The year 2026 is poised to be a landmark for artificial intelligence. From new generative architectures to breakthroughs in embodied AI, the pace of innovation is staggering. For those at the forefront of this revolution, conferences are more than just events; they are the essential forums where the future is unveiled.
Below is a curated guide to the most anticipated AI and computer vision conferences in 2026. These premier events are renowned for their high-quality research presentations, influential keynote speakers, and extensive industry participation.
Leading Academic and Research Oriented AI Conferences
These events have a broader scope, covering all aspects of AI and machine learning, with some amount of content dedicated to computer vision. The following conferences are listed in chronological order based on start date.
1. AAAI Conference on Artificial Intelligence (AAAI)
The annual AAAI conference brings together the world's leading researchers to foster scientific exchange across all areas of AI and its related disciplines. The program features technical paper presentations, special tracks, invited speakers, and workshops.
Why You Should Attend: With a broad scope covering both foundational research and real-world applications, AAAI offers a holistic view of the AI landscape. It is an ideal venue for networking with senior researchers, pioneers in the field, and leading industry professionals.
Dates & Location: AAAI-26 will be held from January 20-27, 2026, at the Singapore EXPO in Singapore.
Registration: Registration for AAAI-26 is now open on the official website.
2. International Conference on Learning Representations (ICLR 2026)
Renowned for showcasing cutting-edge, foundational research, ICLR is a premier international conference focused on representation learning, deep learning, transformers, diffusion models, and optimization.
Why it's a must-attend: ICLR has become the nexus for groundbreaking work in deep learning, making it an essential event for researchers in artificial intelligence, statistics, and data science. It is also a key gathering for professionals in application areas like machine vision, computational biology, and robotics.
Dates & Location: The 2026 conference will be held from April 23-27 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Link to sign up: Registration details are typically posted on the conference website closer to the event in December. For the latest updates, please monitor the official ICLR website.
3. IEEE Conference on Artificial Intelligence (IEEE CAI)
The IEEE CAI conference is an international event that focuses on the practical application of AI and its impact on industrial technology and innovation. It serves as a forum for learning about new research, gaining insights from leading AI companies and startups, and networking with professionals.
Why it's a must-attend: This conference is particularly valuable for anyone interested in bridging the gap between foundational research and real-world applications. It offers a unique opportunity to see how new technologies are being implemented across various sectors, from healthcare to transportation, and provides an excellent venue for industry-focused networking.
Dates & Location: The next event will be held from May 8-10, 2026, at the Granada Conference Centre in Granada, Spain.
Link to sign up: You can find registration information on the official conference website closer to the event. Here's the main conference page for 2026.
4. International Conference on Machine Learning (ICML)
ICML is a prestigious conference focused on core machine learning theory, optimization, algorithms, and applied machine learning. It is considered one of the most prominent and respected conferences in the ML/AI field, alongside NeurIPS and ICLR.
Why it's a must-attend: ICML serves as a premier venue for presenting and discovering foundational work in machine learning, thanks to its highly selective acceptance rate. The conference attracts a broad spectrum of participants, from academic researchers to industry leaders, and is a key hub for networking and recruitment by both major tech companies and startups.
Dates & Location: The next ICML conference will take place from July 6-12, 2026, in Seoul, South Korea, at COEX.
Link to sign up: Registration details are not yet available. You can monitor the official ICML website for updates.
5. AIAI (Artificial Intelligence Applications and Innovations)
The AIAI conference focuses on the practical applications of AI. It's a long-standing event that covers emerging AI technologies and their innovative uses across various domains.
Why it's a must-attend: It's an excellent venue for applied researchers and engineers to discover novel AI applications and network with peers in a more intimate, focused academic and industry setting.
Dates & Location: The 2026 conference is confirmed for July 16-19, 2026, in Crete, Greece.
Link to sign up: Registration details are available on the conference website.
6. Conference on Neural Information Processing Systems (NeurIPS)
NeurIPS is the world’s largest AI/ML conference, drawing a vast audience from both academia and industry. It serves as a central hub for cutting-edge research in machine learning, generative models, reinforcement learning, and AI for scientific applications.
Why it's a must-attend: NeurIPS is widely regarded as the premier event in the field. It provides unmatched opportunities for networking, staying current with emerging trends, and exploring groundbreaking research across AI and machine learning.
Dates & Location: NeurIPS is typically held in December. The specific dates and location for 2026 have not yet been announced.
