Web Summit 2026 in Lisbon: record Chinese delegation and humanoid robots as speakers
Over the four days of the event, Chinese humanoid robots will speak on stage and interact with the public at brand stands set up at FIL and MEO Arena.
The tenth annual Web Summit in Lisbon kicked off today, running until next Thursday and marking a significant milestone in the event's history. For the first time, humanoid robots will serve as official speakers, a testament to China's technological prowess and the large delegation it is bringing to the conference.
Unlike previous editions focused on text and image generation software, this year's talks will delve into autonomous agents that interact directly with the public. One of the robots, developed by Galbot, boasts wheels and two arms, capable of performing real work shifts in various settings. The robots make their debut on the opening night and will offer practical demonstrations throughout the four-day event, at both the Lisbon International Fair (FIL) and the MEO Arena.
Beyond the robotic presence, the Web Summit program encompasses AI agents, AI-supported scientific research, digital regulation challenges, and evolving work models. Organizers anticipate nearly 70,000 participants, including 900 speakers and over two thousand startups.
With attendance opening at 16:30, the main stage speeches commence at 18:00, led by the Deputy Minister of State Reform, Gonçalo Matias. Around 300 startups will be present on-site, with 100 participating in Sebrae and ApexBrasil's mission. This initiative aims to bring the Brazilian tech ecosystem closer to European investors.
Portugal is sending 78 companies to this year's summit, primarily from AI and health technology sectors. Web Summit CEO and co-founder Paddy Cosgrave has not yet confirmed if the event will continue in Lisbon beyond 2028, as the current 110 million euro contract with the Portuguese government and Lisbon City Council expires. Cosgrave is in discussions with major European cities and plans to announce the next host at the 2027 edition.
The limitations of Lisbon's venue, including capacity constraints and the need for temporary structures, will also be factors to consider.
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