AI in the City 2026

About the Event

Where AI Meets Urban Values

On 23, 24 and 25 September 2026 we are organising the third edition of the AI in the City Event in Breda, the Netherlands. And from this year onwards, we are going international. Because just like the challenges, the solutions are European too.

During AI in the City 2026 we learn how fellow Europeans are using AI to tackle the major challenges in their cities, keeping regions, towns and villages across Europe liveable, and creating real value for their residents in the process.

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What to Expect

AI as an opportunity to create real value

AI offers the tools to address the challenges facing cities. Increasingly, data is available that can be analysed using AI systems — providing insight into how cities and regions function, and enabling governments to make better decisions. AI can also be deployed to create real value for the city.

Democratic value

AI makes government more accessible, faster and more human. Residents get answers sooner, are involved earlier in shaping their neighbourhoods, and experience a government that feels closer to home. Policy connects better with the reality of the street. Cities learn from each other and don't have to reinvent the wheel.

Spatial value

AI strengthens the quality of the city on its own terms. Urban planning becomes smarter, area development better informed and procedures faster — but always rooted in local data and context. A city is more than a dataset. AI amplifies the genius loci rather than replacing it.

Economic value

AI makes execution more efficient: lower costs, less waste and more output with the same capacity. At the same time, AI stimulates innovation and new economic activity, contributing to the economic growth of cities and regions.

Social value

AI always serves human wellbeing and contributes to a sustainable and prosperous future. Cities invest in AI applications that are ecologically responsible and support climate adaptation, the energy transition and long-term liveability.

Autonomous value

People retain control over AI systems — not the other way around. Cities work towards human-centred AI that reduces dependence on Big Tech and strengthens Europe's digital sovereignty. AI contributes to a safe living environment and a resilient society.

By the Numbers

350+ Attendees

3 Days

30+ Sessions

50+ Speakers

Who Should Attend?

AI in the City brings together diverse perspectives — from professionals to administrators, from experts to residents.

Professionals

Policy advisors, project managers, and urban planners working on smart city initiatives.

Residents of Breda

Engaged citizens who want to understand and shape AI in their communities.

Experts & Researchers

Academics, data scientists, and AI specialists advancing urban technology.

Administrators

Municipal leaders, directors, and decision-makers from G40 municipalities setting AI strategy.

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Learning by experience in three days

Day 1 — September 23 International meetups

Ecosystem Day

The European answer to big tech is local mesh tech. We collaborate with international networks that organise their own events in Breda on this day. The city gradually fills with AI professionals from across Europe. In the evening: the AI in the City Walking Dinner.

Day 2 — September 24 Congress Day

AI in the City Congress 2026

A working visit to the city of the future. During the congress, we explore opportunities and learn how we can use AI for our own urban challenges. We do this in small sessions, with plenty of opportunity to connect. The congress offers the chance to forge new partnerships with colleagues, researchers, companies, and governments from across Europe.

Day 3 — September 25 Excursion Day

Excursions in the Netherlands and Flanders

We visit interesting 'AI in the City' examples in Breda and beyond. Learning from Dutch and Belgian experiences in practice — at projects where AI is already being applied.

Schedule

Programme

Day 1 (23 September) is the Ecosystem Day. The location for Day 1 will be announced soon. Day 2 (24 September) is the Congress Day at the Chassétheater in Breda. The detailed programme for Day 3 (25 September) will be announced soon. Subject to change.

13:00-17:00 Workshop: Design and knowledge Experts to be announced Who designs the AI layer - with what profile, authority and… Read more → Workshop Multiple Rooms

10:00 Welcome Speaker to be announced For nearly a decade, residents of Breda have been closely i… Read more → Main Stage Main Hall

10:30 National keynote speaker Speaker to be announced The Netherlands faces one of the greatest spatial challenge… Read more → Main Stage Main Hall

11:00 International Keynote Speaker Speaker to be announced What if the city didn’t wait for a resident to fill in a fo… Read more → Main Stage Main Hall

12:00 Workshop: Make the invisible city visible with Geospatial Knowledge Graphs Experts to be announced Spatial planning is about analysis and decision-making. But… Read more → Workshop Multiple Rooms

12:00 Workshop: Residents in the driving seat — deciding together on AI in your city Martijn de Waal — Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (HvA) Who actually decides which AI applications come to your cit… Read more → Workshop Multiple Rooms