Link to sign up: Registration details will be posted on the official NeurIPS website as they become available.
Leading AI Conferences Specializing in Computer Vision
These events are specifically for those focused on computer vision, though they often feature a significant amount of deep learning and broader AI research. The following conferences are listed in chronological order based on start date.
1. Winter Conference on Applications of Computer Vision (WACV)
WACV is a leading international conference in computer vision, with a strong emphasis on practical applications and innovative algorithms. It is recognized for showcasing research that provides real-world solutions to real-world problems.
Why it's a must-attend: WACV is especially valuable for those focused on applied computer vision, particularly industry researchers. Its dedicated “applications track” highlights system-level innovation and novel domains, making it a prime venue for work that directly addresses business and industry challenges.
Dates & Location: The next WACV conference will take place from March 6-10, 2026, in Tucson, Arizona, at the JW Marriott Starpass.
Link to sign up: You can find registration information on the official conference website closer to the event date.
2. Embedded Vision Summit
This is the premier event for engineers and product creators who are incorporating computer vision and visual AI into their products. It covers everything from processors and sensors to algorithms and applications.
Why it's a must-attend: It's the best place to learn about the practical side of deploying vision-based AI. You'll see the latest enabling technologies and learn how to build more capable and efficient vision systems.
Dates & Location:The 2026 summit will take place on May 11-13 in Santa Clara, CA, the heart of Silicon Valley.
Link to sign up: Find the latest information and registration links here.
3. Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition (CVPR)
CVPR is widely regarded as the most prestigious annual conference in computer vision. It features a vast number of peer-reviewed papers, workshops, and tutorials, and covers a broad range of topics including object recognition, image segmentation, and deep learning for visual data.
Why it's a must-attend: CVPR is the single largest and most influential gathering for the computer vision community.
Dates & Location: The next conference will be held during June 6-12, 2026, in Denver, USA, at the Denver Convention Center.
Link to sign up: The CVPR website will have a registration link closer to the event.
4. European Conference on Computer Vision (ECCV)
ECCV is a major biennial conference and the European counterpart to ICCV. It's a key forum for showcasing new research and is well-regarded for its high academic standards.
Why it's a must-attend: On par with ICCV and CVPR in terms of quality and impact, ECCV provides a platform for discussions on computer vision, pattern recognition, and image analysis, offering a key European perspective on the field.
Dates & Location: The next conference will be held from September 29 - October 4, 2026, in Malmö, Sweden.
Link to sign up: Registration details are not yet available. You will be able to find a link on the official conference website when it is released.
5. International Conference on Computer Vision (ICCV)
ICCV is a premier biennial conference that attracts the world's leading researchers. It is known for its strong emphasis on high-quality, foundational research in computer vision.
Why it's a must-attend: As a leading conference in the field, ICCV is a must-attend for those focused on foundational research in computer vision.
Dates & Location: As a biennial conference held in odd-numbered years, ICCV will not be held in 2026. The next event is scheduled for 2027.
Link to sign up: Although not hosted in 2026, look out for updates on their website for 2027.
Leading AI Industry and Commercial Focused Conferences
These are designed for business leaders, investors, and practitioners who want to learn about the latest trends, commercial applications, and real-world implementations of AI. The following conferences are listed in chronological order based on start date.
1. NVIDIA GTC
GTC is NVIDIA's flagship conference, focusing on AI, data science, high-performance computing, graphics, and autonomous vehicles. It brings together developers, researchers, and business leaders to explore the latest advancements in the NVIDIA ecosystem.
Why it's a must-attend: This is the essential event for anyone developing on NVIDIA's platform. You get direct access to NVIDIA engineers and cutting-edge research, plus hands-on training with the latest tools and SDKs.
Dates & Location: GTC is held on March 16-19, 2026. The main event takes place in San Jose, CA, with extensive virtual access.
Link to sign up: For the latest announcements and registration, visit their official site.
2. World Summit AI
This summit connects the global AI ecosystem, from enterprises and big tech to startups and investors. The focus is on the practical implementation of AI in business and society.
Why it's a must-attend: If you're looking to understand the business and strategic side of AI, this is the place. It's geared towards decision-makers, offering unparalleled networking opportunities and insights into the global AI landscape.
Dates & Location: Specific 2026 dates are not yet announced. The Americas summit is typically held in the spring (around April) in Montreal, Canada
Link to sign up: Keep an eye on the official Americas summit page for updates.
