AI Engineer World’s Fair 2026
Moscone Center, 747 Howard Street, Moscone Center (North & South Halls), San Francisco, 94103, California, United States (view on Google Maps)
The AI Engineer World’s Fair (AIE Worlds Fair) is the flagship conference for the AI Engineer community, bringing together thousands of builders, researchers, founders and investors to explore the cutting edge of AI engineering. The 2026 edition, scheduled for 30 June–2 July 2026 at San Francisco’s Moscone Center, will expand on previous years with more tracks, speakers and exhibitors.
The AIE website lists the event as the largest technical AI conference in San Francisco, promising 20 tracks, 250 speakers, 100 expo partners and over 5,000 attendees. Building on the 2024 AIE World’s Fair model, the conference offers a single pass that grants access to keynote talks from pioneering AI researchers and engineers, technical deep dives on model architectures, retrieval‑augmented generation, agent frameworks, MLOps and deployment, as well as hands‑on workshops and hackathons.
The Expo floor showcases startups and established vendors across AI infrastructure, tooling and applications, while a separate demo stage hosts live code walkthroughs and product launches. Attendees can join community‑driven meetups, mentorship sessions, investor roundtables and lightning talks.
The organisers emphasise the engineering focus: sessions are geared toward practitioners who build and deploy AI systems rather than high‑level business talks. The World’s Fair also hosts a ‘unconference’ zone where participants can propose and run sessions spontaneously.
The Moscone Center offers 65,000 m² of exhibition and meeting space and is centrally located near hotels and restaurants in San Francisco’s South of Market (SoMa) district. Evening events and networking receptions extend the experience beyond the conference halls, including a large community party on the final night.
By gathering a global community of AI engineers and providing both structured and informal learning environments, the AIE World’s Fair 2026 aims to catalyse innovation, knowledge sharing and collaboration across the rapidly evolving AI engineering landscape.
Attendance type: In-person
How was the weather in San Francisco around June?
2023
Min: 13°C
Max: 22°C
2024
Min: 12°C
Max: 21°C
2025
Min: 13°C
Max: 22°C
City Vibes
San Francisco, United States
The city’s vibe is undeniably progressive and open-minded, reflected in its diverse communities and vibrant cultural scene. From the colorful murals of the Mission District to the historic charm of North Beach, San Francisco embraces its bohemian roots while steadily pushing forward into the future. The air is often tinged with the scent of freshly brewed coffee, artisan foods, and the salty tang of the nearby Pacific Ocean, which lends a refreshing edge to the city’s atmosphere.
San Francisco’s iconic sights are more than just visual landmarks—they encapsulate its spirit of resilience and innovation. The Golden Gate Bridge, a majestic symbol of optimism and human achievement, offers breathtaking panoramic views that inspire awe. Alcatraz Island whispers stories of history and redemption, while the bustling Ferry Building Marketplace hums with local flavor and entrepreneurial energy.
The city’s vibe is also characterized by its natural beauty, with rolling hills and lush parks like Golden Gate Park providing a peaceful counterpoint to the urban hustle. Whether it’s the lively streets of the Castro, the tech-driven buzz of Silicon Valley nearby, or the tranquil pathways along the waterfront, San Francisco exudes a sense of possibility and perpetual reinvention. It’s a place where the old seamlessly melds with the new, creating an atmosphere that is at once invigorating, inclusive, and endlessly inspiring.
District Vibes
South of Market (SoMa), San Francisco, United States
The atmosphere here is a delicious mix of modernity and history. Wide streets are lined with sleek glass buildings housing tech giants and innovative startups, while tucked-away alleyways reveal colorful murals and street art that speak to the neighborhood’s rebellious spirit. The energy is contagious—there’s always something happening, whether it’s a pop-up market, a food festival, or a live performance at one of the many venues.
For arts lovers, SoMa offers a treasure trove of cultural sights. The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) stands as a beacon of contemporary art, while the nearby Yerba Buena Gardens provide a peaceful retreat amidst the urban buzz. The neighborhood’s nightlife scene is equally compelling, with trendy bars, rooftop lounges, and historic clubs that keep the energy going into the early hours.
