This year marked my second time at the Web Summit, and it was even bigger and better than before. With over 71,000 attendees, it was packed, exciting, and full of opportunities to learn and connect.
Key Highlights
According to Web Summit stats:
- 71,528 attendees from 153 countries (42% were women).
- 3,050 companies exhibited, with AI leading the way.
- Diversity: 44% of startups were women-founded.
- Big brands involved: IBM, Meta, SAP, VISA, and others.
- Global reach: 62 delegations from 36 countries.
- Opening Night: Pharrell Williams spoke about how commerce connects with music and fashion.
How It Was Organized
This year, the structure of the summit felt much more organized:
- More Focused Stages: Summits like the AI Summit, Marketing Summit, Creative Summit, and SaaS Summit helped attendees focus on the areas they were most interested in.
- Easier Navigation: As you can see below, the Web Summit app’s structure allowed you to directly choose the stage related to the topic you were interested in.

Focus on Human Connection
A big part of this year’s event was about meeting and connecting with people:
- Meet-ups were organized, such as the Content Creators Meetup and CEO Meetup, where people could share ideas and learn from each other. These gatherings often turned into smaller groups where discussions, knowledge exchange, and even partnerships took shape. In an AI-driven era, these face-to-face connections felt especially valuable. Socializing at the Night Summit was arranged into categories, helping everyone find their perfect group.
One thing I missed at this year’s Web Summit was the stronger focus on women in tech. Last year, there was a dedicated corner with constant coffee and small bites, creating a welcoming space for women to connect and network. It was always lively, with happy hour standing out as a particularly popular and well-attended moment.
This year, there was still a space dedicated to women in tech, but it felt less central and somewhat out of sight. The vibrant energy that made it so special in the past seemed to be missing, and there were fewer opportunities for spontaneous conversations or meaningful meetups. For women attending the conference, these spaces can be so much more than just a place to network—they create a sense of community, a safe and inspiring environment where ideas can be shared, and connections can grow. It’s a part of the event that I truly missed this year.


What’s New with AI?
Last year, everyone was excited about AI as something new. This year, the focus shifted to how AI is being used in real life:
- This year’s talks focused on how AI is changing industries and the practical ways it’s being used in everyday operations. Speakers shared real-life examples of how businesses are keeping up with AI’s rapid development and using it to solve challenges and improve results.
- The AI Stage was the main place for these discussions, bringing together professionals and experts from many fields. They talked about how AI is being used to make processes simpler, tackle problems, and open up new opportunities. From healthcare to marketing and finance to entertainment, the sessions gave a clear view of how AI is becoming a bigger part of our work and daily lives.
- Mental Health & Sports: AI’s influence has reached even the world of sports, where its role in supporting athletes’ mental health is becoming increasingly important. During the talks, speakers highlighted how AI tools and technologies are being used to monitor, analyze, and improve the mental well-being of athletes. From tracking stress levels to providing personalized support, AI is helping athletes manage the mental pressures of competition, training, and recovery. These discussions showcased the growing recognition of mental health in sports and how technology is offering new ways to address these challenges effectively.
One major highlight was the discussion about the partnership between Ferrari and IBM. It drew a large crowd, with many talking about how this collaboration is set to revolutionize the industry.
Fans are always eager to stay ahead of the curve, whether it’s predicting race outcomes, understanding performance trends, or catching up on moments they missed. AI is transforming how these insights are delivered, providing accurate predictions and seamless access to key highlights, keeping fans more informed and engaged than ever before.
At Web Summit, Ferrari and IBM showcased how their partnership is revolutionizing the Formula 1 fan experience. By harnessing AI and hybrid cloud technology, they’re turning data into personalized content and innovative features that captivate over 12 million Ferrari fans globally, blending tradition with cutting-edge innovation.
The Startup Scene
Startups were a huge part of Web Summit this year:
- Many focused-on marketing, AI, and social media.
- Young entrepreneurs came to showcase their products, meet investors, and connect with people from all over the world.
- I spoke with a few founders to learn about their challenges and goals. For many of them, Web Summit was the perfect way to share their ideas.
Some startups I found particularly interesting were heavily focused on influencer marketing, highlighting its potential as the future of advertising. These platforms are bridging the gap between influencers and brands, creating seamless connections to promote products in a more authentic and impactful way. This approach not only strengthens brand visibility but also leverages the trust influencers have built with their audiences, making it a powerful tool for modern marketing strategies.



Takeaways: What I Learned
- AI is Everywhere: It’s no longer optional—it needs to be part of our work and projects.
- Criticism is Power: The ability to receive and give criticism is a true strength—it drives growth, sparks innovation, and builds resilience.
- Give Back to Society: If you don’t give back to society, it’s not real innovation.
- TikTok’s Power: TikTok is bigger than many realize. A single review there can be more impactful than a big marketing campaign. Brands need to embrace all social platforms, even if they’re not ready.
- The Future of Beauty: The beauty industry is becoming smarter, more personalized, and more human.
- Gen Z Trusts Creators: Content creators are the go-to sources for younger audiences, making them essential for brands.
- Data’s Role: Data can show what’s happening but not always why. It’s a tool to shape every part of the customer’s journey.
- Data Explosion: The amount of data is expected to grow 10x from 2020 to 2030, reaching 660 zettabytes—that’s like 610 iPhones (128 GB) per person!
- Consumer Journey Influence: Its strength lies in adapting to and shaping every stage of the consumer journey, making it an indispensable tool for impactful engagement.
- Brands need to genuinely align with societal values, prioritizing inclusivity, sustainability, and creating meaningful impact.
Many wonder if attending Web Summit is worth it, and I’d confidently say it is. It’s more than just an event—it’s a melting pot of innovation, where people from the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia come together, united by a shared passion for technology. The energy is contagious, the conversations are inspiring, and the connections made can last a lifetime. If you’re part of the tech world, it’s a journey worth taking—a place where ideas flourish, networks grow, and perspectives are forever changed.