AI Festival returns to Milan in 2027 with bigger business and training focus

AI Festival will return to Milan on Feb. 11-12, 2027, moving to Superstudio Maxi as organizers expand the event’s business, education and networking agenda. The festival is designed to bring together AI companies, investors, startups, researchers and public institutions around commercial use cases and advanced training.

Why it matters: - AI Festival is aiming to become a larger European meeting point for AI business, talent and dealmaking. - The move to Superstudio Maxi gives the event 10,000 square meters of indoor and outdoor space for meetings, exhibitions and training. - The expanded format is meant to support companies, startups, investors and professionals as AI adoption accelerates across industries.

What happened: - AI Festival will return to Milan on Feb. 11-12, 2027, at Superstudio Maxi. - Search On Media Group created the event and WMF – We Make Future powers it. - The festival is built around the global AI ecosystem, including Big Tech, corporations, startups, investors, research centers and industry professionals. - The event will again be held in collaboration with the Municipality of Milan and international partners including CINECA and ESA – European Space Agency. - The 2027 edition follows a third edition that drew more than 10,000 attendees, more than 200 speakers, 120-plus sponsors, exhibitors and partners, and more than 800 B2B meetings.

The details: - Superstudio Maxi was selected to support a bigger international audience and to expand business, educational and networking opportunities. - The venue will support a larger exhibition floor, expanded B2B meeting areas, advanced educational sessions and new networking and deal-making activities. - International AI business remains a core focus, with spaces and sessions aimed at AI buyers and sellers. - The exhibition floor will feature booths, robotics and tech prototypes, alongside curated networking and B2B meetings. - Participants will be able to explore market-ready tools, software, services, infrastructure and AI applications. - Companies and startups will be able to host proprietary business and networking events inside the official festival program. - The educational program targets senior professionals, managers, developers, innovation managers, entrepreneurs and decision-makers. - The program will include keynotes, case studies, panel discussions, advanced workshops and deep-dive sessions. - Organizers say the training track is intended to cover AI’s impact on business processes, manufacturing, services, workforce dynamics, governance, research and decision-making. - The goal is to equip attendees with advanced skills and an international perspective on AI adoption. - The festival will maintain a strong focus on startups, scaleups, investment funds, venture capitalists and corporate innovation units. - Participants will be able to show products on the exhibition floor, pitch on dedicated stages and join partner-hosted events, panels and roundtables in the Innovation Track. - The 4th edition of AI For Future will return as the flagship competition for AI-based startups. - AI For Future is designed to connect startups with capital, deal flow, industry expertise and global reach. - Startups will present solutions, meet corporate partners and access WMF’s international network. - Funds and investors will be able to review vetted AI projects and market applications. - AI Festival sits within WMF for AI, a broader initiative focused on AI literacy, skills, awareness and market opportunities.

Between the lines: - The move to a larger venue signals that AI Festival is shifting from a conference format toward a broader business platform. - The emphasis on advanced training suggests organizers see demand not just for AI showcases, but for practical implementation guidance. - The mix of public-sector partners, research institutions and investors points to a strategy that blends policy, innovation and commercialization. - Milan is positioning itself as a hub for Europe’s AI and digital transformation conversation.

What's next: - Organizers will build out the 2027 program around business events, training sessions and Innovation Track activities. - Companies, startups and investors will use the event to pursue partnerships, fundraising and commercial opportunities. - The festival will continue as the AI vertical within the WMF ecosystem.