- PeaceTech Conference 2026 will explore ethical AI, sustainability, and digital governance at ViennaUP
- The event gathers policymakers, technologists, and investors addressing AI’s environmental and societal impacts
- The Conference’s programme focuses on energy use, EU AI Act, and sustainable AI deployment strategies.
- The pitch session will showcase scalable PeaceTech innovations with investment and real-world application potential
The PeaceTech Conference 2026 (PTC26) will take place on May 20th, 2026, at Impact Hub Vienna as part of the ViennaUP festival, bringing together policymakers, technologists, investors, and civil society leaders to examine one of the most urgent questions of the digital age: how artificial intelligence can be developed and deployed responsibly in a resource-constrained world.
Organised by PeaceTech Hub Vienna and Nexus Group AI, the Conference focuses on advancing ethical AI within a sustainable and equitable global framework. Under the theme ‘Advancing Ethical AI in a Sustainable World,’ PTC26 positions itself at the intersection of technology, climate responsibility, and governance, addressing both the opportunities and risks created by rapidly scaling AI systems.
AI at the Intersection of Progress and Resource Pressure
As AI continues to transform industries and societies, its environmental footprint has become increasingly difficult to ignore. Rising energy consumption, growing demand for data infrastructure, and pressure on water and electricity systems are reshaping how digital technologies are evaluated.
PTC26 brings this tension into focus, asking how AI can simultaneously drive innovation and contribute to climate resilience. Rather than treating sustainability and technological progress as competing forces, the Conference explores how they can be aligned through design, policy, and investment decisions.
A Platform for Europe’s AI and Sustainability Leaders
The Conference convenes a curated group of speakers and contributors from across Europe’s technology, corporate, and policy landscape. Recognizable speakers contribute to discussions on how Europe can build more responsible and resource-efficient AI systems. They include:
- Andrei I. Cursaru, Founder & CEO at Nexus Group AI
- Martin Hanzl, Lawyer at EY
- Kilian Kaminski, Founder at Refurbed
- Margit Mayr, Investment Manager at Erste Group
- Jelisaveta Pavlović, Senior Expert at OMV
- Marie-Sophie Reitinger, Lawyer at DORDA Rechtsanwälte GmbH
- Kasia Sadowska, Director at Founder Institute
- Kambis Vajargah, HOD Start-Up Services at WKÖ
- Moritz Weinhofer, Project Manager at AWS
- and more
The programme is structured around three thematic pillars that reflect the lifecycle of AI development and governance:
- The first focuses on AI’s potential to optimise energy systems and reduce emissions.
- The second addresses environmental risks linked to data centres, resource extraction, and infrastructure expansion.
- The third examines regulatory frameworks, particularly the EU AI Act, and its role in ensuring equitable access to ‘Green AI’ technologies.
From Technical Innovation to Policy Impact
PTC26 is designed to bridge the gap between engineering, governance, and societal impact. Discussions move beyond abstract debate to practical implementation, highlighting how technical design choices influence energy consumption, system resilience, and geopolitical dependencies.
A central focus is the concept of ‘PeaceTech’ — the idea that technology can actively contribute to conflict prevention, sustainability, and societal resilience when designed with ethical principles at its core. The conference builds on previous editions by deepening the integration between technical expertise and European policy frameworks.
Showcasing Scalable PeaceTech Solutions
A highlight of the event is the “Pitch & Chill 2026” session, where selected startups and innovators present scalable solutions addressing sustainability, resilience, and ethical AI deployment. They include:
These teams will showcase technologies spanning biotech, materials science, and AI-driven infrastructure. Their presentations get evaluated by a jury of investors and ecosystem experts, creating opportunities for funding, partnerships, and real-world deployment.
Vienna as a Hub for Responsible AI
As part of ViennaUP, PeaceTech Conference 2026 contributes to positioning Vienna as a European centre for ethical technology and innovation dialogue. The city’s role as host reflects its broader commitment to combining technological development with social responsibility and international cooperation.
By bringing together diverse stakeholders, PTC26 creates a space where technical expertise, policy thinking, and investment strategies converge. The result is a conference that not only analyses the challenges of AI but actively works toward solutions that balance innovation with planetary boundaries and societal needs
In a Nutshell
- Date: May 20th, 2026
- Place: Impact Hub, Vienna, Austria
- More information: on the Conference’s official website
- Tickets here
Kostiantyn is a freelance writer from Crimea but based in Lviv. He loves writing about IT and high tech because those topics are always upbeat and he’s an inherent optimist!
