Cannes at the heart of the tech revolution: the World AI Cannes Festival returns in 2026

Cannes is preparing to reaffirm its role as a European hub for technological innovation with the return of the World AI Cannes Festival (WAICF), scheduled for 12 and 13 February 2026 at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès. Now in its fifth edition, the event continues to stand out as one of the leading international gatherings dedicated to artificial intelligence, bringing together industry leaders, researchers and institutions.

For two days, the city along the Croisette will become a true global AI hub, welcoming public and private decision-makers, technology companies, start-ups, researchers and investors eager to explore current and future applications of artificial intelligence. The festival aims to foster dialogue and accelerate the adoption of innovative solutions across multiple sectors of society.

Promoted by the EuropIA Institute, the City of Cannes and the RX Group, the WAICF seeks to make artificial intelligence more understandable, accessible and strategic, both for businesses and public administrations, while addressing major challenges related to governance, ethics and regulation.

The 2026 edition is expected to attract over 10,000 participants, with around 320 international speakers and 220 exhibitors, confirming the festival’s position as a key platform for business development, global networking and knowledge sharing. The programme will feature hundreds of conferences and round tables focusing on AI applications in business, emerging technologies—such as advanced language models, intelligent agents, robotics and quantum computing—and developments in healthcare AI, from scientific research to clinical practice.

Alongside the conference sessions, the festival will offer themed and demonstration areas, with a focus on technological innovation, public-sector solutions and meetings between start-ups, major industrial groups and international investors. Awards, live demos and high-level networking events are also on the agenda.

Among the key new features for 2026 are the AI Summit dedicated to public administrators and the new PublicTech area, designed to showcase practical and operational solutions for territories and public policies. The programme will also include high-profile keynote speeches from leading figures in technology, research and international institutions.

Over the years, the WAICF has established itself as a privileged observatory of AI-driven transformations, helping to shape strategies, trends and future scenarios in a sector set to profoundly redefine both the economy and society.