On 2–3 June 2026, the Czech Institute of Informatics, Robotics and Cybernetics at CTU in Prague will host the international event RICAIP Days 2026. The two-day programme will bring together cutting-edge research, industry, and the public sector, offering insights into the current state and future of industrial artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing. A number of prominent figures from science, research, and industry—both from the Czech Republic and abroad—have accepted invitations to speak at the conference.
The culmination of the RICAIP project and the start of a new phase
The opening day will feature the RICAIP Project Final Conference 2026, symbolically concluding nearly seven years of the RICAIP project. During its lifetime, supported by €48 million from European and national sources, the project has built a unique international research infrastructure and significantly contributed to bridging research and industrial practice in the field of industrial AI and automation.
The project is led by an international consortium headed by the Czech Institute of Informatics, Robotics and Cybernetics at CTU. The principal investigator and scientific leader is Professor Vladimír Mařík, Scientific Director of CIIRC CTU, who has long focused on linking research, industry, and innovation in a European context. Other partners include the German centres DFKI and ZeMA, and Brno University of Technology.
AI and robotics at the frontier of the physical world
The main theme of the conference is “AI & Robotics at the Frontier of the Physical World”, focusing on the interaction between artificial intelligence and the physical world. This area represents one of today’s key technological challenges, with a direct impact on the future of manufacturing, logistics, and other industrial sectors. The programme will present an overview of current trends, concrete research results, and discussions on the future direction of this rapidly evolving field.
Bringing together leaders in global research and industry
RICAIP Days 2026 will welcome a number of distinguished figures from academia and industry. Key speakers include Professor Wolfgang Wahlster (DFKI), one of Europe’s leading pioneers in artificial intelligence, and Professor Duncan McFarlane (University of Cambridge), an expert in industrial systems and digital manufacturing.
Other notable participants include Professor Antonio Krüger, CEO and Scientific Director of DFKI; Valentina Ivanova, Deputy Director of the French institute CEA-List and chief coordinator of the European AI-MATTERS network; Eduard Palíšek, CEO of Siemens Czech Republic; and Lukáš Kačena, the Czech Government Commissioner for Artificial Intelligence. The discussions will also feature representatives from industry and the innovation ecosystem, such as Jiří Kabelka (DEL), Luboš Lukasík (Machify), and Martin Jahn (ŠKODA AUTO). The conference will provide a platform for cross-sector and international exchange, offering a unique perspective on the development of industrial AI in both European and global contexts.
What comes after RICAIP: a new platform and INNOBRIDGE
An important part of the programme will be a strategic discussion on the future beyond the project’s completion. The debate will focus on the further development of the RICAIP Centre as a sustainable European platform for technology transfer, intellectual property management, and collaboration with industry.
A newly emerging fund, INNOBRIDGE, will also be introduced. Its aim is to effectively connect research with practice, support technology development, and facilitate commercialization across Europe.
Tech Dating 2026: connecting with industrial practice
The conference will be followed on Wednesday, 3 June, by the second edition of Tech Dating 2026, an open day of CIIRC CTU research departments, organized in cooperation with CzechInvest, the National Centre for Industry 4.0, EDIH CTU, TEF-AI Matters, AMSP, and other partners.
This day is primarily aimed at companies and their experts, bringing a practical dimension to the event. Participants will have the opportunity to consult specific technological challenges, gain an overview of available solutions in AI, automation, and digitalization, and establish direct contact with research teams and cutting-edge innovation infrastructure.
The programme will also include demonstrations of technologies applicable in industrial practice, as well as guided tours of the RICAIP Testbed Prague and other CIIRC CTU laboratories.
Invitation to participate
RICAIP Days 2026 offer a unique opportunity to gain a comprehensive overview of current developments in industrial artificial intelligence, meet leading experts in the field, and actively engage in discussions about the future of European industry.
Participation is free upon registration at the following links:
Conference: https://ricaip.eu/events/ricaip-project-final-conference-2026/
Tech Dating (Open Day): https://www.ciirc.cvut.cz/cs/tech-dating-2026/
