The meteoric rise of Artificial Intelligence has been nothing short of transformative. What was once a niche academic field is now a dominant force reshaping every industry on the planet. This hyper-growth is perfectly embodied by a new generation of AI unicorns like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Databricks, which have achieved massive valuations at a speed previously unimaginable. As these companies scale, they aren't just building products; they're building entire ecosystems. A key part of this strategy is launching their own global conferences—like the Data + AI Summit—which have rapidly become must-attend events in their own right. This incredible momentum has rippled across the entire industry, causing the landscape of AI events to expand globally. This guide is your map to the 25 most essential gatherings where the future of AI will be debated, demonstrated, and defined.
USA
1. CES (Consumer Electronics Show)
- Overview: While not exclusively an AI conference, CES is where the world's biggest tech companies showcase their latest AI-powered consumer products. It’s a first look at how AI is being applied in the real world.
- Who is it for?: Tech executives, product managers, investors, and anyone interested in consumer technology trends.
- Location: Las Vegas, USA
- Dates: Projected: January 7-10, 2026
- Pricing: Varies.
- Website: https://www.ces.tech
2. NVIDIA GTC (GPU Technology Conference)
- Overview: NVIDIA's global AI conference is the epicenter for GPU-accelerated computing. It’s where the latest breakthroughs in AI hardware, software (CUDA), and applications in fields like generative AI and robotics are announced.
- Who is it for?: AI researchers, data scientists, developers, and engineers working on high-performance computing.
- Location: San Jose, USA & Virtual
- Dates: Projected: March 23-26, 2026
- Pricing: Varies (Digital attendance is often free).
- Website: https://www.nvidia.com/gtc/
3. Google Cloud Next
- Overview: While a cloud conference at its core, Google Cloud Next is now one of the most important AI events of the year. Expect major announcements around Google's Gemini models, Vertex AI platform, and applied AI solutions for enterprise.
- Who is it for?: Developers, data scientists, IT professionals, and business leaders using Google Cloud.
- Location: Las Vegas, USA
- Dates: Projected: April 2026
- Pricing: To be announced.
- Website: https://cloud.google.com/next
4. Data + AI Summit (by Databricks)
- Overview: The premier event for the data and AI community, focused on the Databricks Lakehouse Platform. It covers everything from data engineering and governance to the latest trends in large language models (LLMs) and generative AI.
- Who is it for?: Data engineers, data scientists, machine learning engineers, and data analysts.
- Location: San Francisco, USA
- Dates: Projected: June 2026
- Pricing: Varies based on pass type.
- Website: https://www.databricks.com/dataaisummit/
5. DEF CON AI Village
- Overview: A specialised "village" within the world's most famous hacking conference, DEF CON. This event is dedicated to the security of AI/ML systems, including adversarial attacks, model security, and the ethics of AI in security.
- Who is it for?: AI security researchers, ethical hackers, and cybersecurity professionals.
- Location: Las Vegas, USA
- Dates: Projected: August 2026
- Pricing: Included with DEF CON pass.
- Website: https://aivillage.org/
6. Ai4
- Overview: A large-scale conference focused on the practical application of AI in business. It brings together business leaders and data practitioners across various industry-specific tracks like finance, healthcare, and cybersecurity.
- Who is it for?: Business executives and technical leaders looking to implement AI solutions.
- Location: Las Vegas, USA
- Dates: Projected: August 2026
- Pricing: Varies (Often free for qualified executives).
- Website: https://ai4.io/
7. ODSC West (Open Data Science Conference)
- Overview: One of the largest applied data science conferences in the world. ODSC offers a huge range of hands-on training sessions, workshops, and talks on topics like deep learning, NLP, MLOps, and responsible AI.
- Who is it for?: Data scientists, software engineers, and developers of all skill levels.
- Location: San Francisco, USA
- Dates: Projected: October 2026
- Pricing: Varies based on pass type.
- Website: https://odsc.com/california
8. AWS re:Invent
- Overview: Amazon's massive cloud conference is a critical event for AI professionals. Expect major announcements related to Amazon Bedrock, SageMaker, and the hardware that powers AI on AWS. The event features thousands of technical sessions on AI/ML.
