EDIH Summit 2026: Strengthening the AI Innovation Ecosystem | Live From Brussels

Why It Matters

The summit’s agenda and policy announcements aim to accelerate AI adoption among European SMEs, directly influencing the continent’s competitiveness, innovation capacity, and digital sovereignty.

Key Takeaways

• European Digital Innovation Hubs delivered 100,000 services to 50,000 entities.
• AI adoption by European firms rose 50% in 2025 versus 2024.
• 83% of SMEs still lack AI usage, highlighting adoption gap.
• New Tech Sovereignty Package reinforces hubs via Cloud and AI Development Act.
• Phase 2 aims to scale, collaborate, and secure financial sustainability for hubs.

Summary

The European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIH) Summit 2026 opened in Brussels with a focus on “AI continent Europe” – a concerted effort to cement the EU’s AI innovation ecosystem. Hosted by the European Commission’s tech‑sovereignty office, the agenda combined fireside chats, panels, awards and a keynote on turning experimental AI into scalable business value.

Organizers highlighted that AI adoption by European companies jumped 50 % in 2025, yet 83 % of small firms and 70 % of midsize enterprises still do not use AI. The network of more than 200 hubs has already delivered 100 000 services to 50 000 entities and performed 30 000 digital‑maturity assessments, underscoring both progress and the remaining gap.

Commissioner Henne Virkinen stressed that Europe leads in AI diffusion but must avoid complacency, while Gosia Nikowska noted the hubs’ role in the new Tech Sovereignty Package and the forthcoming Cloud and AI Development Act. A keynote from Ulla Kruse Lehtonen echoed Bill Gates’ view that “how well” companies use AI will determine competitive advantage.

The summit calls for deeper collaboration, scaling of successful pilots, and a sustainable financing model as the EU negotiates its multi‑annual budget. With the launch of European AI Innovation Month and the Apply AI summit slated for November, the next phase aims to turn the 83 % non‑adopter figure into widespread, trustworthy AI uptake across Europe’s economy.

Original Description

Watch the EDIH Summit 2026 live from The SQUARE Brussels Convention Centre on 9-10 June 2026.

As the AI Act takes effect and the AI Continent Action Plan and Apply AI Strategy take shape, Europe's European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) are evolving from access points into active AI experience centres. This Summit brings together EDIHs, SMEs, public administrations, AI Factories, TEFs, regulatory sandboxes and EU policymakers to ask a central question: is Europe's AI ecosystem working, and how must support structures adapt as generative and agentic AI reshape what organisations need?

This livestream carries the plenary programme from the Gold Hall.

Day 1 highlights (Tuesday, 9 June)

Welcome from the European Commission (DG CNECT) and a video message from Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen, a keynote and fireside chat with Ulla Kruhse-Lehtonen (Co-Founder, DAIN Studios), the EDIH Awards finalists showcase, and the EDIH Awards Ceremony.

Day 2 highlights (Wednesday, 10 June)

A cross-institutional fireside chat with DG CNECT and DG GROW, plenary panels on EDIHs as AI experience centres, agentic AI and shifting business models, the AI-ready workforce and AI skills in SMEs, the path from subsidy to sustainability, and closing takeaways for the EDIH Network.

Learn more about the Summit: https://european-digital-innovation-hubs.ec.europa.eu/edih-summit-2026-strengthening-ai-innovation-ecosystem