# Arctic AI Summit 2026

> The premier Nordic and Arctic AI conference — Practical AI for Remote Areas.
> Kirkenes, Norway. Co-located with ACES 2026 (Arctic Circular Economy Summit).

## What is the Arctic AI Summit?

The Arctic AI Summit 2026 is a conference dedicated to practical artificial intelligence implementation for remote and Arctic communities. It brings together innovators, policymakers, creative professionals, educators, and technologists from across the Nordic and North Atlantic regions.

The event is co-located with ACES 2026 (Arctic Circular Economy Summit) in Kirkenes, Norway — a border town at the edge of the European Arctic, in the Barents region of Troms og Finnmark county.

## Key Facts

- **Full name:** Arctic AI Summit 2026
- **Dates:** 2026 (exact dates to be announced)
- **Location:** Kirkenes, Troms og Finnmark, Norway (69.7271°N, 30.0458°E)
- **Co-located with:** ACES 2026 — Arctic Circular Economy Summit
- **Project:** Part of Interreg Aurora Createch North: AI Leap
- **Organizer contact:** ondrej@svu.as
- **Website:** https://arctic-ai-summit.replit.app/

## Focus Areas

The summit focuses on practical AI solutions across these sectors:

1. **Creative Sectors** — AI for arts, culture, and creative industries in remote areas
2. **Tourism** — AI-enhanced visitor experiences, itinerary planning, and sustainability
3. **Energy** — Smart grid optimization, renewable energy management, AI-driven efficiency
4. **Public Services** — AI in healthcare, education, and local government in small communities
5. **Youth Innovation** — Empowering young people through AI skills workshops and mentoring
6. **VibeCoding Hackathon** — Multi-day hackathon in partnership with True North 2026

## Event Format

- Keynote presentations by leading AI and Arctic innovation experts
- Panel discussions on cross-sector AI applications
- Hands-on workshops for practical skill building
- VibeCoding Hackathon (48 hours) in partnership with True North 2026
- Networking events, including a Northern Lights viewing reception
- Joint sessions with ACES 2026 on AI and Circular Economy

## Why Kirkenes?

Kirkenes is a unique location at the junction of Norway, Finland, and Russia — a living example of cross-border Arctic cooperation. As the northernmost significant town on the European Arctic coast, it embodies the challenges and opportunities that AI can address in remote areas: connectivity, seasonal extremes, small community governance, Indigenous culture preservation, and cross-border logistics.

## Founding Partners

- **ICE Kirkenes** — Innovation hub for Sør-Varanger municipality
- **Interreg Aurora / Createch North: AI Leap** — EU-funded cross-border innovation program
- **Sør-Varanger Utvikling (SVU)** — Regional development agency for Sør-Varanger

## Registration

Registration details and ticket pricing are to be announced. Join the waitlist at:
https://arctic-ai-summit.replit.app/#register

## Volunteering

Volunteers are welcome. Apply at:
https://arctic-ai-summit.replit.app/#volunteer

## Contact

Email: ondrej@svu.as
Website: https://arctic-ai-summit.replit.app/