European AI and Software-Defined Vehicle Summit 2026

European AI and Software-Defined Vehicle Summit 2026 will be held on May 19–20, 2026 at Le Meridien Stuttgart in Germany, with both in-person and online attendance options. Organized by ECV International, the summit positions Europe’s automotive hub as a key arena for integrating artificial intelligence, software-defined vehicle architecture and autonomous driving into next-generation mobility.

What Sets The European AI and Software-Defined Vehicle Summit 2026 Apart

The summit is built around the deep convergence of AI, SDV architecture and autonomy in the global automotive industry. Europe’s role as the birthplace of automotive manufacturing and a center of innovation frames discussions on how AI can become the new powertrain for vehicles. The event aims to create a cross-disciplinary platform where OEMs, technology firms, semiconductor companies, software providers and regulatory bodies collaborate on smarter, safer and more sustainable mobility.

The summit is tailored for a wide but clearly defined professional audience across automotive, AI and mobility technology. It targets C-level executives, VPs, general managers and managing directors seeking strategic guidance on leading in the AI-SDV era. Heads and directors of software, E/E architecture, ADAS, AI/ML, cloud, cybersecurity, connected services and operating systems or middleware will find detailed sessions on architecture, data flows and OTA-ready releases.

Managers and senior managers responsible for SDV programmes, autonomous driving, data and platform engineering, OTA and diagnostics benefit from operational and governance insights. System and software architects for vehicle, E/E, cloud and platform design, as well as senior, embedded, validation and simulation engineers, along with specialists in AI, perception, HPC, networks, safety, HMI and simulation, can draw on rich technical case studies and best practices.

Programme topics span both strategic outlooks and detailed engineering challenges in AI-enabled vehicles. The agenda highlights Software-Defined Vehicles, large AI models for autonomous driving and smart cockpits, centralized and zonal E/E architecture, and 6G and V2X collaboration. Further themes include data closed-loop systems, compliance and security in the EU’s digital legal environment, open-source safety in SDV software, and integrated quality governance for safety, security and AI lifecycle alignment.

Dedicated sessions explore AI-driven cockpit personalisation, LLM-based agents for developer productivity, HPC foundations for automated driving, and the shift from software-defined vehicles to decision-defined mobility.

Networking sits at the core of the summit’s value proposition. Participants gain direct exposure to experts from OEMs, tier-one suppliers, cloud and software providers, and legal and regulatory advisors. The programme includes panel discussions such as Designing Cars in the Cloud, featuring virtual twins and synthetic data, alongside roundtables and workshops that encourage focused dialogue.

Sponsorship formats ranging from diamond and presentation packages to exhibition booths and panel discussion sponsorships further enhance branding and partnership opportunities for companies active in AI, SDV and automotive software.

Delegates can choose in-person registration, which includes access to two full conference days, conference materials, two luncheons and refreshments, with travel and accommodation arranged separately. Live broadcasting registration offers remote access to the two-day conference stream and materials, supported by full event video recording. Presentation materials, subject to speaker permission, are shared via a link within a week after the summit.

Prospective attendees can request the detailed agenda and register by completing the application form on the official summit website; ECV International follows up after verifying the information to ensure timely delivery of updates.