12:00 Demo: Spatial, economic and social Experts to be announced Three demos about specific AI applications and challenges.L… Read more → Demo Multiple Rooms

12:00 Demo: Autonomous and democratic Experts to be announced Three demos on specific AI applications and challenges.Loca… Read more → Demo Multiple Rooms

12:00 AI Walk: What is the challenge and how do we process the data locally? Experts to be announced Most AI applications run on large data centres far outside … Read more → Excursion Breda City

12:00 AI Walk: How do you create small and local models? Experts to be announced Most AI applications run in large data centres located far … Read more → Excursion Breda City

12:00 Pitches: Social Experts to be announced Three pitches on specific AI applications and challenges.Lo… Read more → Pitch Multiple Rooms

12:00 Pitches: Economic Experts to be announced Three pitches on specific AI applications and challenges.Lo… Read more → Pitch Multiple Rooms

12:00 Lecture: Who controls AI in your city? Experts to be announced Technology is not neutral. Every decision made when designi… Read more → Lecture Multiple Rooms

12:00 Lecture: From European AI strategy to economic opportunities for your city Experts to be announced The European Commission is working hard to establish a new … Read more → Lecture Multiple Rooms

12:45 Networking Lunch Connect with colleagues, researchers, companies, and governments. Read more → Break Exhibition Hall

13:45 Workshop: Social — Local Experts to be announced New technologies in smart cities, AI, sustainable energy, and mobility. Read more → Workshop Multiple Rooms

13:45 Workshop: Economic — European Experts to be announced AI is increasingly becoming a job creator. AI makes operati… Read more → Workshop Multiple Rooms

13:45 Demo: Spatial, economic and social Experts to be announced New technologies in smart cities, AI, sustainable energy, a… Read more → Demo Multiple Rooms

13:45 Demo: Autonomous and democratic Experts to be announced New technologies in smart cities, AI, sustainable energy, a… Read more → Demo Multiple Rooms

13:45 AI Walk: How do you set up the local infrastructure and what energy savings does it deliver? Experts to be announced Most AI applications run in large data centres located far … Read more → Excursion Breda City

13:45 AI Walk: How do you connect the local AI to the local energy grid and other networks? Experts to be announced Most AI applications run in large data centres located far … Read more → Excursion Breda City

13:45 Pitches: Spatial Lars van Vianen (Starling) and others Three pitches on specific AI applications and challenges.Lo… Read more → Pitch Multiple Rooms

13:45 Pitches: Autonomous Jeroen Steenbakkers (Argaleo) and others Three pitches on specific AI applications and challenges.Lo… Read more → Pitch Multiple Rooms

13:45 Lecture: No time for pilots — What does digital autonomy mean in practice? Experts to be announced Ukraine has built the world’s most advanced digital governm… Read more → Lecture Multiple Rooms

13:45 Lecture: How AI-ready is your city? Experts to be announced Many cities want to get started with AI, but aren’t quite s… Read more → Lecture Multiple Rooms

14:30 Break Coffee and informal networking. Read more → Break Foyer

14:45 The Great AI in the City Vibe Coding Experiment As a conclusion to the AI in the City Congress you get to work yourself. Read more → Main Stage Main Hall

16:30 Networking Drinks End the congress day with drinks and new connections. Read more → Networking Rooftop Terrace

18:00 Closing ELBA\REC & Bredata Thank you and see you tomorrow for excursions! Read more → Main Stage Main Hall

Our Partners

Partners & Organisers

AI in the City is made possible by our partners.

Ministerie van Binnenlandse Zaken en Koninkrijksrelaties

Starling Associates

$ELBA\REC$

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Looking Back

Previous editions

Relive the highlights of past AI in the City editions.

2025

2025 — Doing it together

On 18 September 2025, the second edition took place at MEZZ in Breda. We focused on a sharper question: how do we actually put AI knowledge to work for liveable cities? The highlight was the signing of the City Deal on AI.

View 2025 edition

2024

2024 — The city as a laboratory

On 12 September 2024 we organised the first edition of AI in the City in Breda. Spread across the city centre, over 225 attendees explored how AI can transform urban life and rated the congress an average of 8.8 out of 10.

View 2024 edition

Join us in Breda

Be part of the conversation shaping AI in cities. Tickets available now — €350 (excl. VAT).

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AI in the City

Creating Real Value