AIS26 is the 2026 AI in Science Summit, which is the annual flagship EU conference driving the implementation of the European Strategy on AI in Science.
The annual AI in Science (AIS) summit is the flagship EU conference driving the implementation of the European Strategy on AI in Science. The event is coordinated by University College Dublin and Research Ireland as part of Ireland’s EU Presidency Programme and as part of the European AI Innovation Month.
The overarching theme for AIS26 is ‘Reaching a New Level of Ambition in Research and Innovation’ for the public and private sectors. AI is more than an incremental enabler of existing methods; it can be a pathway to fundamentally different approaches and whole new areas of research.
Achieving the long-term vision for AI in science requires the joint action and coordination of academia, innovators, industry, policymakers, and investors. The keynote presentations will show the clear vision of what can be achieved while also highlighting the changes in policy, investment, technology, and research methods needed to reach that potential internationally. Attendees will explore the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on scientific discovery – and how Europe can drive this transformation with a distinctive and responsible approach.
At the core, AIS26 will focus on AI as an enabler of research in any area, but it will feature additional strands covering how AI can transform research in a variety of critical domain areas.
To deliver on the ambition to be a global leader in AI, AIS26 will also explore the role of the EU as a convenor and hub of global collaboration on AI in Science. The role of international partners beyond the EU will be a key topic.
The event aligns with the European Strategy for Artificial Intelligence in Science which aims to strengthen Europe’s scientific and technological leadership by harnessing the power of AI in research. It also seeks to empower scientists across disciplines to adopt advanced AI tools and methods in their work. The remarkable potential of AI in research has been highlighted by the OECD, UNESCO, and in national policy such as Ireland’s National Digital and AI Strategy 2030.
The event will demonstrate the progress of major EU AI initiatives, such as the Resource for AI Science in Europe (RAISE), which are instrumental in driving activity. The event will inform the future development of these major enablers by providing a forum to explore the barriers and enablers to accelerate access and adoption.
Bringing together the global community across different sectors and disciplines will enable this event to be a landmark moment in the development of the future of research.