EDIH Summit 2026: Strengthening the AI Innovation Ecosystem

Europe’s AI ambition is expanding. With the AI Act in force, the AI Continent Action Plan adopted and the Apply AI Strategy underway, the policy framework is established. The key question now is whether the ecosystem is functioning effectively: whether SMEs and public administrations can access the right infrastructure, obtain trusted guidance, and progress from initial interest to meaningful AI adoption. This is the central question that this year’s Summit seeks to address. 

The EDIH Summit 2026 brings together the full European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIH) network, EU institutions, Member States, AI infrastructures and innovation actors to examine how Europe’s AI ecosystem functions in practice. Sessions will explore how EDIHs connect organisations with other actors of the EU AI innovation ecosystem such as AI Factories, Testing and Experimentation Facilities (TEFs) and regulatory sandboxes; how common tools and assessment frameworks support this work; and how proven approaches can be scaled across regions and sectors. A forward-looking thread runs throughout: as generative and agentic AI reshape what organisations need, how must support structures adapt? 

For EDIHs, the Summit provides an opportunity to compare approaches, bring shared challenges to the fore, and identify areas where closer coordination is required. It also offers a timely occasion to reflect on the evolving role of the hubs as AI experience centres, serving not merely as access points, but as active guides within a rapidly changing technological and regulatory landscape. The programme is built around practical exchange and concrete outputs, with space for EDIHs to contribute directly to discussions that will shape the network’s priorities in the year ahead.

Two days of policy alignment and practical exchange: 

• Plenary sessions on Europe’s AI policy direction and ecosystem coherence 

• Parallel workshops and thematic working groups grounded in EDIH experience 

• Matchmaking linking EDIHs, SMEs and AI partners 

• A dedicated session on common EDIH tools: revised KPIs, DMAT2 updates and new dashboards 

• The EDIH Network Awards 2026, celebrating impactful initiatives across the network

The Summit is open to: 

• European Digital Innovation Hubs - up to two participants per hub 

• SMEs and public administrations actively working on AI adoption (limited slots) 

• Ecosystem partners, including AI infrastructures, EU initiatives and policy actors 

Attendance is free of charge. Places are limited and subject to confirmation.

The Summit includes a dedicated matchmaking space where you can meet one-to-one with peers, potential partners and ecosystem actors from across Europe. Meetings are self-arranged through the B2Match platform: once registered, you can browse participant profiles and request meetings ahead of the event. To make the most of this, we strongly encourage all participants to complete both their organisational and personal profiles on B2Match before the Summit. The quality of your matches depends directly on the information you share - the more complete your profile, the easier it is for the right people to find you.

Programme updates will be published on the EDIH Network Portal and via the DTA newsletter. 

For questions, contact the DTA Secretariat at support@edihnetwork.eu