The question is no longer whether artificial intelligence will affect our jobs, but how organisations can use it to their advantage. The Compass AI & Tech Summit 2026 will take place on October 1–2 at the Eiffel Műhelyház in Budapest, bringing together experts from international technology companies to share practical experience and solutions.
Focus of the event
Under the motto “From Idea to Impact,” the conference emphasises practical applications and measurable outcomes. Organisers say the market now expects tangible business value rather than speculative forecasts; the Summit’s programme responds directly to that demand.
This year’s event is notable because five previously separate specialist conferences have been merged into a single summit. The programme is therefore not limited to developers: it targets product teams, data analysts, engineers, designers, UX/UI professionals and company leaders, reflecting how AI adoption increasingly connects these disciplines in the workplace of the future.
Speakers and topics
Speakers include recognised figures from the international tech sector:
- Bryce Johnson (Microsoft): a lead designer and one of the creators of the Xbox Adaptive Controller, speaking on accessibility and human-centred design in gaming and product development.
- Dr. Laura Herman (Adobe): an expert on the relationship between AI and the creative industries, examining whether AI threatens or expands creative opportunity.
- Bryce Adelstein Lelbach (NVIDIA): an authority on AI infrastructures who will discuss the technological foundations enabling AI and their future development.
- Dejan Menges (Vinted): who will address the operation and challenges of technological systems serving a multi-million user community.
- Oleksandra Bovkun (Databricks): speaking on how data and AI can be applied in business so that data becomes a driver of everyday business decisions.
Representatives from Zalando and Wise are also part of the programme; the Summit aims to bring together cross-industry experiences.
The human side: psychology and leadership
The event does not only cover technical and product development issues: psychological and leadership aspects receive significant attention. Joseph Pelrine will present on how social psychology and behavioural science can improve team collaboration and how technological change affects employee mental wellbeing.
Pelrine’s talk will address managing anxiety associated with AI adoption and the new leadership challenges and skills required when people work alongside AI on a daily basis.
Atmosphere and venue
The Compass AI & Tech Summit combines serious professional content with a festival-like, informal atmosphere. The industrial setting of the Eiffel Műhelyház offers space for talks, panel discussions and networking. In addition to sessions, participants can build connections, gather ideas and sample Budapest’s street food during breaks.
Why it matters
The Summit aims to move beyond debate about a shared AI future and instead demonstrate, through practical examples, how companies can shape that future today. By presenting practitioner experiences and corporate case studies, the event connects technology, business and human factors to show how ideas can lead to real-world impact.
