Overview
About this event
IJCAI has run since 1969 and is one of AI's oldest conferences. It covers the full spectrum of AI research, from theory to application. Papers span machine learning, robotics, reasoning, and multi-agent systems.
ECAI, the European Conference on Artificial Intelligence, runs alongside it. This is the third joint IJCAI-ECAI edition. It draws researchers, academics, and industry practitioners worldwide.
The 2026 edition runs across a full week in Bremen. Workshops and tutorials open the week, followed by the main conference. Around 3,500 to 4,000 AI experts are expected to attend.
What Usually Happens at IJCAI-ECAI?
The week opens with workshops and tutorials on specialised topics. The main conference follows with invited talks, paper sessions, and awards. Competitions, demos, and a doctoral consortium run alongside.
Five Special Tracks sit within the main programme for 2026. These cover human-centred AI, social good, health, robotics, and critical technologies. A Journal Track and Sister Conferences Track add further content.
When Is IJCAI-ECAI 2026 Taking Place?
Workshops and tutorials run August 15-17, 2026, at the University of Bremen. The main conference runs August 18-21 at Congress Centrum Bremen. The official site is 2026.ijcai.org and registration is open at registration.ijcai.org.
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IJCAI-ECAI 2026: Latest Updates
4 topicsSeveral details are now confirmed on the official site. These cover invited speakers, pricing, and co-located events. The full accepted papers list is also live.
Invited Talk Lineup Confirmed
Eight invited speakers are confirmed across the main conference days. These include award lectures and general keynote talks. Full abstracts and bios are on the Invited Talks page.
Registration Rates Published
This is a paid event, not a free one. Standard member registration is $980 during the early period. Non-members and later registration periods pay more. Every rate is on the registration page.
Two Venues Confirmed
Workshops and tutorials run at the University of Bremen campus. The main conference moves to Congress Centrum Bremen from August 18. Both sites connect to Bremen Airport by tram, and travel detail is on the venues page.
Co-Located Events Announced
Several events run alongside IJCAI-ECAI 2026 in the same period. These include KI2026, ICCBR-26, and an AI Emmy Networking Day. A Robot Expo runs on August 18 evening.
Main Topics at IJCAI-ECAI 2026
5 topicsThe programme spans the breadth of AI research. Five Special Tracks sit alongside the Main Track for 2026. The areas below reflect the confirmed scope.
Human-Centred AI
This track covers AI systems designed around human needs. It includes usability, trust, and human-AI collaboration. Submissions follow the same deadline as the Main Track.
AI for Social Good
This track addresses AI applications with social impact. Health, sustainability, and equity are common themes. It connects technical work to real-world benefit.
AI4Tech: AI Enabling Critical Technologies
This track covers AI applied to critical infrastructure and technology. It spans energy, manufacturing, and related systems. The focus is applied, technology-enabling AI.
AI and Health
This track covers AI methods applied to healthcare and medicine. It includes diagnostics, treatment planning, and clinical decision support. Submissions follow standard reproducibility guidelines.
AI and Robotics
This track covers AI methods for robotic systems. It includes learning, control, and physical interaction. Related invited talks include Jan Peters on robot reinforcement learning, listed on the invited talks page.
Event Experiences
4 topicsThe conference blends academic sessions with hands-on and social formats. Each format serves a different part of the AI community. The sections below outline what to expect.
Invited Talks and Award Lectures
Award lectures recognise major contributions to AI research. General keynotes cover NLP, vision, robotics, and reinforcement learning. These anchor each conference day.
Workshops and Tutorials
Workshops and tutorials run before the main conference in Bremen. They cover focused, specialist topics chosen by organisers. Registration for these can be purchased separately from the main conference.
Competitions and Demonstrations
A Demonstrations Track lets teams showcase working AI systems. Competitions and challenges run alongside the main programme. Accepted demos are eligible for the Innovation Award.
Industry Day and Social Events
An Industry Day runs on Wednesday, August 19. An opening reception and closing banquet are included in full registration. A Diversity and Inclusion lunch runs on Tuesday, August 18.