- Who is it for?: AWS users of all levels, from beginners to advanced AI/ML engineers.
- Location: Las Vegas, USA
- Dates: Projected: December 2026
- Pricing: Varies (Conference pass is typically around $2,000).
- Website: https://reinvent.awsevents.com/
Europe & Middle East
9. Cybertech Global Tel Aviv
- Overview: A world-leading cybersecurity event where the intersection of AI and security is a central theme. It features high-level keynotes from government and industry leaders, a massive exhibition floor, and extensive networking.
- Who is it for?: CISOs, cybersecurity professionals, government officials, investors, and AI security experts.
- Location: Tel Aviv, Israel
- Dates: Projected: January 2026
- Pricing: Varies based on pass type.
- Website: https://www.cybertechisrael.com/
10. World AI Cannes Festival
- Overview: A unique event that gathers top AI providers, industry leaders, and researchers in a glamorous setting. It focuses on tangible business applications of AI and provides significant C-level networking opportunities.
- Who is it for?: Business leaders, AI strategists, and tech innovators looking to apply AI in their organizations.
- Location: Cannes, France
- Dates: Projected: February 12-14, 2026
- Pricing: Varies based on pass type.
- Website: https://www.worldaicannes.com
11. Data Innovation Summit
- Overview: The largest and most influential data, analytics, and AI event in the Nordic region. It’s a comprehensive conference covering everything from data management and analytics to applied AI and MLOps.
- Who is it for?: Data scientists, engineers, business analysts, and IT executives in the Scandinavian region.
- Location: Stockholm, Sweden
- Dates: Projected: April 2026
- Pricing: Varies based on pass type.
- Website: https://datainnovationsummit.com/
12. AI Week Tel Aviv
- Overview: Hosted by Tel Aviv University, this is one of Israel’s largest AI events, bringing together top researchers, data scientists, and industry leaders, bridging the gap between academic research and real-world AI applications.
- Who is it for?: AI researchers, data scientists, entrepreneurs, and students from academia and industry.
- Location: Tel Aviv, Israel
- Dates: Projected: May 2026
- Pricing: Varies based on pass type.
- Website: https://aiweek.tau.ac.il/
13. The AI Summit London
- Overview: Part of the global AI Summit series, this event brings together business and technology leaders to discuss the practical application of AI in the enterprise. It features tracks on AI in finance, healthcare, and retail.
- Who is it for?: C-suite executives, heads of innovation, and AI product managers.
- Location: London, UK
- Dates: Projected: June 11-12, 2026
- Pricing: Varies (Passes for end-users are often free or discounted).
- Website: https://london.theaisummit.com/
14. CogX Festival
- Overview: A massive festival in London that gathers leaders from technology, government, and industry to discuss the impact of AI on society. It’s known for its broad scope, high-profile speakers, and forward-looking conversations.
- Who is it for?: Policymakers, CEOs, entrepreneurs, scientists, and artists.
- Location: London, UK
- Dates: Projected: June 2026
- Pricing: Varies based on pass type.
- Website: https://www.cogxfestival.com/
15. World Summit AI
- Overview: A globally recognised summit that brings together the entire AI ecosystem, from enterprises and startups to academics and investors. It has a strong focus on applied AI, ethics, and building global partnerships.
- Who is it for?: AI executives, entrepreneurs, investors, and researchers.
- Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Dates: Projected: October 8-9, 2026
- Pricing: Varies based on pass type.
- Website: https://worldsummit.ai/
16. AI Days Turkey
- Overview: The leading AI and technology summit in Turkey, bringing together local and international experts. It focuses on the business applications of AI, data analytics, and digital transformation within the Turkish market.
- Who is it for?: Business executives, data scientists, and technology professionals in Turkey and the surrounding region.
- Location: Istanbul, Turkey
- Dates: Projected: November 2026
- Pricing: Varies based on pass type.
- Website: https://turkiye.ai/ai-days/
17. AI & Big Data Expo Global
- Overview: A large-scale event focused on the business applications of AI and Big Data. It's co-located with expos on IoT and Cybersecurity, attracting a broad audience of enterprise technology professionals.
