|
WORLD TECH CONFERENCE
NEWSLETTER 12/2026 - February 16, 2026
PRELIMINARY PROGRAMME WTC 2026 |
Format
The World Tech Conference spans five days and is structured into two dedicated segments, a three-day B2B program followed by a two-day B2C program.
The format is organized as follows: |  |
The Conference will feature the following types of Intervention:
Keynote Lecture – Scientist/Academic – Informative approach – 20’
Keynote Speech – Institutional Representative (Italy, EU, World) – 20’
Special Address – Industry – 10’
Fireside Chat – Experts/Consultants – 20’
Round Tables – Academia/Industry/Consulting – 60’ |
Plenary Concept
WTC Plenary is not a technical forum, but a strategic space where institutions, industry, and science define a shared vision for frontier technologies and their role in transforming society, the economy, and governance. If parallel sessions focus on the “how,” the Plenary addresses the “why” and the “for whom.”
Act I - Institutional Legitimacy
Why this conference matters. Institutions frame frontier technologies as a matter of competitiveness, sovereignty, security, sustainability, and citizens’ quality of life. Act II - Science as the Driving Force of Civilisation
From discovery to impact. Leading scientists present knowledge as the true lever of systemic transformation and long-term progress. Act III - Industry and Science in Action
Who is really doing it. Industry and research together outline real-world challenges and the combined impact of converging technologies across energy, health, mobility, finance, AI, quantum, and complex systems.
Act IV - Governance, Responsibility, Choices
Who decides, how and when. Technology requires governance, ethics, security, and coordinated public-private responsibility. Act V - The Meaning of the WTC
Why be here today. The plenary closes with a forward-looking call to action. WTC is reaffirmed as a platform for continuous dialogue, a European hub for innovation, and a space where concrete collaborations take shape.
|
Innovation Arenas Concept
While the Plenary defines the why and the who, the Arenas define the how and its implications. Designed as in-depth technical explorations, they are environments for the concurrent development of systemic capability. Rather than forecasting the future, the Arenas focus on creating the conditions that enable transformation. The Strategic Role of the Arenas
The Arenas transform ideas into operational capacity. They test and assess the industrial feasibility and scalability of research, and ensure policy coherence, thereby making complexity governable.
The Principle of Simultaneity
The four Arenas work in parallel yet as one system. By addressing infrastructure, deployment, constraints and emerging trajectories simultaneously, they create a unified architecture for technological transformation. |
Industry Arenas Vision
Industry Arena Vision – Systems
The Systems Arena focuses on ensuring the reliability of critical infrastructure. It brings together operators, technology providers and researchers to deliver large-scale, resilient performance through a shared operational framework.
Industry Arena Vision – Deployment
Deployment transforms technological potential into widespread adoption. It addresses integration, regulation and real-world constraints to enable sustainable industrial implementation.
Industry Arena Vision – Foundations
Foundations anchors strategy in scientific rigour. It defines physical and energy limits to ensure that decisions are based on verifiable models rather than narratives.
Industry Arena Vision – Frontiers
Frontiers anticipates emerging technological shifts and provides early strategic direction, helping to shape long-term priorities without promising immediate applications.
The Expected Impact of the Arenas is to create clarity, alignment, and concrete decisions.
Beyond inspiration, they provide the structure that turns strategic direction into operational choices. As decision environments, they define which technologies move forward, under what constraints and governance conditions, and with what accountability—building the practical instruments needed to govern technological transformation. |
|
|
|
Preliminary Programme | June 24 - 25 - 26 |
|
|
|
June 24 - THE WORLD IS CHANGING - Legitimacy, Vision, Paradigm Shift 09:00 - 09:20 | Official WTC Opening | The Meaning of the Plenary
09:20 - 12:00 | Institutional and Political Session | Technology as a National and European
Strategic Interest 12:00 - 13:00 | Visionary Scientific Keynotes | Science as the Infrastructure of the Future 13:00 - 14:00 | Networking Lunch
14:00 - 16:00 | Global Scenario Plenary | Industry and Science Facing a Changing World
16:00 - 17:00 | Closing Dialogue Day 1 | Are we Ready for a Paradigm Shift?