Why IJCAI-ECAI 2026 Matters
3 topicsIJCAI-ECAI is one of the most established venues in AI research. Acceptance here carries significant academic weight worldwide. Different groups gain different value from attending.
For Researchers and Academics
The venue is a benchmark for general AI research. Award lectures highlight major contributions to the field. Networking connects researchers across sub-disciplines.
For Industry AI Teams
The Industry Day and exhibit programme connect enterprise teams to research. AI4Tech and AI and Health tracks address applied problems. This gives R&D leaders early sight of new methods.
For Early-Career Researchers
Early Career Spotlights and the Doctoral Consortium support newer researchers. Grants and volunteer programmes help reduce attendance costs. These are official parts of the 2026 programme.
Agenda
The event runs across a full week. Times follow Central European Summer Time (CEST, UTC+2). The full programme is on the official schedule page.
| Date | Programme | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday to Monday, August 15-17 | Workshops and tutorials | University of Bremen |
| Tuesday, August 18 | Opening, invited talks, Robot Expo | Congress Centrum Bremen |
| Wednesday, August 19 | Invited talks, Industry Day, banquet | Congress Centrum Bremen |
| Thursday, August 20 | Invited talks, D&I lunch, student reception | Congress Centrum Bremen |
| Friday, August 21 | Invited talks, closing programme | Congress Centrum Bremen |
Following this event? Get the updates as they drop.
Registration and Access
IJCAI-ECAI 2026 requires paid registration. Rates rise across three periods as the event approaches. Members receive a discount on the main conference fee. Register through the registration portal, with full terms on the registration information page.
| Pass Type | Details | Price / Status |
|---|---|---|
| Member Regular, Early | May 15 to Jun 15, 2026 | $980 |
| Member Regular, Late | Jun 16 to Jul 15, 2026 | $1,150 |
| Member Regular, Onsite | Jul 16 to Aug 21, 2026 | $1,250 |
| Non-Member Regular, Early | May 15 to Jun 15, 2026 | $1,030 |
| Non-Member Regular, Onsite | Jul 16 to Aug 21, 2026 | $1,300 |
| Member Student, Early | May 15 to Jun 15, 2026 | $500 |
| Non-Member Student, Early | May 15 to Jun 15, 2026 | $550 |
Full registration includes tutorials, one reception ticket, and one banquet ticket. Cancellations are possible until July 15, 2026, for a $150 processing fee.
Venue
Congress Centrum Bremen
Two sites host the week. Workshops and tutorials run at the University of Bremen, Bibliothekstrasse 1, 28359 Bremen, with tram line 6 connecting the campus to the central station and airport. The main conference runs at Congress Centrum Bremen, Findorffstrasse 101, 28215 Bremen, a few steps from Bremen Central Station. The Maritim Hotel Bremen connects directly to the CCB, further hotels are nearby, and parking is available on Buergerweide in front of the congress building.
Date & Time
Aug 15–21
Starts 9:00 AM GMT+2
Location
Bremen
Congress Centrum Bremen, Germany
Format
In-person
On location only
Speakers8
Engineers shipping the work, not theorizing about it
The confirmed invited speakers below span keynotes and award lectures. Full abstracts and bios are on the official Invited Talks page, and additional sessions may be added closer to the event.
Recap: 2025 & 2024
The biggest announcements from the last 2 IJCAI-ECAI 2026 (35th International Joint Conference on Artificial Intelligence) editions.
IJCAI 2025 Recap
IJCAI moves to a new host country most years, and both recent editions drew thousands of AI researchers internationally.
The 34th IJCAI ran August 16-22, 2025, in Montreal, Canada, with a satellite event August 29-31 in Guangzhou, China, for authors facing visa barriers. The theme was "AI at the service of society." See the IJCAI 2025 programme.
Main announcements included:
- Over 2,000 AI researchers and practitioners attended in Montreal
- Invited talks included Yoshua Bengio, Heng Ji, Luc De Raedt, and Bernhard Scholkopf
- Award lectures included Aditya Grover, Rina Dechter, and Cynthia Rudin
- The programme included an AI Art Gallery and public AI Lounge sessions
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