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

AI Festival will return to Milan on Feb. 11-12, 2027, at Superstudio Maxi, bringing together companies, startups, investors, researchers and public institutions around artificial intelligence. The event is expanding after its third edition drew more than 10,000 attendees and is adding more space for B2B meetings, advanced training and startup dealmaking.

Why it matters: - AI Festival 2027 is positioning itself as a larger meeting point for the global AI economy, with a stronger focus on commercial partnerships, advanced skills and startup funding. - The move to Superstudio Maxi gives the event more room for exhibitions, meetings, training and networking as demand grows. - Milan is using the festival to reinforce its role as a European hub for digital transformation and AI debate.

What happened: - AI Festival returns to Milan on Feb. 11-12, 2027, at Superstudio Maxi. - The event was created by Search On Media Group and is powered by WMF – We Make Future. - The festival will bring together Big Tech, corporations, startups, investors, research centers and industry professionals. - The 2027 edition will focus on AI applications, skills, business models and growth opportunities. - The event follows a third edition that drew more than 10,000 attendees, more than 200 speakers, 120+ sponsors, exhibitors and partners, and more than 800 B2B meetings. - The festival is held in collaboration with the Municipality of Milan and long-standing international partners including CINECA and ESA – European Space Agency.

The details: - Superstudio Maxi offers 10,000 square meters of combined indoor and outdoor space. - The venue change is meant to support a larger international audience and expand business, educational and networking activity. - The exhibition floor will include booths, robotics and tech prototypes. - B2B meetings and curated networking will connect AI developers, enterprises, startups, investment funds, corporate leaders, tech partners and decision-makers. - Companies and startups will be able to host proprietary business and networking events inside the official festival program. - The educational program will target senior professionals, managers, developers, innovation managers, entrepreneurs and decision-makers. - Sessions will include keynotes, case studies, panels, advanced workshops and deep-dive sessions. - The training agenda will address AI’s impact on business processes, manufacturing, services, workforce dynamics, governance, research and decision-making. - The festival aims to help attendees build advanced skills and a practical international perspective on AI adoption. - The startup and investment track will focus on startups, scaleups, venture capitalists, investment funds and corporate innovation teams. - Participants can present products on dedicated stages, join partner-hosted events and take part in the Innovation Track through panels and roundtables. - The 4th edition of AI For Future will serve 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 potential corporate partners and gain access to WMF’s international network. - Investors and funds will review vetted AI projects and market applications.

Between the lines: - The festival is broadening beyond a conference format into a business development platform for the AI supply chain, from early-stage startups to large enterprises. - The emphasis on advanced training suggests organizers see AI adoption as a leadership and workforce issue, not only a technology showcase. - The addition of proprietary company events signals a push to make the festival more commercially useful for participants seeking direct dealmaking. - The strong presence of public institutions and international partners suggests the event is also meant to shape policy, education and ecosystem coordination.

What's next: - AI Festival 2027 will take place over two days in Milan on Feb. 11-12, 2027. - Organizers are expected to continue building the programming and partner network around the expanded venue. - The festival will further develop as part of WMF for AI, the broader initiative focused on AI literacy, skills, awareness and market opportunities.

The bottom line: - AI Festival is scaling up in Milan with a bigger venue, more business programming and deeper professional training, aiming to turn AI interest into partnerships, skills and deals.