- Who is it for?: IT decision-makers, developers, and business leaders looking to explore AI solutions.
- Location: London, UK
- Dates: Projected: November 2026
- Pricing: Varies (Free expo pass usually available).
- Website: https://www.ai-expo.net/global/
Asia & Middle East
18. AAAI Conference on Artificial Intelligence
- Overview: One of the longest-running and most respected academic conferences in AI. AAAI covers the full breadth of AI research, from machine learning and robotics to ethics and societal impact.
- Who is it for?: AI researchers, computer scientists, and academics.
- Location: Singapore
- Dates: January 20-27, 2026
- Pricing: Requires paid registration.
- Website: https://aaai.org/conference/aaai/
19. AI EXPO TOKYO
- Overview: Japan's largest trade show for AI technology. It gathers a vast range of AI solutions and technologies for various industries including manufacturing, finance, and retail.
- Who is it for?: Business executives, IT managers, and developers looking to source AI technologies in the Japanese market.
- Location: Tokyo, Japan
- Dates: Projected: May 2026
- Pricing: Typically free with pre-registration.
- Website: https://www.nextech-week.jp/hub/en-gb/visit/ai.html
20. World AI Show
- Overview: A global series of events that brings together enterprises, government agencies, and AI solution providers. The Dubai edition is particularly notable, focusing on the UAE's National AI Strategy and real-world implementation case studies.
- Who is it for?: CIOs, CTOs, government officials, and AI solution providers in the MENA region.
- Location: Dubai, UAE
- Dates: Projected: September 2026
- Pricing: Varies based on pass type.
- Website: https://worldaishow.com/
21. AI Summit Singapore
- Overview: The premier event for applied AI in the APAC region. Part of the global AI Summit series, it focuses on business outcomes and connects enterprise buyers with leading AI vendors and startups.
- Who is it for?: Business and technology leaders from across Asia-Pacific looking to deploy AI.
- Location: Singapore
- Dates: Projected: October 2026
- Pricing: Varies based on pass type.
- Website: https://singapore.theaisummit.com/
22. GITEX GLOBAL
- Overview: One of the world's largest and most influential tech and startup events. Its "AI Everything" segment is a massive showcase of global AI innovation, attracting government delegations and enterprises from across the globe to Dubai.
- Who is it for?: Government leaders, enterprise buyers, investors, and tech professionals from every industry.
- Location: Dubai, UAE
- Dates: Projected: October 2026
- Pricing: Varies.
- Website: https://www.gitex.com/
Premier Academic Conferences (Rotating Locations)
23. CVPR (Conference on Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition)
- Overview: The top international academic conference on computer vision. This is where the most groundbreaking research papers on topics like image recognition and generative models are presented.
- Who is it for?: Academics, PhD students, and industry researchers in computer vision and AI.
- Location: To be announced (rotates globally).
- Dates: Projected: June 2026
- Pricing: Requires paid registration.
- Website: https://cvpr.thecvf.com/
24. ICML (International Conference on Machine Learning)
- Overview: Along with NeurIPS, one of the premier academic conferences on machine learning, featuring cutting-edge research papers that attract the world’s leading AI academics and corporate research labs.
- Who is it for?: Machine learning researchers, academics, and graduate students.
- Location: To be announced (rotates globally).
- Dates: Projected: July 2026
- Pricing: Requires paid registration.
- Website: https://icml.cc/
25. NeurIPS (Conference on Neural Information Processing Systems)
- Overview: Arguably the most prestigious academic conference in AI and machine learning. NeurIPS is where the most significant theoretical and algorithmic breakthroughs in the field are presented.
- Who is it for?: AI researchers, academics, PhD students, and corporate research labs.
- Location: To be announced (rotates globally).
- Dates: Projected: December 2026
- Pricing: Requires paid registration.
- Website: https://nips.cc/
Conclusion
The AI landscape moves at lightning speed, fueled by a truly global and diverse ecosystem of innovation. These 25 events are more than just entries on a calendar; they are the active marketplaces where groundbreaking ideas are funded, top talent is discovered, and the next wave of strategic partnerships is formed. Standing still means falling behind. This list is your map to the forefront of the revolution. Choose your destination.