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The tenth edition of the Web Summit (source in Portuguese) in Portugal, which begins today and runs until next Thursday, once again brings the tech world together in Lisbon, but 2026 marks a new era in the event’s history, with a shift towards physical artificial intelligence (AI).
For the first time, humanoid robots will act as official speakers, showcasing China’s cutting-edge role. The country built these machines and is bringing the largest delegation it has ever sent to this tech conference.
On the back of Chinese companies, the focus is no longer only on software that creates text and images but also on autonomous agents that interact directly with the public.
One of the robots on show, developed by Galbot, has wheels and two arms and can work real shifts in shops, pharmacies and factories.
The automatons will make their first appearances at the opening night and, over the four days, besides giving talks, will carry out practical demonstrations at brand stands set up at the Feira Internacional de Lisboa (FIL) and at the MEO Arena. The Ministry of Commerce and the Cyberspace Administration of China are also sending delegations.
The Web Summit programme covers the use of AI agents, technology-supported scientific research, the challenges of digital regulation and the reshaping of work models.
The organisers expect to welcome close to 70,000 participants, including 900 speakers and more than two thousand startups. Doors open at 16:30, with the first speeches on the main stage starting at 18:00. The opening session will be led by the Minister Delegate and for State Reform, Gonçalo Matias.
Portuguese-speaking delegation
Around 300 Brazilian startups will be on site, 100 of them as part of the mission organised by Sebrae (source in Portuguese) and ApexBrasil (source in Portuguese). On Tuesday, these organisations will announce up to 20 selected startups for an incubation programme in Lisbon, due to start in March 2027.
The aim is to bring Brazil’s tech ecosystem closer to European investors operating in international markets.
Portugal, for its part, is sending 78 companies to this year’s Web Summit, mainly from the AI and health tech sectors.
Web Summit in Lisbon until at least 2028
Paddy Cosgrave, chief executive and co-founder of Web Summit, has not said whether the event will stay in Portugal beyond 2028, when the 110 million euro contract agreed with the Portuguese government and Lisbon City Council comes to an end.
In an interview with the newspaper Expresso last week, Cosgrave said he is in talks with most major European cities and plans to announce the future host at the 2027 edition.
The limitations of the Lisbon venue will be a factor. “We have been at full capacity for years and have built 30,000 square metres of temporary structures,” he said.