This Monday marks the return of the Web Summit, widely considered Europe’s biggest tech conference, to Lisbon.
Now in its ninth year in the Portuguese capital, the event brings together an impressive lineup of over 900 speakers, 2,500 start-ups, and 1,000 investors, attracting around 70,000 participants.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is the main theme of the event, from “vibe coding” – where AI writes code based on a programmer’s intent – to questions about who truly controls this technology and who benefits from it.
The programme also delves into how governments are adapting to the AI era, China’s “silent” influence on global innovation, and the growing energy demands of data centres worldwide.
Portuguese telecom operator MEO continues its partnership as a key technology sponsor, providing fixed, mobile, and Wi-Fi connectivity across the venue.
The event opens with the traditional “Opening Night”, featuring appearances from Deputy Minister for State Reform Gonçalo Matias, Lisbon’s Mayor Carlos Moedas, and tennis icon Maria Sharapova, among other notable guests.
Last year’s edition set a record with more than 71,000 attendees from 153 countries. The event was first held in Lisbon in 2016 and will continue to call the Portuguese capital home until at least 2028.
