The WMF – We Make Future returns to Silicon Valley with the second edition of AI For Futurescheduled for November 5, 2026 in San Francisco (CA), at Mind The Bridge. The event will bring together Artificial Intelligence experts, investors, venture capitalists, startups, companies and institutional representatives, strengthening the connection between the innovation ecosystems of United States, Europe and Italy.
AI For Future is part of the WMF International Roadshowthe project through which the WMF has been developing international initiatives since 2021 relate markets, skills and innovation systemsencouraging collaborations between startups, companies, investors and institutions.
After the first edition of AI For Future, the WMF therefore consolidates its presence in Silicon Valley and continues the work of connecting theUS technological ecosystem and the Italian and European onebringing once again to San Francisco a moment of discussion dedicated to the transformations generated by Artificial Intelligence and the opportunities for collaboration, investment and development that derive from it.
The event is organized by WMF and Search On Media Group with the support of ICE – Agency for the promotion abroad and the internationalization of Italian companies and of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI). Among the 2026 Partners also San Marino Innovation, Durana Tech Park, POLIMI School of Management and Digital Innovation Observatories of the Polytechnic of Milan.
«Returning to Silicon Valley with AI For Future means giving continuity to a work that the WMF has been carrying out for years: connecting ecosystems, skills and markets and transforming international dialogue into concrete opportunities for collaboration, investment and development»explains Cosmano Lombardo, Founder and CEO of Search On Media Group and creator of the WMF. «The International Roadshow was created precisely with this objective: to create bridges between startups, businesses, investors, research and institutions and to encourage true innovation diplomacy. In a phase in which Artificial Intelligence is redefining production systems, markets and society, strengthening the connection between the United States, Italy and Europe means creating the conditions so that technologies, talents and planning can meet and generate new value and impact.»
The program of November 5 will be entirely dedicated to Artificial Intelligence and its applications and will offer talks with AI experts, moments of discussion on technological developments e panels dedicated to the world of investments and venture capitalwith particular attention to the dynamics and opportunities that are characterizing the US and European markets.
Between the first speakers and guests announced for the second edition also Leonardo Nasi, Vice Consul – Economic Attaché at the Consulate General of Italy in San Francisco; Josaphat Riganò, Trade Commissioner to the US at ITA – Italian Trade Agency; Alberto Acito, Managing Director at INNOVIT; Alicia Hanf, Head of Institutional Ecosystem Partnerships, LG NOVA – LG Electronics; Tejas Chopra, CEO and Co-founder of Headroom Labs; Angelo Del Prior, Founding Partner at HP Tech Ventures; Jeffrey Abbott, Co-Founder and Partner Emeritus of Blitzscaling Ventures; Paolo Dello Vicario, Co-Founder, CIO & Head of Data Monetization of Datrix Group; Alessandro Piva, Director of the European Digital Tech Watch (EDTW) at the Polytechnic University of Milan; Chloe Jones, Business Development Expert at Durana Tech Park; And Jazz Samra, North American Commercialization and Business Development at Nium.
The jury of the AI 4 Future Startup Competition will instead see involved Alicia Hanf, Nicolas Rossini, Head of Innovation at San Marino Innovation; Tejas Chopra; Jerry Kaplan, Entrepreneur and Expert in Artificial Intelligence; Angelo Del Prior; Jeffrey Abbott And Joya Scarlata, Marketing Director at InterraIT. The program is updated and new speakers, investors and guests will be announced in the coming days.
Central space of the day will also be reserved for AI 4 Future Startup Competitionwhich will lead to San Francisco 12 projects selected from the United States, Italy and Europe.
The startups will present their solutions in front of investors, venture capitalists and international stakeholders, showing applications of Artificial Intelligence developed within some of the 14 strategic sectors on which the WMF is structuredincluding IndustryTech & Robotics, Health & Life Sciences, CleanTech & Energyas well as other areas affected by technological transformation and the application of AI.
The Startup Competition will thus represent a further point of connection between the different ecosystems involved, offering the selected projects the opportunity to directly deal with the Silicon Valley market and with stakeholders from the European and US innovation systems. The call also opens access to a broader international path of opportunities promoted by the WMF ecosystem, which will be able to bring selected innovative startups and SMEs to participate in further opportunities for visibility, pitches, B2B meetings and networking with investors, corporates and international stakeholders, including AI Festival 2027 in Milan, WMF – We Make Future 2027 at BolognaFiere and Saudi Makes Future 2027 in Riyadh.
With the second edition of AI For Future, the WMF thus consolidates its presence in Silicon Valley and continues the international path aimed at connecting innovation, capital, businesses, startups and institutions between the United States, Italy and Europe.