INSIDE Connect 2026
The INSIDE Connect 2026 event — from 30 September to 1 October, 2026
European digital systems roadmapping forum
Where Europe’s digital future takes shape
INSIDE Connect 2026
Join industry leaders, researchers, policymakers and innovators from across Europe for two days of strategic discussions, networking and collaboration that will shape the future of electronic systems and semiconductor technologies.
Why attend?
- Connect with Europe’s leading digital systems ecosystem
- Discover future technology roadmaps and innovation priorities
- Exchange with industry, academia and policymakers
- Explore collaboration opportunities and EU initiatives
- Experience one of Europe’s most inspiring destinations
Event highlights
Strategic Keynotes • Technology Roadmaps • Networking Sessions • Cultural Tour • Social Dinner • International Community
We are absolutely delighted to invite the global INSIDE community to join us in Palermo, Southern
Italy, for the upcoming Roadmapping Forum.
This remarkable city offers a truly distinctive setting that pairs a robust academic and research
foundation with an incredibly vibrant, layered cultural backdrop.
INSIDE Connect 2026 is where our interdisciplinary, inclusive, and forward-thinking community comes together to anticipate what lies ahead, defining a collective vision that strengthens our impact, influence, and identity in a rapidly changing world.
This is where connections become direction!
Army Officers’ Club
P.za Sant’Oliva, 25, 90141 Palermo PA, Italy
It’s time to connect!
During INSIDE Connect 2026, you can expect two inspiring days filled with insightful keynotes, interactive workshops, industry showcases, and meaningful networking opportunities. The program is designed to connect ideas, people, and innovation across Europe’s digital ecosystem.
Below is what you can expect:
Programme
This programme is currently a draft and may be updated as sessions and speakers are confirmed.
Day 1 – Wednesday – 30 September 2026
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 08:30 – 09:00 | Registration and Welcome Coffee |
| 09:00 – 09:10 | INSIDE Connect Opening Paolo Azzoni (INSIDE/Eurotech), Jean-Luc di Paola Galloni (INSIDE/Valeo) |
| 09:10 – 10:00 |
National and regional strategies for digital innovation
Welcome speech – Palermo Municipality
Building ECS value chain future: national perspectives
MIMIT and MUR
|
| 10:00 – 10:45 | State of Affairs: Chips Act 2.0,
MFF/ECF/FP10, WP 2027 Paolo Azzoni (INSIDE/Eurotech) |
| 10:45 – 11:15 | Networking Break: Connect & Exchange Projects Exhibition |
| 11:15 – 12:15 |
Global Semiconductor Power Shift: Europe, US & China
Presentation from Valeo/INSIDE
Jean-Luc di Paola Galloni (Valeo/INSIDE)
Presentation from LIMES
Giuseppe De Ruvo (LIMES)
Presentation from IFRI
|
| 12:15 – 12:45 |
Building Europe’s Next-Generation Chips with RISC-V
Michael Chapman (CORTUS)
|
| 12:45 – 13:00 | CADETTI: the Italian Competence Center Meet the Ecosystem Cristina De Luca (Chips IT Foundation) |
| 13:00 – 14:00 | Networking Lunch: Connect & Exchange Projects Exhibition |
| 14:00 – 14:30 |
The Future of Compute: Brain-Inspired and Unconventional Computing
Wilfred van der Wiel (University of Twente) |
| 14:30 – 15:30 |
Parallel Sessions
Session 1
Autonomous Systems
Enabling the Trillion Sensor Economy with Ultra-low Power Edge Computing
Michele Mastella (Neuronova)
Agentic AI for Robotic Autonomous Systems
Marco Di Felice (University of Bologna)
Brain-Inspired Compute for System-Level Autonomy
Mahmoud Akl (SpiNNcloud)
Session 2
Engineering the Next Generation of European Chips