3. Robotics Summit
This summit is designed for engineers and developers building commercial robots. It covers the entire product development lifecycle, from design and components to manufacturing and deployment.
Why it's a must-attend: It provides direct access to the component suppliers, technologies, and expertise needed to overcome the challenges of commercial robotics development. It's less theoretical and more hands-on.
Dates & Location: 2026 dates are May 27-28, and the event is held at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center in Boston, MA.
Link to sign up: Registration and event details can be found on the website.
4. AI Manufacturing and SCADA Technology (AIMST)
AIMST is a highly specialized conference dedicated to the integration of AI in manufacturing, industrial automation, and SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems.
Why it's a must-attend: This is a critical event for professionals in industrial sectors. It provides targeted insights into using AI to enhance efficiency, predictive maintenance, and security in operational technology (OT) environments.
Dates & Location: 2026 details have not been released. Based on previous years, it's likely to occur in late Q3 or early Q4. The location may vary, so check the website for specifics.
Link to sign up: Official information will be posted here.
5. The AI Summit New York
As part of a global series, The AI Summit New York convenes business leaders, data scientists, and technology strategists to explore the real-world impact of AI on enterprises.
Why it's a must-attend: It offers a practical, business-first perspective on AI adoption. You'll hear case studies from major corporations and learn how to build a tangible AI strategy for your organization.
Dates & Location: While not yet confirmed for 2026, the summit is consistently held in early December at the Javits Center in New York, NY
Link to sign up: Check for 2026 dates and passes on their site.
How to Choose the Right Artificial Intelligence and Computer Vision Conferences
With so many world-class conferences in 2026, the best choice depends on your goals, role, and research interests. Here’s a quick guide:
If you're an academic or foundational researcher
- Best fit: NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR, AAAI, ECCV, ICCV
- Why: These are the most prestigious venues for publishing and discovering cutting-edge, foundational research. Their rigorous peer-review processes and high impact make them essential for academics looking to present novel work and stay at the forefront of AI and machine learning theory.
If you're an applied researcher, engineer, or developer
- Best fit: CVPR, WACV, IEEE CAI, Embedded Vision Summit, NVIDIA GTC, Robotics Summit, AIMST
- Why: These events bridge the gap between theory and practice. They focus on real-world applications, system-level innovations, and the practical challenges of deploying AI and computer vision. Events like GTC, Embedded Vision Summit, and Robotics Summit are particularly valuable for hands-on learning with the latest hardware, software, and development tools.
If you're a business leader, strategist, or investor
- Best fit: World Summit AI, The AI Summit New York, NVIDIA GTC, Robotics Summit
- Why: These summits are tailored for decision-makers. The focus is less on deep technical details and more on strategy, ROI, market trends, and high-level networking with industry leaders, policymakers, and investors.
If you're a student or early-career professional
- Best fit: AAAI, ICLR, WACV, AIAI
- Why: These conferences are known for their strong communities and excellent tutorials, workshops, and doctoral consortiums. They often provide a more accessible environment for networking, finding mentors, and understanding the current landscape without the overwhelming scale of a conference like NeurIPS.
If your focus is purely on computer vision
- Best fit: CVPR, ECCV, WACV (and ICCV in 2027). For those on the product and engineering side, the Embedded Vision Summit is a must-attend.
- Why: CVPR, ECCV, and ICCV are the "big three" premier academic conferences in the field. WACV is top-tier for applied vision research, and the Embedded Vision Summit is the best event for learning about the practical side of building and deploying vision systems.
If you want the broadest overview of AI & Machine Learning
- Best fit: NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR, AAAI
- Why: These are the largest and most comprehensive conferences, covering nearly every subfield of machine learning and artificial intelligence. Attending one of these gives you a panoramic view of where the entire field is headed.
Conclusion: Top Upcoming AI & Computer Vision Events
Whether you're looking to present groundbreaking research, connect with industry leaders, or simply stay ahead of the curve, these events offer a gateway to the next wave of AI and computer vision breakthroughs. As you plan your schedule for 2026, consider which conferences align best with your professional goals and research interests. The future of AI isn't just being discussed at these events, it's being built. Mark your calendar, and be a part of it.
Written by Philo Lin
Cite this Post
Use the following entry to cite this post in your research:
Contributing Writer. (Sep 16, 2025). Spotlight on Upcoming AI & Computer Vision Events and Conferences in 2026. Roboflow Blog: https://blog.roboflow.com/ai-computer-vision-conferences/