Date: 1 March 2027
Location: Brussels, Belgium
Type: Senior Defence & AI Summit
Website: aidefencesummit.eu
What Is the AI in Defence Summit 2027?
The AI in Defence Summit 2027 is a one-day senior forum taking place in Brussels, Belgium, on 1 March 2027. It convenes defence, policy, and deep tech leaders with a shared objective: to shape AI strategy, close capability gaps, and forge alliances for European security. Rather than a broad technology expo, the event is positioned as a focused, senior-level gathering where decision-makers across the defence and artificial intelligence communities can align on priorities.
The summit arrives at a moment when European defence organisations are under pressure to accelerate the adoption of AI-enabled capabilities while navigating complex questions of sovereignty, procurement, and interoperability. By bringing together government, military, industry, and deep tech stakeholders in one room, the AI in Defence Summit 2027 aims to move conversations beyond theoretical frameworks and toward practical strategy. The Brussels location is significant, placing the event at the heart of EU institutions where defence and technology policy is increasingly shaped.
The agenda is built around four core areas: EU sovereignty, hybrid warfare, autonomy, and defence AI funding. Each of these themes reflects a live challenge for European security — from reducing dependence on non-European technology providers to countering hybrid threats and financing the development and deployment of autonomous systems at scale. The summit’s format is designed for senior participants, meaning discussions are likely to prioritise strategy, investment, and alliance-building over introductory content.
Why It Matters for AI Professionals
For AI professionals, the AI in Defence Summit 2027 represents a rare opportunity to engage directly with the defence sector’s most consequential questions. Defence is emerging as one of the most demanding domains for applied AI, requiring robust systems that perform under strict reliability, security, and ethical constraints. Professionals working in machine learning, autonomy, computer vision, and secure systems will find that the summit’s themes map directly onto real capability gaps that European defence organisations are actively trying to close.
The event also matters commercially. Defence AI funding is a central theme, and the summit is designed to connect deep tech leaders with the policy and defence stakeholders who influence procurement and investment decisions. For researchers and engineers considering defence applications, or for executives assessing where European defence AI budgets are heading, the forum offers a concentrated view of the strategic direction — and the alliances forming around it — without the noise of a large trade show.
What to Expect
The AI in Defence Summit 2027 is structured as a one-day senior forum, with content organised around its four stated themes. Attendees can expect a programme focused on strategy and capability rather than product demonstrations.
- EU sovereignty: Discussions on Europe’s ability to develop and control its own AI-enabled defence capabilities, including supply chain and technology independence considerations.
- Hybrid warfare: Examination of how AI intersects with hybrid threats and what defence and policy leaders need to respond effectively.
- Autonomy: Sessions addressing autonomous systems in defence contexts, from capability development to governance questions.
- Defence AI funding: A focus on how AI initiatives in defence are financed, and how funding mechanisms shape which capabilities advance.
The summit is explicitly designed to forge alliances for European security, so networking and cross-sector dialogue are expected to be as important as the formal agenda. Specific speakers, session times, and the full programme are details to be announced. Interested participants should monitor the official website for updates.
Who Should Attend
The AI in Defence Summit 2027 targets a senior audience. It is most relevant for defence and security leaders, policymakers and government officials working on defence and technology portfolios, and executives at deep tech and AI companies with defence applications. Researchers and technical leaders focused on autonomy, secure AI, and defence-relevant machine learning will also find the strategic content valuable, particularly for understanding how funding and policy priorities translate into capability requirements.
Given the forum’s senior positioning, attendees should expect peers who are involved in shaping or executing AI strategy rather than those seeking introductory technical training. Those working at the intersection of AI and European security — whether in industry, government, academia, or the armed forces — are the core audience.
How to Register
Registration details, including pricing and attendance criteria, are to be announced. The official event website is the authoritative source for registration information, programme updates, and speaker announcements.
Visit https://aidefencesummit.eu to register and to receive the latest information about the AI in Defence Summit 2027.