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 and researchers around artificial intelligence business, education and partnerships. The move to a larger venue signals the event’s expansion after its 2026 edition drew more than 10,000 attendees and over 800 B2B meetings.

Why it matters: - AI Festival is positioning itself as a larger European hub for AI dealmaking, training and ecosystem building. - The move to Superstudio Maxi gives the event 10,000 square meters of indoor and outdoor space for more exhibition, meeting and education activity. - The 2027 edition aims to connect AI buyers, sellers, investors, startups and decision-makers in one place. - The festival also puts advanced AI training in front of professionals who need practical tools to adopt AI in business and public-sector settings.

What happened: - AI Festival will return to Milan on Feb. 11-12, 2027. - Search On Media Group created the event, and WMF – We Make Future powers it. - The festival will take place at Superstudio Maxi in Milan, Italy. - The event will again be run with the Municipality of Milan and partners including CINECA and ESA – European Space Agency. - The prior edition drew more than 10,000 attendees, more than 200 speakers, 120+ sponsors, exhibitors and partners, and more than 800 B2B meetings.

The details: - The festival will gather Big Tech, corporations, startups, investors, research centers and industry professionals. - Organizers say the event will focus on AI applications, skills, business models and growth opportunities. - Superstudio Maxi offers 10,000 square meters of combined indoor and outdoor space. - The larger venue will support a bigger exhibition floor, expanded B2B areas, advanced educational sessions and more networking and dealmaking. - The business program will include booths, robotics, tech prototypes, B2B meetings and curated networking. - Companies and startups will be able to host proprietary business and networking events inside the official program. - The training track targets senior professionals, managers, developers, innovation managers, entrepreneurs and decision-makers. - Sessions will include keynotes, case studies, panel discussions, workshops and deep dives on AI’s impact on business, manufacturing, services, workforce dynamics, governance, research and decision-making. - The festival’s startup track will focus on pre-seed through scaleup companies, investment funds, venture capitalists and corporate innovation teams. - Participants can pitch on dedicated stages, join partner-hosted events and take part in the Innovation Track. - The 4th edition of AI For Future will return as the flagship competition for AI startups. - The competition is designed to connect startups with capital, deal flow, expertise and international reach.

Between the lines: - The venue move suggests the festival is trying to scale beyond a conference into a broader commercial marketplace for AI. - The emphasis on training, ethics, legal issues and human rights shows the event is framing AI adoption as both a business priority and a public-interest issue. - Milan is using the festival to reinforce its role as a European center for digital transformation.

What's next: - Organizers will build the 2027 program around business matchmaking, advanced education and startup-investor connections. - Startups will present solutions, meet corporate partners and access WMF’s international network. - Investors and funds will review vetted AI projects and market applications. - AI Festival 2027 will take place in Milan on Feb. 11-12, 2027.