EU AI Act Demystified: Risk Tiers, August 2 Rules, and Future Requirements

⌖ Dublin · Royal Dublin Society (RDS)

Hosted by Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE)

Ireland's International AI Summit 2026 marks the official launch of European AI Innovation Month, positioning Dublin at the heart of Europe's AI conversation. Hosted by Ireland's Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment during the country's EU Presidency, this flagship event brings together EU and global leaders, heads of government, CEOs, investors, innovators and academics at the Royal Dublin Society (RDS) on 14th October 2026. What Makes This Summit Essential Under the theme Harnessing AI to Revolutionise Europe's Competitiveness, the summit serves as a high-level platform for strategic dialogue on AI's future application across Europe and globally. Ireland's unique position as the EU headquarters for sixteen of the world's top twenty global technology companies and eight leading foundational AI model providers makes it an ideal setting for this critical conversation about Europe's technological sovereignty and competitive future. Programme Structure The full-day summit combines multiple engagement formats designed to explore AI from policy, economic and technological perspectives. Ministerial addresses and keynote speeches from global leaders will establish the strategic context, with confirmed keynote speaker EU Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen addressing technological sovereignty, security and democracy. These high-level addresses are complemented by panel discussions and fireside chats examining: - Competitiveness and innovation in the European AI landscape - Trustworthy AI development and deployment - Digital infrastructure requirements for AI advancement - Investment strategies and funding mechanisms - Skills and talent development for the AI economy Sector Deep Dives and Practical Applications Beyond strategic policy discussion, the summit includes European-focused sector deep dives examining AI opportunities across key areas of economy and society. These sessions highlight practical examples of AI adoption and collaboration, showcasing how businesses, public services and research institutions deploy AI solutions to improve productivity, deliver innovative services and address complex societal challenges. An Innovation Spotlight Exhibition will provide enterprises the opportunity to demonstrate cutting-edge AI applications and solutions, with expressions of

⌖ Dublin

Hosted by European Commission / University College Dublin / Taighde Éireann-Research Ireland

AIS26 brings scientists, policymakers, industry innovators and investors to Dublin on 15–16 October 2026 to shape responsible AI in scientific discovery. Advancing AI and science together The AI in Science Summit 2026 (AIS26) is a two-day flagship conference of the European Commission focused on building a responsible, robust and distinctively European approach to deploying artificial intelligence in scientific research. Taking place in Dublin, the summit creates a forum for discussing how AI can accelerate discovery while supporting an ecosystem in which science and AI advance together. AIS26 is coordinated by University College Dublin and Taighde Éireann–Research Ireland in association with Ireland’s EU Presidency Programme. It also forms part of the European AI Innovation Month, giving attendees an opportunity to contribute to wider conversations about Europe’s research direction and initiatives such as RAISE. What to expect The event is described as both a conference and workshop, with a programme set to include: - Plenary talks examining AI’s role in scientific discovery - Thematic sessions covering research, policy and innovation - Discussion of responsible and robust AI deployment - Opportunities for AI researchers to share state-of-the-art methodologies - Additional activities to be confirmed with the full programme The European Laboratory for Learning and Intelligent Systems will co-curate the Science for AI track. This strand will focus on the fundamental advances in machine learning and artificial intelligence expected to shape the next generation of AI systems. Who should attend? AIS26 is designed for researchers working in AI and related scientific fields, as well as policymakers, industry innovators and investors interested in the future of AI-enabled research. For researchers in particular, it offers a setting to collaborate with peers, present and exchange advanced methodologies, and help shape Europe’s future research priorities. No individual speakers or detailed session timings have yet been announced. The organisers will publish the complete programme,including plenaries, thematic sessions and other activities,in the coming weeks.… Register for this event

Sponsors: European Commission · Taighde Éireann-Research Ireland

⌖ Dublin · Baseline

Hosted by ProductTank Dublin

Learn how product managers can make better interconnected decisions as AI reshapes product judgment, discovery and intuition at this in-person Dublin event. Hosted by ProductTank Dublin, this two-hour evening meetup takes place on Thursday 15 October 2026, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm IST, at Baseline in Dublin. It offers a practical examination of a central question for modern product teams: if AI can make strong individual decisions, what role should human judgment play across the much longer and messier process of building a product? Talk and fireside chat Tor Svendsen, a Product Manager, will explore why product management cannot be reduced to a single choice. Product professionals must navigate chains of connected decisions, notice when work is moving off course, learn from new evidence and adjust direction. His talk will consider the value created through discovery as an idea becomes a design, moves into development, reaches customers and encounters reality. The evening will continue with a fireside chat moderated by Louise Bernstein, Managing Director at 3E. She will be joined by Tor and Glen Holmes, VP of Product at Qase, to discuss: - How product leaders can improve the quality of their decisions - Where human experience and judgment remain important - How AI is reshaping product intuition - Why learning and course correction matter across interconnected choices This combination of a focused talk and moderated conversation should suit product managers, product leaders and people working across product development, product marketing, AI/ML and lean startup environments. The subject is less about a specific AI tool and more about the decision-making skills needed to guide products responsibly as AI becomes part of how teams work. Venue and attendance Productboard, described as an agentic product system for modern product teams, is hosting the event at Baseline, a community and workspace for early-stage founders building breakout and breakthrough technology companies. The venue is on the third floor at 61 Thomas Street, The Liberties, Dublin 8, D08 W250. View the event and registration details

