IE EdTech Summit 2026 Brings Global Leaders to IE University to Redefine the Role of AI in Higher Education

This week IE University is hosting the IE EdTech Summit 2026 under the theme "AI Leadership & Impact," a global gathering of leaders, innovators, and international experts to explore leadership and the impact of artificial intelligence in higher education. The event took place at IE University’s Madrid campus on March 18–19.

Designed as an open EdTech experience, the summit brought together more than 450 leaders, innovators, educators, and members of the IE community, with a clear focus on responsible AI adoption, evidence-based approaches, and measurable outcomes in universities and organizations.

The event opened with remarks from Teresa Martín-Retortillo, Chief Operations & Financial Officer at IE University, alongside international leaders such as Monica Arés (Microsoft), Jack Phillips (ROI Institute), Gabriela Allmi (Harvard Business Impact Education), and Greg Marschall (LearnWise), among others.

A Leadership Platform for Real AI Impact

More than a technology event, IE EdTech Summit 2026 is a strategic leadership platform bringing together key stakeholders who are shaping the real, measurable, and scalable impact of AI in higher education and corporate learning.

"AI and technology are already permeating every industry, and education is no exception,” said Alejandro Ameneiro, Director of IT Innovation & Special Projects at IE University. “We want to focus on impact and the evidence that demonstrates how AI improves education."

Artificial Intelligence with Measurable Impact

The IE EdTech Summit 2026 program explored how AI can generate tangible and scalable impact in higher education and organizations, including topics such as:

• AI-driven personalization of learning in higher education
• Learning analytics and measurement of academic outcomes
• Evidence-based AI implementation in universities
• Governance, ethics, and AI policy in educational institutions
• AI-driven innovation in corporate training
• The future of work and skills development in the AI era

Two Days: Executive Focus and Open Ecosystem

On March 18, an executive (VIP) forum brought together global leaders from academia and industry, including presidents, rectors, deans, Chief Learning Officers (CLOs), innovation and technology leaders, Big Tech representatives in education, as well as EdTech founders and investors.

On March 19, the open-access day welcomed more than 450 participants from across Europe and international markets, including higher education professionals, digital transformation leaders, EdTech startups, investors and venture capital firms, as well as specialized media and innovation experts.

The program featured:

• Keynotes from global technology leaders
• Expert panels on AI in universities
• Interdisciplinary discussions at the intersection of AI and learning science
• EdTech Playground, an interactive exhibition space showcasing AI-powered educational solutions
• Structured networking sessions and community-building opportunities

IE EdTech Summit 2026 further consolidates IE University as a global meeting point for those designing the next generation of higher education in the age of artificial intelligence.

For more information: https://edtechsummit.ie.edu/agenda