IJCAI, one of the world’s oldest and most renowned conferences on artificial intelligence (AI), will be held next year in conjunction with the European Conference on Artificial Intelligence (ECAI). The IJCAI-ECAI is a high-level academic conference where leading international researchers and industry representatives come together to share and discuss the latest breakthroughs in cutting-edge AI research. The event is specifically aimed at a scientific audience.
Local organization will be handled by the Local Arrangements Committee (LAC). A team of dedicated scientists and science managers, led by Chairs Prof. Dr.-Ing. Tanja Schultz (University of Bremen) and Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Frank Kirchner (University of Bremen and German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence, DFKI), along with Co-Chair Dr.-Ing. Monika Michaelis (U Bremen Research Alliance) will coordinate preparations and organization of IJCAI-ECAI 2026 in Bremen.
The conference will kick off with workshops and tutorials from August 15 to 17, 2026 at the University of Bremen. The main conference will begin on August 18, 2026, and take place at the Bremen Exhibition Center. Simultaneously, an exhibition will feature sponsors along with further industry partners, startups, and scientific institutions.
Prof. Dr. Jutta Günther, Chairperson of the U Bremen Research Alliance and President of the University of Bremen, emphasizes:
“The fact that one of the world’s most prestigious AI research conferences is coming to Bremen is a major milestone for AI research at our scientific location. What sets Bremen apart is the strategic connection between university-based fundamental research and non-university applied research. We look forward to welcoming researchers and experts from around the world in 2026.”
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI), Prof. Dr. Antonio Krüger, remarks:
“I am very pleased that Bremen will host IJCAI-ECAI 2026. This achievement is a great honor for Bremen as a location for AI and at the same time a strong signal of the international visibility of German AI research. My sincere thanks go to those responsible at the state and federal levels who are making this global event possible. We are now counting on broad support from the business community as well. Seize this unique opportunity through our sponsorship offers to present yourself to the global AI community right here in Germany. Let’s connect to explore the possibilities.”
Kathrin Moosdorf, Senator for Environment, Climate, and Science, adds:
“In less than a year, Bremen will become a global hub for the scientific community specialized in Artificial Intelligence. I’m confident that researchers from around the world will feel welcome in Bremen, engage in meaningful exchange, and learn from one another. This conference will spark important scientific developments. AI already plays a growing role in research and society—and Bremen is exceptionally well-positioned as a location for advancing this key technology.”
Kristina Vogt, Senator for Economic Affairs, Ports, and Transformation, states:
“AI is omnipresent and is set to become even more integral to our daily and working lives. The AI expertise of Bremen’s economy and scientific community has gained international recognition with the decision to hold IJCAI 2026 here on the Weser. This is not only a great honor for us, but also something I’m personally very happy about. Of course, we’re actively engaging with companies in the sector and supporting them in building collaborations—for example, through joint trips to Silicon Valley. The IJCAI provides us with the opportunity to present our expertise to the world—a chance we should size together!”
IJCAI-ECAI 2026 offers numerous opportunities for sponsorship partnerships. Over the past several years, Bremen has established itself as a dynamic hub for cutting-edge research, knowledge and technology transfer, and as a forward-looking AI location. For regional companies in particular, the conference presents an excellent platform to connect with an international professional audience and leading experts. Interested companies, organizations, or institutions can reach out directly to the IJCAI-ECAI 2026 organizing committee. Contacts include Sponsorship Chair Prof. Dr. Antonio Krüger, CEO of DFKI (ijcai-sponsoring@dfki.de) and Sponsorship Coordinator Derk Schönfeld, Managing Director of U Bremen Research Alliance (derk.schoenfeld@vw.uni-bremen.de).
Further information on the program, contributions, and registration will be available on the official IJCAI website: https://www.ijcai.org.
(Joint Press Release by the U Bremen Research Alliance (UBRA) and the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI), September 5, 2025)