How High-performance CPU Contribute to Europe AI Strategy
Vincent Casillas (SiPEARL)
Computing Evolution for the AI Edge
Giulio Urlini (STMicroelectronics)
PHOENIX: A National Hub for Chiplets and AI-enabled EDA – Aligning with Europe’s Chips Act Priorities
Andrea Pinna (Sorbonne Université)
|
| 15:30 – 16:00 | Networking Break: Connect & Exchange Projects Exhibition |
| 16:00 – 17:00 |
Parallel Sessions
Session 1
Autonomous Systems
Europe’s Robotics Future: Opportunities and Challenges in the Age of Embodied Intelligence
Juha Röning (University of Oulu/ADRA)
Efficient Edge Intelligence for Autonomous Drones and Robotics
Michele Magno (ETH Zurich)
Interoperable Multi-domain Autonomy
Alberto Bianchi (Leonardo)
Session 2
Application-driven Innovation Across the ECS Value Chain
Panel Discussion
Moderator:
Dimitrios Serpanos (Patras University)
Panelists:
– Andrea Pinna (Sorbonne Université)
– Gianluigi Ferrari (Università di Parma)
– Jon Perez (Ikerlan)
– Markus Tauber (Research Studios Austria) |
| 17:00 – 17:30 |
Parallel sessions
Session 1
Software-defined-X: the Future of Digital Systems
Hardware plasticity: unlocking the true potential of AI with software-defined hardware
Keith Shea (D-Chiplet)
Session 2
Business Development Session
Introduction
Turning innovation into business opportunities
|
| 17:30 – 18:15 | Return to the hotels and reach the meeting point |
| 18:15 – 20:00 | Discovering Palermo: heritage & innovation walk |
| 20:00 – Late | Evening networking dinner |
Day 2 – Thursday – 1 October 2026
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 08:30 – 09:00 | Networking Break: Connect & Exchange Projects Exhibition |
| 09:00 – 10:45 |
Parallel Sessions
Track 1
Software-defined and AI-defined Mobility
ECAVA Evolution and Future Opportunities
Michael Paulweber (AVL)
A Hardware Architecture for the Digital Vehicle of the Future
Patrick Pype (NXP)
Open discussion
Track 2
CEI-Sphere Deep Dive – Edge to Cloud in Industrial Optimization and Productivity
CEI-Sphere Introduction
Paolo Azzoni (INSIDE/ Eurotech)
Hourglass Model 2027 as a Business Canvas
Antonio Kung (Trialog), Paolo Azzoni (INSIDE/ Eurotech)
Presentation and Analysis of the “Stand-up 3” Questionnaire
Mauro Tortonesi / Paolo Azzoni (University of Ferrara / INSIDE Industry Association / Eurotech)
Deep-dive Open Discussion
Preliminary Recommendations
Track 3
EuroCDP – Designing Chips in Europe: Tools, Support and Opportunities
Session opening
Réda Nouacer (CEA)
Design-Platform Overview
Helio Fernandez Tellez (IMEC)
Using the EuroCDP Platform: a Tutorial
Marina Dias (INL) Design Enablement Teams overview
Olivier Thomas (CEA)
EuroCDP Venture Programme
Giorgio Dell’Erba (ChipsIT)
EuroCDP Grants
Helio Fernandez Tellez (IMEC)
Questions and answers
Réda Nouacer (CEA)
|
| 10:45 – 11:00 | Networking Break: Connect & Exchange Projects Exhibition |
| 11:00 – 13:00 |
Parallel thematic workshops
Thematic workshop 1
Autonomous systems
The Future of AI is Event-Driven: Connecting Sensors, Edge Intelligence and NeuroAI – Gianvito Urgese (Politecnico di Torino)
From LLMs to Living Systems: Autonomic AI in Controlled Environment Agriculture
Markus Tauber (Research Studios Austria)
Working Group Open Discussion
Thematic workshop 2
European engineering toolchain
AI-driven Engineering Copilot Based on Federated Knowledgegraphs
Torbjörn Holm (TBH Konsult AB), Jan Van Deventer (LTU)
Digital Transformation and why Ontology Based Integration could Significantly Improve the Success Rate
Håkan Kårdén (TBH Konsult AB)
Guardrails in Generative AI – Automated Traceability and Liveness: from Requirements to Trusted Implementation.
