AI researchers flock to Copenhagen: new conference aims to boost Europe's AI and innovation power

This week, Copenhagen brings together researchers, students, and companies from across the globe to discuss artificial intelligence and catch up on the latest developments.

The conference, “EurIPS ”, held at Bella Center Copenhagen, is a European conference endorsed by the world’s most prestigious AI conference, NeurIPS , which is taking place simultaneously in San Diego.

The idea for the conference emerged in the spring, when European AI researchers debated online whether it would be possible to hold a European version – not only to save on travel costs and CO₂ emissions, but also to strengthen European innovation. The interest was overwhelming.

Platform for networking, recruitment and funding

In the summer, Professors Søren Hauberg and Aasa Feragen from DTU Compute received the green light from the parent organisation in the US, and since then they, along with colleagues and event professionals, have worked intensively on planning.

“The conference in the US is important because it serves as a central platform for innovation. It is a major meeting point for researchers and industry, where we share knowledge and companies recruit new talent. Many start-ups also secure funding during the conference,” says Professor Søren Hauberg.

“But it makes no sense for European companies to have to travel to the US to meet investors. That probably excludes some people financially from participating. And if these activities mainly take place in the US, Europe risks falling behind. The answer could be EurIPS.”

Broad and diverse programme

EurIPS is more than sold out. It gathers around 2,000 participants from 56 countries – half are students, a quarter academics, and a quarter from industry, including both small start-ups and global companies such as Microsoft, Novo Nordisk, and Google DeepMind.

The programme features research paper presentations, keynote talks, and a couple of panel debates, including discussions on how to continue the dialogue at a European level after the conference.

EurIPS concludes over the weekend with a series of workshops, which are also sold out.

“Researchers from across Europe have helped to create a strong programme for EurIPS, and we received so many workshop proposals that we could not even include half of them. So, EurIPS in Copenhagen sets the stage for a conference featuring plenty of young researchers presenting their work – and a number of senior researchers joining to comment on and discuss the research. We can’t wait!” says Aasa Feragen, Professor at DTU Compute.

EurIPS could be the start of a European AI movement

Søren Hauberg has high expectations for the conference.

“This is the first time we have organised such an AI meeting on European soil, and there is enormous interest at the highest level. With EurIPS, we can demonstrate that the European AI research community stands together. I hope that EurIPS will be the catalyst for a new European conference that will influence both research and society at large,” says Søren Hauberg.

The conference continues until Sunday.