Sponsors: Productboard

⌖ Dublin · Baseline

Hosted by DesignBrew

Explore how AI is reshaping design work and careers at DesignBrew’s fireside chat in Dublin on 17 October 2026. AI tools are evolving quickly, but separating practical value from hype can be difficult. Hosted by DesignBrew, this four-hour event offers an unscripted, transparent discussion about how AI is changing designers’ day-to-day work, required skills and career decisions. Rather than making broad predictions, the panel will share first-hand experiences of what has, and has not, worked while adapting their own careers around AI. The session is designed for designers at every stage, from people beginning their careers to established practitioners considering their next move. It will be particularly useful if you have questions about skill gaps, career pivots, choosing worthwhile learning resources or making sense of the expanding AI tool landscape. What to expect The afternoon combines a fireside-style panel, audience participation, an open career Q&A and informal networking. An open seat on the panel gives attendees the opportunity to help shape the discussion directly, making this more participatory than a conventional sequence of talks. You can expect to: - Hear candid stories about how designers are responding to AI in their work and careers - Learn from approaches that succeeded as well as those that did not - Raise your own questions during the interactive panel and open Q&A - Discuss career changes, skill gaps and practical next steps without generic advice - Leave with a concise list of tools and courses that people working in the industry genuinely recommend - Meet other members of the design community over coffee and light refreshments Schedule - 3:00 PM: Doors open and coffee - 3:30 PM: Introduction and welcome - 4:00 PM: Main panel, AI’s impact on design - 4:45 PM: Interactive panel - 5:30 PM: Coffee break - 5:45 PM: Open career and AI Q&A - 6:30 PM: Closing and community networking The event takes place from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Saturday, 17 October 2026 at Baseline, 61 Thomas Street, 3rd Floor, Dublin 8. Baseline is on the third floor; attendees with accessibility requirements should contact the organiser in advance so lift access can be confirmed and suitable arrangements made. View the event and registration details

⌖ Dublin · Central Dublin Private Boardroom

Hosted by Demystifying AI Governance Dublin

A practical EU AI Act and AI governance briefing for Dublin founders, CTOs and product leaders, held on 22 October 2026 in central Dublin. Move beyond prompting to audit-ready AI governance Under Article 4 of the EU AI Act, deployers and operators must ensure their teams have adequate AI literacy. This in-person executive breakfast from Demystifying AI Governance Dublin focuses on what that obligation means in practice: institutional risk management, documented human oversight and an understanding of the socio-technical effects of AI systems. The session is designed for tech founders, CTOs, heads of product, legal counsel and other leaders responsible for AI adoption or compliance. It will be led by Hycentina Ifeoma Ekwerike, founder of Cinthify, an AIGP-certified AI Governance Professional with an MSc in Management & Corporate Governance. Five-module working masterclass The curriculum progresses from core concepts to practical application: - AI fundamentals: the transition from deterministic, rules-based systems to probabilistic pattern-recognition models,and why that changes governance requirements. - The legal landscape: the EU AI Act’s risk-based approach, the responsibilities of different AI actors, and its interaction with GDPR and non-discrimination law. - Proactive governance: identifying risks such as proxy bias, model drift, automation bias and AI exceptionalism rather than relying on legal box-ticking. - Stakeholder impact: assessing feedback loops between AI, people and data, alongside effects on employees, regulators, shareholders and society. - Case studies and scenario analysis: applying governance principles directly to attendees’ company product stacks. The format combines a masterclass, executive networking, a hot working breakfast, a live compliance clinic and an operational toolkit walkthrough. The agenda runs from 9:00am to 11:45am IST, beginning with artisan coffee and networking before the teaching modules, scenario work and wrap-up. What the €145 ticket includes… Register for this event

⌖ Dublin · UCD Innovation Academy, O'Brien Centre for Science

Hosted by Innovation Academy UCD

UCD students can tackle real campus challenges at this three-hour, in-person hackathon in Dublin on 27 October 2026, working ideas into potential solutions. Make an idea for UCD more tangible The UCD Student Hackathon offers a focused opportunity to explore how campus life could be improved through student-led ideas. Rather than working with an abstract brief, participants will address genuine challenges faced by UCD students and consider practical ways to respond. Taking place from 4pm to 7pm at the UCD Innovation Academy in the O'Brien Centre for Science, this hands-on session is designed around collaboration and active problem-solving. You will have three hours to examine a challenge, exchange perspectives with other students and develop an idea into a potential solution that could make UCD better. What to expect The event uses a compact, in-person hackathon format. Participants can expect to: - Tackle a real challenge affecting students at UCD - Generate and develop ideas within a focused three-hour session - Collaborate with other students and draw on different perspectives - Move beyond discussing a problem towards shaping a possible solution - Meet fellow students interested in improving the university experience You can come on your own or arrive with a team. Everyone is welcome, making the event suitable both for students who already enjoy hackathons and collaborative projects and for those trying this kind of format for the first time. No named speakers or specific technology requirements are listed; the emphasis is on participation, teamwork and making progress on an idea. Venue and practical details The hackathon takes place on Tuesday 27 October 2026, from 4pm to 7pm, in the Shackleton Lounge at UCD Innovation Academy, O'Brien Centre for Science, Belfield, Dublin, D04 N2E5. It is organised by Innovation Academy UCD. Free drinks and snacks will be provided during the event. The combination of a real UCD-focused brief, an open invitation to solo participants and teams, and a short working format makes this a practical way to contribute ideas while connecting with other students. Get tickets for the UCD Student Hackathon