Web Summit 2026 in Lisbon: Record Chinese Delegation and Humanoid Robots Take Center Stage
Lisbon – The tenth edition of Web Summit began on Monday in Portugal, ushering in a new era for the technology conference by placing physical artificial intelligence at its core. For the first time in the event's history, humanoid robots have been appointed as official speakers, signaling a significant pivot from purely software-based innovations to autonomous agents capable of direct public interaction. This year’s gathering is distinguished by the presence of the largest Chinese delegation ever recorded at the conference, reflecting Beijing’s vanguard role in building these machines.
Over the course of the four-day event, which concludes next Thursday, Chinese humanoid robots will deliver speeches on stage and engage with attendees at brand stands located at the Lisbon International Fair (FIL) and the MEO Arena. One notable robot, developed by Galbot, features wheels and two arms designed to perform real work shifts in retail shops, pharmacies, and factories. These machines made their debut appearances during the opening night festivities and will continue to provide practical demonstrations throughout the summit.
The strong Chinese presence is supported by delegations from the Ministry of Commerce and the Cyberspace Administration of China. According to the source, this participation underscores a broader thematic shift in the talks, moving beyond text and image generation to focus on autonomous agents. The Web Summit programme addresses critical issues including the application of AI agents, technology-supported scientific research, digital regulation challenges, and the reshaping of global work models.
Organisers anticipate welcoming nearly 70,000 participants, comprising 900 speakers and more than two thousand startups. The doors opened at 16:30, with the first speeches on the main stage commencing at 18:00. The opening session was led by Gonçalo Matias, the Minister Adjunct and of State Reform. Among the exhibitors, around 300 startups are present on site, including 100 companies participating in a mission organized by Sebrae and ApexBrasil. On Tuesday, these institutions will announce up to 20 startups selected for an incubation programme in Lisbon, scheduled to begin in March 2027, aiming to connect the Brazilian tech ecosystem with European investors operating in international markets.
Portugal itself is sending 78 companies to the summit, primarily from the artificial intelligence and health technology sectors. Paddy Cosgrave, chief executive and co-founder of Web Summit, has not confirmed whether the event will remain in Portugal beyond 2028, when the 110 million euro contract with the Portuguese government and Lisbon City Council expires. In an interview with the newspaper Expresso last week, Cosgrave stated he is in discussions with most major European cities and intends to make the announcement at the 2027 edition. He noted that venue limitations have been a factor, mentioning that organizers had reached capacity limits for years and constructed 30,000 square metres of temporary structures to accommodate growth.
This report was produced in the Europe Brief News newsroom.
