For researchers, engineers, and students in
Artificial Intelligence, 2026 is shaping up to be a landmark year. The rapid
evolution of large language models, computer vision, and reinforcement learning
has created unprecedented momentum. Attending the right conference is essential
for publishing cutting-edge work, networking with global leaders, and
understanding the field's future direction.
However, "AI" is a vast field.
The "best" conference depends on your specific goals: are you aiming
for a highly-cited, breakthrough paper at a top-tier venue, or are you focused
on a high-quality, peer-reviewed publication indexed in major academic
databases?
This guide covers both.
Part 1: The Top-Tier & Premier AI
Conferences of 2026
These conferences are the most prestigious
and competitive in the world. Acceptance is a significant achievement, and
their proceedings are a primary source for new developments.
- AAAI-26: The 40th AAAI Conference on Artificial Intelligence
- Focus: The foundational,
comprehensive conference for all of "classic" and modern AI,
from search and planning to machine learning and ethics.
- Expected Dates: February 2026
- Location: Boston, Massachusetts,
USA
- NeurIPS 2026: Conference on Neural Information Processing
Systems
- Focus: The world's largest and
most influential conference, focusing on machine learning, neuroscience,
and deep learning.
- Expected Dates: December 2026
- Location: (Typically held in North
America, TBD)
- ICML 2026: 43rd International Conference on Machine Learning
- Focus: A top-tier event (along
with NeurIPS) that covers all aspects of machine learning, from theory to
application.
- Expected Dates: July 2026
- Location: (Location TBD)
- ICLR 2026: International Conference on Learning Representations
- Focus: The premier conference for
deep learning. Known for its public, open-review process, it's where many
foundational "transformer" and LLM papers are published.
- Expected Dates: Spring 2026
- Location: (Location TBD)
- CVPR 2026: Conference on Computer Vision and Pattern
Recognition
- Focus: The #1 conference in the
world for computer vision research.
- Expected Dates: June 2026
- Location: (Location TBD)
Part 2: 2026 AI Conferences (EI
Compendex & Scopus Indexed)
This category includes high-quality,
IEEE-sponsored and affiliated conferences. Their proceedings are intended for
publication in IEEE Xplore and subsequent indexing by EI Compendex
and Scopus, making them a vital target for many researchers and PhD
students.
- PRAI 2026: 9th International Conference on Pattern Recognition
and Artificial Intelligence
- Focus: A strong conference on the
theory and application of AI and pattern recognition.
- Dates: August 14 - 16, 2026
- Location: Shanghai, China
- Submission Deadline: March 25,
2026
- SEAI 2026: 6th IEEE International Conference on Software
Engineering and Artificial Intelligence
- Focus: Explores the intersection
of AI techniques for software development and the engineering of robust
AI systems.
- Dates: June 19 - 21, 2026
- Location: Fuzhou, China
- Submission Deadline: January 20,
2026
- ICAIBD 2026: 9th IEEE International Conference on Artificial
Intelligence and Big Data
- Focus: Covers AI technologies
specifically as they relate to big data analytics, management, and
processing.
- Dates: May 29 - 31, 2026
- Location: Chengdu, China
- Submission Deadline: November 30,
2025
- AAIEE 2026: 2nd IEEE International Conference on AI
Applications in Electrical Engineering
- Focus: A specialized event for AI
applications in power systems, control, and electrical engineering.
- Dates: May 8 - 11, 2026
- Location: Beijing, China
- Submission Deadline: December 15,
2025
How to Choose?
- Aim for Top-Tier (AAAI, NeurIPS, etc.) if your research is a fundamental, novel breakthrough and your
primary goal is high-impact visibility within the core AI community.
- Aim for IEEE & Indexed Conferences (PRAI, SEAI, etc.) if your work is a strong, novel application or a solid piece
of research and your primary goal is a peer-reviewed, citable publication
indexed by EI Compendex and Scopus.
