A working visit to the city of the future
On September 23, 24, and 25, 2026, we will be hosting the third edition of the AI in the City Event in Breda, the Netherlands. And starting this year, we’re expanding our reach internationally. Because just as the challenge is European, so are the solutions. During AI in the City 2026, we’ll learn how fellow Europeans are using AI to tackle the major challenges to keep their cities, regions, towns, and villages across Europe livable. Come to Breda in September and leave after three days with new insights, a network of European partners, and a concrete plan to implement AI in your city.
Context
About three-quarters of all Europeans, over half a billion people, live in urban areas. From the Randstad to Rome and from Barcelona to Berlin. In many countries, these metropolitan regions are surrounded by a ring of medium-sized cities such as Breda, Bruges, and Brighton. Governments across Europe are faced with the challenge of accommodating the growth of these cities while simultaneously maintaining a pleasant, safe, and healthy living environment.
This challenge is complex. For example, the housing shortage is putting pressure on the livability, mobility, and infrastructure of existing cities. The implementation of new plans is being impacted by environmental regulations, grid congestion, and slow permitting procedures. And the existing city also demands significant attention. Simultaneously, the energy transition demands acceleration, but it is struggling with a lack of space, limited support, and tight implementation capacity. Climate adaptation is necessary, but is not yet sufficiently structurally anchored in European and local policies. Meanwhile, certainties are under pressure: access to sufficient drinking water, protection against flooding, or drought and heat stress, are no longer guaranteed. In solving all these challenges, good contact with residents and businesses is essential. Yet, many Europeans experience government as distant, inaccessible, and bureaucratic. Moreover, virtually all sectors—from healthcare and education to construction and public administration—are facing significant staff shortages. These shortages hinder not only policy implementation but also the innovation capacity of cities.
AI as an opportunity for livable European cities
AI offers opportunities to address these challenges. Increasingly, data is available, which can be analyzed using AI systems to gain insight into the functioning of cities and regions. This enables governments to make better decisions and improve policy, decision-making, and implementation. For example, AI is already being used in several European cities to route traffic more intelligently through the city, in citizen participation programs, and to combat grid congestion.
Time schedule AI in the City Congress 2026
10:00 AM – Welcome
11:00 AM – International Keynote Speaker
11:30 AM – International Highlights
12:00 PM – In-depth Sessions
12:45 PM – Networking Lunch
1:30 PM – Practical Pitches
2:15 PM – Break
2:30 PM – AI Outdoor Experience
4:15 PM – Your Vision for the Day
4:45 PM – Networking Drinks
6:00 PM – Closing
More information about the congress day will be available soon
