revenue, or improvements in time efficiency. Simple approaches, such as cost–benefit analysis or tracking key performance indicators (KPIs), can help you weigh the benefits against the initial investments. By tying AI applications to measurable outcomes, you can achieve clear, near-term results, making it straightforward to assess success and support future investment decisions without overcomplicating the process.
