Is the future of AI in Brazil open source? 🤔 At #WebSummitRio, Ronaldo Lemos, emphasised that true innovation happens when local talent takes centre stage. Instead of relying solely on major international AI providers, Brazilian developers have the skill and community drive to adapt open-source models for local capabilities. What role do you think open-source technology should play in national AI strategies?

The best side quests are the ones you don’t plan for 🗺️ Take a break between talks to explore the exhibition floor, where you'll discover these hidden gems. Which one are you taking on first?

Is the EU in danger of enforcing yesterday’s rules on tomorrow’s technology? Henna Virkkunen, European Commission’s Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, highlights the challenge of regulating fast evolving technologies. Because AI can decide on who gets a bank loan, who lands a job, or how transports and hospitals operate, these high-stakes systems need to build trust and safety for users. Can regulations keep up with the pace of innovation?

Remote work or back to office? 👀 We gathered our attendees to get their answers on a This or That challenge at #WebSummitVancouver. Where do you stand on these?

Is nuclear fusion closer to reality than ever? ⚡️ At #WebSummitVancouver, a panel of nuclear energy experts broke down the differences between fusion and fission, safety profiles and the ongoing research into these nuclear energy sources. Do you think nuclear energy is the future? 👇

This is Duo. Even better when you bring a friend.

Can the algorithm predict what we’ll like next, or just what we’ve already liked? 🤖 Lázaro Ramos, actor and director, reflected on the future of storytelling at #WebSummitRio. He shared his biggest hopes and fears regarding AI, and how human connections and algorithms affect art. Will AI ever replicate human emotion on screen?

Ever wonder where top-tier investors find their next big win? 📈 Over the past 11 years, 16 PITCH winners have collectively raised more than $1.45 billion in funding, proving that PITCH isn't just another startup competition; it's a glimpse of the founders who will lead tomorrow's industries. Will you be in the room when the next breakout founder steps up?

Should Canada's tech ecosystem take bigger risks? 🚀 At #WebSummitVancouver, Joelle Pineau, Chief AI Officer at Cohere, breaks down why Canadian tech ecosystems need a bigger appetite for risk and more founders to compete with California. Is taking risks the main ingredient for innovation, or is capital more important?

Can you guess the emoji thread? 👀 We stopped attendees at #WebSummitRio and hit them with an emoji quiz, camera rolling, no time to prepare. Some nailed it in seconds. Some are still trying to explain what they thought it meant.

What makes a brand-creator partnership work? At #WebSummitRio Rodrigo Morán, Global Head of Creative of Family of Apps at Meta, breaks down the key to authentic brand-creator collaborations. Should brands prioritise their own brand DNA or the creator and their audience?

What does a cheap phone have to do with the future of agriculture? 👀 Apl.de.ap, The Black Eyed Peas member and OMTSE Ventures founder shares his perspective on AI as a tool for musicians, the future of live performance and the technology farmers need to access knowledge, connectivity and financial visibility.

Want to represent your country at #WebSummit? 🌍 This November, 100 entrepreneurs will carry their country's flag onto Centre Stage to open Web Summit in Lisbon. We're looking for who that should be. Apply now, or nominate a founder in your network. bit.ly/4wBirxr

How do nations protect citizen data while supporting global innovation? 🔒 Evan Solomon, Canada's Minister of AI and Digital Innovation, broke down sovereign AI in politics and how countries can safeguard their local AI infrastructure while staying open to international collaboration. AI sovereignty and global collaboration: Can we have both?

What is the most overrated tech buzzword right now? 🤖 We asked #WebSummitVancouver attendees about their opinion on tech’s main characters, dystopian trends and future predictions. AI dominated the conversation. What’s your take?

Has high production value lost its edge on social media? 📱 At #WebSummitRio, Fábio Porchat, co-founder of Porta dos Fundos, explained how the content landscape transformed over the last decade. Back in 2012, polished, high-quality production was a major differentiator. Today, creators fight for audience retention against an endless variety of content. How do you keep an audience hooked in the age of distraction?

Analog warmth or digital precision? Questlove, music producer and member of The Roots, shared thoughts about his impressive 200k+ record collection, testing cutting-edge Japanese sound tech, and how podcasting is shaping communication. Are you team analog 🎙️ or team digital 🎤 ?

These moments are too good to stay in the camera roll. 📸 Look back at some of our 2026 highlights so far.

Beachfront cafes, voice vs. text, and localised AI... We put the #WebSummitRio attendees on the spot with a little This or That challenge! 🇧🇷 Which side are you on?

Can AI replace real human connections in business? 👩‍💼 At #WebSummitVancouver, Jasmine Tookes, Co-founder & Model, Brunel, and Jenny Wang, Founder & CEO, Alta, discussed the limits of AI in customer engagement. While AI tools can streamline response times and messaging, both founders emphasised that true brand loyalty relies on direct, authentic interactions and deep customer understanding. Something technology alone cannot replicate.