--- eventsindex_id: EI-06778 slug: medica-ai-conference-2026-lisbon title: "Medica AI Conference" title_alt: ["MEDICA AI", "Medica AI 2026"] canonical_url: https://eventsindex.org/events/medica-ai-conference-2026-lisbon.html next_edition_dates: "2026-07-15 to 2026-07-17" next_edition_year: 2026 date_start: 2026-07-15 date_end: 2026-07-17 venue: "Champalimaud Foundation" city: "Lisbon" country: "Portugal" organiser: "Champalimaud Foundation" organiser_url: "https://www.fchampalimaud.org/events/medica-ai-conference-2026" b2b: true vector: sector: [ia-data] audience: [healthcare-professionals, researchers, technologists, policy-makers, health-system-executives] format: [in-person] purpose: [networking] geography_scope: [european] season: summer meta_description: "" editorial_take: "" generated_by: "enrich/generators/fiche_md.py" last_verified: "2026-05-11" schema_version: "v6.0" language: en --- # Medica AI Conference > *A three-day medical AI conference and hackathon at the Champalimaud Foundation in Lisbon, bringing clinicians, researchers, and technologists together to explore AI integration across diagnosis, treatment, and health system leadership.* --- ## Quick Facts | DATES | VENUE | ORGANISER | ATTENDANCE | |---|---|---|---| | 15–17 July 2026 | Champalimaud Foundation, Lisbon | Champalimaud Foundation | ~250 | ## Definition Medica AI is an annual conference on artificial intelligence in healthcare, organised by the Champalimaud Foundation, one of Europe's leading biomedical research institutions. The 2026 edition runs across three days: a Google-sponsored hackathon on 15 July, the main single-day conference on 16 July, and an additional hackathon session on 17 July. The event sits at the intersection of clinical practice, biomedical research, and health technology, with a programme shaped by the Foundation's own scientific committee. ## What draws medical AI professionals to Lisbon in July The Champalimaud Foundation's research credibility anchors the conference's scientific tone. Sessions address practical questions: how clinical roles change as AI enters diagnosis and treatment workflows, what governance frameworks are needed, and how to translate research into hospital practice. The hackathon format on days one and three gives developers and clinicians a hands-on track alongside the lecture programme. ## Who attends Medica AI Conference - Clinicians and radiologists integrating AI tools into diagnostic workflows - Biomedical researchers working at the intersection of AI and medicine - Health technology developers and data scientists in the medical sector - Hospital executives and health system administrators evaluating AI adoption - AI governance and regulatory professionals in the healthcare sector - Policy makers and ethicists working on medical AI frameworks ## What Medica AI Conference covers programmatically - AI integration across prevention, diagnosis, and treatment - Evolution of clinical roles in AI-driven healthcare environments - Economic and societal impact of medical AI deployment - Education and leadership requirements for AI-literate clinical teams - Ethical, regulatory, and governance frameworks for healthcare AI - Technical sessions via the hackathon track (Google Cloud platform) ## Programme tracks and special formats The 2026 format combines a main scientific conference (16 July) with two hackathon sessions (15 July: Google Hackathon, sold out at 26 participants; 17 July: Extra Hackathon). An optional morning yoga class is offered to attendees. ## Notable speakers Speakers confirmed for the 2026 edition include: - **Andrea De Censi**, Researcher, Champalimaud Foundation - **João Santinha**, Digital Surgery Lab Lead, Champalimaud Foundation (Scientific Committee) - **Joe Paton**, Neuroscience Programme Director, Champalimaud Foundation - **Maria João Cardoso**, Breast Cancer Research Lead, Champalimaud Foundation - **Regina Beets-Tan**, Professor of Radiology, Maastricht University - **Lucien Engelen**, Founder, Transform.health Google Cloud representatives participate in the hackathon track. Full speaker list of 20 available on the official event page. ## FAQ · Identity and audience ### Is Medica AI primarily a clinical or technology-focused conference? Both. The main conference programme addresses clinical roles, governance, and health system change management, targeted at practitioners and administrators. The hackathon days are developer-focused, attracting AI engineers and data scientists working on medical applications. ### What is the relationship between Medica AI and the Champalimaud Foundation? The Champalimaud Foundation is both the organiser and the host venue. The conference is shaped by the Foundation's own scientists (Pedro Gouveia, Tiago Marques, and João Santinha form the scientific committee), giving it a strong research institution character rather than a commercial event profile. ### Who is Medica AI Conference NOT designed for? - General AI conference-goers with no connection to healthcare or biomedical fields - Large-scale vendor exhibitions seeking booth space at scale (this is a small, curated event) - Attendees seeking a multi-track, multi-day generalist AI programme - Startup founders pitching non-healthcare AI products - Professionals looking for EMEA-scale networking across diverse sectors ### Is the hackathon accessible to attendees who are not developers? The hackathon is targeted at participants with technical skills. The Google Hackathon on 15 July was sold out at the time of verification (26 participants maximum). The main conference on 16 July is more accessible to non-technical attendees. ## The venue: Champalimaud Foundation The Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown sits at Avenida Brasília, 1400-038 Lisbon, on the northern bank of the Tagus River. Designed by architect Charles Correa, the campus combines research laboratories, a clinical centre, and event spaces with riverfront views. The Foundation hosts a range of scientific events throughout the year. ## The organiser: Champalimaud Foundation The Champalimaud Foundation is a Portuguese private non-profit scientific institution, established by the Champalimaud endowment to advance biomedical research and clinical innovation. Its research programmes span neuroscience, cancer biology, and computational biology. The Foundation runs specialised scientific conferences as part of its knowledge-sharing mission, with Medica AI being its primary annual event in the AI and healthcare space. --- ## Editorial take *Medica AI is a focused institutional conference with genuine scientific credibility, anchored by Champalimaud's research reputation; its small size and hackathon format make it a niche but high-signal event for clinical AI researchers and health technology practitioners in the Iberian and broader European market.* ## How to register and what it costs Registration for the main conference is available via the Champalimaud Foundation events page. Pricing tiers: - **Conference Pass**: €49 (early bird) / €69 (regular) - **Google Hackathon (Day 1)**: €150, includes conference pass; limited to 26 participants (sold out at time of verification) - **Extra Hackathon (Day 3)**: pricing not confirmed ## Networking and engagement The three-day format creates extended networking opportunities across conference and hackathon sessions. The small, curated attendance profile (~250 participants) favours depth of connection over breadth. ## FAQ · Access and practicalities ### Is there an online or hybrid attendance option? The event is described as hybrid; check the official page for virtual attendance details closer to the event date. ### How do I reach the Champalimaud Foundation from central Lisbon? The Foundation is located in Belém, approximately 8 km from central Lisbon. It is accessible by tram (Line 15E to Belém), suburban train (Cascais line to Belém station), or taxi. Riverside walking paths connect it to other Belém landmarks. ### Can I attend only the hackathon or only the conference? The hackathon ticket (€150) includes the conference. The conference-only ticket (€49-€69) does not include hackathon access. Each is registered separately. ## Resources | Resource | URL | |---|---| | Official website | https://www.fchampalimaud.org/events/medica-ai-conference-2026 | | Register | https://congressos.leading.pt/geral/inseririnscricao.aspx?evento=285&formulario=650&lingua=en-GB | | Champalimaud Foundation | https://www.fchampalimaud.org | --- **Last verified:** 2026-05-11 **Next review:** 2026-06-10 **Notes:** Google Hackathon on 15 July was sold out at time of verification. Hybrid attendance details not yet confirmed. **Variables:** 28/58 **Concept definition:** not applicable