Global Tech Leaders Converge in Berlin to Strengthen AI Strategies for Europe’s €1.5 Trillion Economy
Ministers, enterprise technology leaders, founders, and investors from over 80 countries are set to converge in Berlin for GITEX AI EUROPE 2026, an event focused on establishing consensus around sovereignty, scalability, and competitiveness in artificial intelligence (AI). This gathering aims to transform Europe’s burgeoning AI momentum into tangible business outcomes, as global tech leaders and policymakers come together at one of the continent’s most significant tech and startup events.
GITEX AI EUROPE: A Platform for Collaboration
Scheduled for June 30 to July 1, 2026, at Messe Berlin, the second edition of GITEX AI EUROPE will bring together approximately 950 enterprises and startups, over 600 investors, and more than 150 global speakers. The event is poised to accelerate investment in a European tech market projected to exceed €1.5 trillion by 2026.
Organized by inD, the global organizers of GITEX, and supported by the Berlin Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises, along with Berlin Partner for Business and Technology, this two-day event aims to forge new AI alliances and foster cross-border collaboration across Europe and beyond.
Berlin is recognized as a fitting host for this ambitious initiative. According to the Dealroom 2025 Report, the city boasts a startup ecosystem valued at €169 billion, comprising 57 unicorns and over 9,000 AI professionals—making it the fourth-largest AI talent pool in Europe. This positions Berlin as a dynamic hub for frontier technology, investment, and innovation.
Franziska Giffey, Berlin’s Vice Mayor and Senator for Economic Affairs, Energy and Public Enterprises, emphasized the city’s role as a leading innovation hub. She stated that hosting GITEX AI EUROPE reinforces Berlin’s position as a gateway for investment and technological collaboration, while providing a unique platform to shape a European digital future that integrates innovation with security and technological sovereignty.
A Showcase of Technological Advancements
The event will feature a global show-floor showcasing advancements in AI, cybersecurity, and open-source technologies. Major tech companies such as AWS, Cloudflare, CommScope, HPE, ManageEngine, Red Hat, Salesforce, and TrendAI will headline the exhibition. Additionally, OpenAI and Google will conduct masterclasses focused on AI coding and endpoint security, offering attendees direct access to applied knowledge that is shaping enterprise AI.
The event will also introduce national tech pavilions from Austria, Canada, Greece, and Japan, enhancing the international diversity of the showcase. Germany’s industrial and digital capabilities will be prominently featured, with participation from BASF, the world’s largest chemical company, and Bosch, a global engineering leader. DeepL, known for its advanced AI translation capabilities, will demonstrate how European AI solutions can achieve global success.
Leonardo Doin, Head of Voice at DeepL, highlighted the significance of overcoming language barriers in global business. He noted that DeepL Voice addresses the complexities faced by global enterprises, emphasizing the importance of precision in high-stakes conversations.
Policymakers Address AI and Infrastructure Challenges
Beyond the exhibition, the GITEX AI EUROPE 2026 conference will deliver over 70 hours of content across three stages, focusing on critical discussions that will shape Europe’s competitive edge in the global intelligence economy. Topics will include compute and data capacity, energy readiness, local hyperscale models, and high-impact use cases.
Germany’s Federal Minister for Digital Transformation and State Modernisation, Dr. Karsten Wildberger, will address urgent questions regarding the continent’s ability to regulate and connect data infrastructure to meet its sovereign AI ambitions. Dr. Wildberger emphasized the need for Germany to leverage its strong industrial base and comprehensive know-how, stating that building new compute infrastructure is essential for securing economic and industrial growth.
Investment Opportunities and Unicorn Leadership
GITEX AI EUROPE’s North Star Europe program will feature over 500 startups focusing on areas such as quantum security, industrial AI, and deep tech. These startups will have the opportunity to network with more than 600 investors managing assets totaling US$1 trillion. Notable investors include KfW Capital, which has invested €2.5 billion across 132 European VC funds, and UniCredit, a major pan-European banking institution with US$865 billion in total assets.
The conference agenda will also spotlight over 20 unicorns, including Niklas Östberg, CEO of Delivery Hero, and Ryan Foutty, VP of Business at Perplexity. Foutty remarked on the evolution of search technology, discussing the transition from traditional search engines to an “answer engine” and the next step toward an “action engine,” which will enable agents to perform tasks on behalf of users.
For further information, please visit www.gitexeurope.com.
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