20:30 | Welcome Dinner |
|
|
|
June 25 - THE TRANSFORMATION UNDERWAY - Industry, Science, Real Systems 09:00 - 11:00 | Opening Plenary | Technological Convergence in Complex Systems
11:00 - 13:00 | Industry Meets Science | Session 1: Energy, Nuclear, and Critical Infrastructures
13:00 - 14:00 | Networking Lunch
14:00 - 16:00 | Industry Meets Science | Session 2: Health, Pharma, and Life Sciences
16:00 - 17:00 | Thematic Plenary | Advanced Computing, AI, and Quantum: Governing Information
20:30 | Special Dinner |
|
|
|
June 26 - June 26 - GOVERNING THE FUTURE – Choices, Responsibility, Direction 09:00 - 10:00 | Opening Plenary | Technology and Systemic Responsibility
10:00 - 12:00 | High-Level Roundtable | Who Governs Complex Systems?
12:00 - 13:00 | Networking Lunch
13:00 - 15:00 | Strategic Plenary | Long-Term Industrial Decisions
15:00 - 17:00 | WTC Closing | Final Plenary: The Role of the World Tech Conference
20:30 | Gala Dinner |
|
|
|
Preliminary Programme | June 27 - 28 |
|
|
|
June 27 - From Vision to Action
09:00 - 09:30 | Opening of the WTC Open Days
09:30 - 11:00 | Quantum Impact Challenge - Final Needs Presentations
11:00 - 11:30 | Coffee Break
11:30 - 13:00 | QIC Technical Tables
13:00 - 14:00 | Networking Lunch
14:00 - 15:30 | Partner & Industry Arena
15:30 - 16:00 | Coffee Break
16:00 - 17:30 | Startup Pitch Arena - Live Session
18:00 | Aperitif & Networking |
|
|
|
June 28 - Impact, Talent & Legacy 09:30 - 11:00 | WTC Project Clinics
11:00 - 11:30 | Coffee Break
11:30 - 12:30 | Quantum Impact Challenge - Final & Award
12:30 - 13:30 | Lunch
13:30 - 15:00 | Matchmaking Sessions
15:00 - 16:00 | Education & Talent Track
16:00 - 16:30 | Coffee Break
16:30 - 17:30 | Closing - “From WTC to the Next 12 Months”
17:30 | Official Closing |
|
|
|
Innovation Arenas Initiatives | June 27 - 28
Quantum Impact Challenge (QIC)
A problem - driven initiative connecting industry, public institutions, and quantum innovators. Real operational needs are presented, discussed in technical tables, and developed toward concrete solutions. Startup Pitch Arena (SPA)
The SPA combines speed and visibility in a structured format: Day 27 features official high-impact pitches, and Day 28 focuses on structured matchmaking and one-to-one meetings. The arena includes startups and corporates presenting platforms, open innovation initiatives, and available infrastructures (HPC, quantum, testbeds).
Partner & Industry Arena
A dedicated space for partners to present strategic challenges, collaboration opportunities, and technology needs.
Technology Demo & Exhibition
Guided demonstrations open to the public, showcasing quantum computing, AI, HPC, digital twins, and post-quantum security.
WTC Project Clinics
Working sessions focused on concrete projects, datasets, and partnership development for PoCs and funding opportunities.
Education & Talent Track
Sessions dedicated to skills development and career pathways in frontier technologies, involving universities, research programs, and HR partners. | Innovation Arenas | June 24 – 25 – 26 Below you can find an overview of the Innovation Arenas. |
 | Side Events
StartUp Pitch Arena
A Deep-Tech Competition, where Innovative Startups selected by the Scientific Committee and by the Steering Committee will pitch to international investors, with awards recognising excellence in innovation and frontier technologies. The goal is to convert breakthrough ideas into industrial impact.
Quantum Impact Challenge
The International Award for the best industrial Need is a global challenge that will identify a key industrial problem that can be solved through quantum technologies. The winning team will be supported from analysis to proof of concept in order to accelerate real-world adoption.
Demo Area: Live Technologies
During the Expo, operational quantum systems and advanced technologiesn will be showcased, from AI to new materials, with live demonstrations marking a significant step towards industrial deployment in Europe. |
For more information about the World Tech Conference Preliminary Programme click the link below. |
| WTC 2026 PRELIMINARY PROGRAMME |
|
|
| |
| | | |
| |
|
|