And don’t miss the food scene—SoMa’s culinary landscape is as diverse as its visitors. From upscale eateries to casual food trucks, the neighborhood offers flavors from around the globe, ensuring every craving is satisfied.
Whether you're here to admire cutting-edge art, enjoy a craft cocktail, or simply soak up the lively, eclectic vibe, South of Market promises an exciting slice of San Francisco’s soul—where innovation and creativity collide in the most captivating way.
Looking for bars around the event?
We did our homework and found some great options for you.
B Restaurant & Bar
Price range: $$
Chic rooftop bar perched atop Moscone adjacent gardens—offering cocktails, a raw bar, and city-scape views for unwind sessions.
Above Moscone Center, SF (Approx. 0.0 km away from the event)
Shelby’s Rooftop
Price range: $$$
Upscale rooftop lounge with stylish small plates, scenic views, and cocktail finesse just minutes away.
Downtown SF, near Moscone (Approx. 0.3 km away from the event)
The Harlequin
Price range: $$
Vintage-glam cocktail bar with '1920s-era' decor—great energy for late-night discussions past the panel closing.
Yerba Buena neighborhood (Approx. 0.2 km away from the event)
Or maybe a place to stay?
Looking for a place to stay? We found some great options for you.
Virgin Hotels San Francisco
Price range: $$$
Stylish modern hotel next to Moscone—rooftop lounge, lounge restaurant, and creative energy perfect for tech attendees.
SoMa, San Francisco (Approx. 0.1 km away from the event)
If you're looking for a place to eat
We found some great options but you'll probably want to book in advance.
Fogo de Chão
Price range: $$$
Brazilian steakhouse serving churrasco-style meats—a hearty, standout meal near the venue.
201 Third St, SF (Approx. 0.2 km away from the event)
The Grove on Mission
Price range: $$
Comfort-food café with tree-filled interior—warm, casual spot perfect for midday regrouping.
690 Mission St, SF (Approx. 0.2 km away from the event)
Trace
Price range: $$$
Elegant American dining for formal meals—ideal for executive dinners or well-crafted fare.
181 3rd St, SF (Approx. 0.1 km away from the event)
Upcoming events after AI Engineer World’s Fair 2026
- Jun30-02Jun 30, 2026 - Jul 02, 2026
AI Engineer World’s Fair 2026
The AI Engineer World’s Fair (AIE Worlds Fair) is the flagship conference for the AI Engineer community, bringing together thousands of builders, researchers, founders and investors to explore the cutting edge of AI engineering. The 2026 edition, scheduled for 30 June–2 July 2026 at San Francisco...
Add to calendar
- Jul06-12Jul 06, 2026 - Jul 12, 2026
ICML 2026 — International Conference on Machine Learning
The International Conference on Machine Learning (ICML) f ture meetings page confirms that the 2026 edition will be held in Seoul, South Korea from 6–12 July 2026 at COEX. ICML is one of the most prestigious conferences in artificial intelligence and machine learning, bringing together researcher...
Add to calendar
- Aug08-14Aug 08, 2026 - Aug 14, 2026
IJCAI-ECAI 2026 — Bremen, Germany
The 2026 joint IJCAI-ECAI meeting brings together two of the world’s premier AI communities for a week-long program in Bremen, Germany. The conference features main technical tracks, workshops, tutorials, and contests spanning the breadth of AI—reasoning, learning, search, multi-agent systems, kn...
Add to calendar
- Aug15-16Aug 15, 2026 - Aug 16, 2026
Africa Chatbot & Conversational AI Summit 2026
The Africa Chatbot & Conversational AI Summit 2026 marks the sixth edition of the series and is scheduled for August 2026 in Lagos, Nigeria. Building on its sister event in Europe, the summit aims to catalyse the adoption of conversational and generative AI across Africa’s public and private sect...
Add to calendar
