Ireland has unveiled an early line-up for the International AI Summit 2026, with gov.ie confirming a major gathering of political leaders, technology executives and research voices ahead of the country’s EU Presidency spotlight. The announcement positions Dublin as a key venue for debate on trustworthy artificial intelligence, competitiveness and Europe’s next phase of digital growth.
According to the government announcement, the summit will be one of the flagship events of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union. It will also open registration for the Innovation Spotlight Exhibition, a showcase designed for organisations developing cutting-edge AI products and services.
gov.ie reveals first confirmed names for AI Summit 2026
The event will be officially backed by the Department of the Taoiseach and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, with Taoiseach Micheál Martin set to attend alongside Minister Peter Burke and Minister of State Niamh Smyth. The summit reflects a wider national push across Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Education, Further and Higher Education, Finance and Public Expenditure to strengthen Ireland’s digital economy.
Among the first confirmed speakers announced on gov.ie are:
- Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy at the European Commission
- Cristiano Amon, President and CEO of Qualcomm
- Robert Gentz, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Zalando
- Eileen O’Mara, Chief Revenue Officer at Stripe
- Edmond Scanlon, CEO of Kerry Group
Government officials said more high-profile speakers will be announced in the coming weeks, suggesting the programme will expand significantly before the October event.
Why the International AI Summit matters for Ireland and Europe
The International AI Summit 2026 will take place on 14 October 2026 at the Royal Dublin Society under the theme Harnessing AI to Revolutionise Europe’s Competitiveness. The central policy question is how Europe can scale AI innovation while protecting democratic values, public trust and human-centric standards.
This is closely aligned with national priorities promoted through gov.ie and agencies such as IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). It also connects with broader state interests involving the Central Bank, CSO, Health Service Executive (HSE), Data Protection Commission (DPC) and Coimisiún na Meán, all of which operate in areas increasingly shaped by automation, data governance and digital oversight.
Innovation Spotlight Exhibition opens for applications
A major feature of the summit is the Innovation Spotlight Exhibition. This platform will allow start-ups, scale-ups, SMEs and multinational firms from Ireland, Europe and beyond to present AI solutions directly to policymakers, investors, media and senior business leaders.
For Irish firms, the opportunity is especially significant. It offers visibility not only to international investors but also to decision-makers connected to sectors such as Health, Transport, Agriculture, Housing and Justice, where artificial intelligence is increasingly expected to improve efficiency and service delivery.
What leaders are saying
Micheál Martin described AI as a generational opportunity for Europe, stressing that innovation must be paired with democratic values and public trust. Peter Burke said the summit will highlight how AI can strengthen both Irish and EU competitiveness, while Niamh Smyth pointed to Ireland’s growing role in AI investment, policy leadership and start-up development.
Explore more: top Ireland technology trends, AI regulation and innovation stories | European leadership events and premium business insights
gov.ie summit underscores Ireland’s AI ambitions
The summit will also mark the launch of European AI Innovation Month and support the state’s National Digital and AI Strategy. Attendance is expected to reach around 1,500 delegates, including CEOs, investors, multinationals, public sector leaders and international media.
With gov.ie now opening the next phase of public engagement, the message is clear: Ireland wants to be seen not just as a host, but as a serious contributor to Europe’s AI future. For businesses, researchers and policymakers, the International AI Summit 2026 could become one of the most influential tech-policy events on the Irish calendar.
Article/Image Courtesy: gov.ie
