Portfolio will hold the AI & Digital Transformation 2026 conference on 26 November 2026 at the Budapest Marriott Hotel. The one‑day event targets practical questions around business use of artificial intelligence, from strategic decisions and enterprise transformation to cybersecurity and regulatory risks.
Focus and audience
The conference is aimed at both large corporations and small and medium‑sized enterprises (SMEs), as well as IT suppliers, consultants and regulators. Organizers highlight that agentic AI and autonomous AI agents are reshaping operating models: they can deliver rapid efficiency gains while fundamentally challenging core business processes.
Morning: strategy and scaling AI in production
The programme opens with Section I: "AI strategy in the live business world," featuring experiences from senior executives and AI‑driven challengers. Sessions focus on end‑to‑end enterprise AI transformation, paths to return on investment (ROI), and how AI can accelerate human‑centred digital change. A roundtable will discuss organisational models rethought for the AI era.
Section II/A: "AI transformation in a live business environment" examines how organisations can get out of pilot purgatory. AI experts and innovation leaders will share business outcomes, dead ends and lessons learned from deployments, and discuss how to build an AI‑driven company. A panel will also assess Hungary’s current position in the AI shift.
Technology deep dives and real use cases
Section II/B: "Technology Deep dive" presents concrete use cases and case studies showing how different industries apply AI to everyday business problems. The aim is to give participants practical inspiration for their own projects.
Risks, regulation and GEO (Generative Engine Optimization)
Section III/A: "How my AI agent will not run away" explores areas of AI application that appear risky. Live debates will cover topics such as the need for mandatory kill switches, who stands to benefit most from the AI revolution, practical implications of the EU AI Act, and cyber risks in the AI era. A closing roundtable will address balancing business objectives with security risks.
Section III/B: "Workshop – after SEO comes GEO!" focuses on Generative Engine Optimization (GEO): how companies can become discoverable to AI models. The interactive workshop goes into technical detail to help participants understand how to become a preferred source for AI systems when users search for services or products.
Interactive workshops: organisation, technology and agentic AI in practice
Section IV/A: "Interactive Workshop – Technology vs. people" argues that AI project failures are rarely due to technology alone, and more often stem from unprepared organisations, poorly defined goals, internal resistance or lack of collaboration. Through practical examples, the workshop shows how to treat AI adoption as organisational transformation rather than merely an IT project.
Section IV/B: "Interactive Workshop – Agentic AI in practice" provides a live demonstration solving a real business problem with a purpose‑built AI agent. Participants will follow how to design, configure and integrate an agent that makes autonomous decisions and automates workflows, gaining immediately applicable practical knowledge.
Who should attend and registration
The event is recommended for SMEs seeking to digitalise, large enterprises looking for real ROI, IT suppliers willing to learn from competitors, up‑to‑date consultants, regulators seeking dialogue with the market, and anyone wishing to expand their professional network. Portfolio encourages early registration for those who want first‑hand insights into current AI trends and business experiences; programme and registration details are available on Portfolio’s website.
Notes
The cover image is illustrative; source: Getty Images. An AI assistant contributed to preparing this article; the final content was edited and verified by Portfolio’s journalist.