Flip van Spaendonck (Verum)
Working Group Open Discussion
|
| 13:00 – 14:00 | Networking Lunch: Connect & Exchange Projects Exhibition |
| 14:00 – 16:00 |
Parallel thematic workshops
Thematic workshop 3
Trustworthy & Resilient Cyber-physical SoS
Presentation by Ikerlan
Jon Perez (Ikerlan)
Working Group Open Discussion
Thematic workshop 4
Open ECS Architectures
RISC-V: from fragmentation to foundation
Vicente García (Quintauris)
Presentation from Apex.AI
RISC-V Vector for Scalable Acceleration of AI and HPC
Massimo Scardaci (OpenChip)
Working Group Open Discussion
|
| 16:00 – 16:30 | Closing Session: Shaping the Next Steps of the INSIDE Ecosystem |
Speakers
Paolo Azzoni
INSIDE Industry Association / Eurotech
Jean-Luc di Paola-Galloni
INSIDE Industry Association / Valeo
Mauro Tortonesi
University of Ferrara
Michael Paulweber
AVL List GmbH
Alberto Bianchi
Leonardo S.p.A
Markus Tauber
Research Studios Austria
Gianvito Urgese
Politecnico di Torino
José Javier Alonso Membrives
Junta de Andalucía
Marc Collier Sanderson
Málaga Municipality
Alfonso Gabarrón González
AESEMI
Javier M. Gozalvez
Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche
Pablo Ghiglino
Klepsydra Technologies
Torbjörn Holm
TBH Consult / Luleå University
Pedro Rodríguez
Nanophotonics Technology Center
Mikko Himanka
CENTRIA Ammattikorkeakoulu Oy
Saleh Mulhem
Universität zu Lübeck
Wilfred van der Wiel
UT-EEMCS
Vicente García Garrido
Quintauris
Event Venue
Located in the heart of Palermo, the Army Officers’ Club provides a distinctive historic setting for the two-day INSIDE Connect programme.
Army Officers’ Club
Piazza Sant’Oliva, 25
90141 Palermo, Italy
Cultural Tour
Join us for a memorable cultural and social experience in the vibrant city of Palermo.
We believe that the best professional connections are often made outside the lecture hall. To enrich your experience in Palermo, our social programme will begin with a carefully curated, guided cultural itinerary through the city’s historic centre. Designed specifically to be engaging yet time-efficient for an international audience, this walk will guide you through stunning Arab-Norman landmarks, bustling traditional markets, and vibrant central streets, allowing you to discover the city’s visible layers of history together.
Date: 30-09
Social Dinner
Following the cultural tour, the evening will culminate in the official Social Dinner, hosted at the magnificent Palazzo Fatta. Located in the heart of the city, this stunning aristocratic residence provides an exceptionally elegant and authentic Sicilian backdrop. It is the perfect prestigious setting to enjoy an unforgettable evening of fine dining, celebrate the day’s insights, and continue networking in an atmosphere of historic grandeur.
Let’s share great food, laughter, and community spirit together!
Date & Time:
30-09-2026 20:00
Location:
Palazzo Fatta
Piazza Marina 19
Palermo
Link to Google maps
Palermo stands as a historic cultural crossroads, having been deeply shaped over the centuries by Greek, Roman, Arab, Norman, and Spanish influences. This incredible diversity has left a permanent, fascinating mark on the city’s architecture, its everyday energy, and its world-renowned cuisine.
Experience the atmosphere of our upcoming INSIDE Connect in Palermo.
Stay Nearby with Exclusive Rates!
Palermo boasts a comprehensive and diverse range of accommodation options designed to suit various travel policies, stay patterns, and personal preferences. Whether you prefer the charm of the historic centre, the sweeping views along the seafront promenade, or the relaxed coastal atmosphere of the Mondello area, there is a perfect location for your stay. Delegates can easily choose from trusted international hotel brands, unique boutique properties infused with local character, and highly accessible budget options.
Below are our selected accommodation recommendations for attendees visiting the event. These hotels have been chosen to help make your stay more comfortable and convenient, with options suitable for different preferences and budgets. We encourage guests to review the available options and book early to secure their preferred accommodation during the event period.
Please, Our advise is to book your hotel asap
Moments from INSIDE Connect 2025
A glimpse of the previous event, where the community gathered in Málaga for two days of keynotes, workshops, showcases, and cultural activities focused on collaboration and digital innovation in Europe.
Be part of it: register now
