Joint us on 6 October 2026 for a R&I conference to explore current trends in the Applied AI in Business and Education: Research, Innovation, and Responsibility. Artificial Intelligence is rapidly reshaping both business practices and educational systems, from decision-making and process automation to teaching, learning, and assessment. The conference focuses on research-based, practice-oriented AI applications that create value in business and higher education while addressing sustainable, social, and organizational implications. Particular attention is given to the translation of research into practice, including experimentation, pilots, and collaboration with external partners. This R&I conference brings together researchers, educators, innovation actors, doctoral students, and external partners to explore how AI is applied in real-world business and educational contexts, and how research-driven innovation can be developed and implemented collaboratively across the Ulysseus alliance.

The conference will play a vital role in strengthening research networks, supporting innovation-driven territorial transformation, and showcasing Ulysseus as a driver of excellence in European R&I cooperation. 

Researchers, innovators, start-ups, students and regional stakeholders will have an excellent opportunity to exchange ideas, showcase results and forge new partnerships in three thematic tracks:

Whether you are advancing cutting-edge science, scaling a breakthrough solution or seeking the next collaborative opportunity, Ulysseus R&I Conference 2026 will offer the platform to connect, learn and co-create a sustainable, digitally empowered future.

Event Highlights

The conference addresses how applied AI can:

• provide inspirational keynote talks;
• address the current challenges on how applied AI can support innovation (in business models, processes, and decision-making), enhance teaching, learning, and assessment (in higher education) and be developed and implemented in responsible, human-centred ways;
• give a platform for joint Ulysseus R&I groups in the conference’ topics to showcase the joint R&I activities they conducted within the Ulysseus European University.
• encourage students and young researchers to present and discuss their research in an open, supportive setting, direct exchange with senior researchers, practitioners, and innovation actors and access to networking and matchmaking sessions aimed at fostering cross-institutional and interdisciplinary cooperation within Ulysseus European University.

The conference will be back-to-back followed up by the presentation of the Ulysseus Innovation Hub of Applied AI for Business and Education (7-8 October) which will showcase the activities of the Haaga-Helia’s innovation Hub. It will include presentations of ongoing European R&I activities, applied AI initiatives, and living lab and incubator activities, while creating opportunities for networking, interdisciplinary exchange, matchmaking, and future collaboration within the Ulysseus European University alliance and wider innovation ecosystem.

Conference Background and Tracks

Ulysseus European University aims to foster joint research and innovation activities across the alliance by creating an integrated and inclusive innovation ecosystem rooted in its nine Ulysseus Innovation Hubs.

One of the key instruments supporting this goal is the organization of regular Ulysseus Research & Innovation (R&I) Conferences. These conferences serve as a dynamic platform for knowledge exchange and community building—bringing together researchers, innovators, start-ups, students, and regional stakeholders to present results, share expertise, and explore collaborative opportunities. With a focus on applied research, young researchers, and talent matchmaking, the conferences play a vital role in strengthening internal networks, supporting innovation-driven territorial transformation, and showcasing Ulysseus as a driver of excellence in European R&I cooperation.

After successful previous edition in Münster, Germany (2024), Košice, Slovakia (2025), this year conference will be hosted by the Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences in Helsinki, Finland, encourages researchers, innovators, startups and young researchers to converge and share insights under three focused tracks:

Track 1: Applied Artificial Intelligence in Business

Artificial Intelligence is rapidly transforming business models, value chains, and decision-making processes across industries. This session explores practical applications of AI in business contexts, focusing on real-world use cases, innovation processes, and the organisational transformations required for successful adoption. Contributions may address topics such as:

• AI-driven product and service innovation,
• Data-enabled business models,
• Process automation,
• Human-AI collaboration,
• Change management strategies.

The session also welcomes perspectives on barriers to implementation, skills requirements, governance structures, and the role of leadership in AI transformation. The aim is to foster dialogue between researchers, practitioners, and policymakers on how organisations can responsibly leverage AI for competitiveness, resilience, and sustainable growth.

Track 2: Artificial Intelligence in Education

AI technologies are reshaping teaching, learning, and assessment in higher education. This session focuses on how AI can be integrated into educational practice, both as a subject of learning and as a tool that supports teaching and institutional development.

We invite contributions on:

• AI-supported pedagogies,
• Generative AI in the classroom,
• Learning analytics for student success,
• New assessment formats in the age of AI,
• Strategies for academic integrity.

The session also highlights faculty development, digital competencies, and institutional policies needed to navigate AI-driven change in education.

By bringing together educators, researchers, and educational developers, the session aims to explore how AI can enhance learning experiences while preserving critical thinking, creativity, and ethical awareness.

Track 3: Sustainability, Responsibility, and Trust

As AI systems become embedded in societal infrastructures, questions of responsibility, fairness, and trust are increasingly urgent. This session examines the ethical, social, and sustainability dimensions of AI deployment.

Topics include:

• Algorithmic bias and discrimination,
• Transparency and explainability,
• Accountability frameworks,
• Environmental impacts of AI,
• Regulatory developments,
• Public trust.

Contributions may also address participatory approaches, inclusive design, and the role of universities in shaping responsible AI innovation. The session seeks to advance interdisciplinary perspectives on how AI can be developed and governed in ways that align with democratic values, social justice, and long-term sustainability.

Show-casing Joint Ulysseus R&I Groups

The conference also encourages young researchers to present their research and give a platform for joint Ulysseus R&I groups in the conference’ topics to showcase the joint R&I activities they conducted within the Ulysseus European University.

Thanks to the Ulysseus Seed Funding Programme for Joint R&I Groups 42 joint groups were supported in 2025, mobilising 288 researchers, engaging associated partners, and reinforcing long-term European collaboration across partner universities. For more information about the programme, please visit the Ulysseus website.

During the conference will space for our R&I groups in the interactive formats encouraged: case discussions, short presentations, or panels discussion.

Opportunity for Students and Young Researchers

A dedicated young talent perspective is an integral part of the conference and aligns with the Ulysseus’ goals. Doctoral students and early-career researchers working on applied AI in business, education, or related fields are explicitly invited to participate.

The conference offers bachelor, master, doctoral students and post-docs:

• opportunities to present and discuss ongoing bachelor, master and PhD projects in an open, supportive setting,
• direct exchange with senior researchers, practitioners, and innovation actors,
• access to networking and matchmaking sessions aimed at fostering cross-institutional and interdisciplinary cooperation within Ulysseus European University.

Your Contribution to the Program

We encourage researchers, innovators, start-ups and partners to participate in the programme in several ways:

• oral presentation in any parallel plenary session,
• oral presentation in a technical session,
• presentation in a poster session.

The Call for Abstracts is open until 15 June 2026.

If you have suggestions for potential researchers, innovators or start-ups who might be relevant to the conference, please reach out to us.

Registration

Registration for participation open: 15 August 2026 – 30 September 2026

Please, check the Conference page for more updates.

Event Organiser and Venue

The event is organised by the Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences in Finland, as an activity of Ulysseus European University, to be followed by a two-day presentation of Haaga-Helia’s Ulysseus Innovation Hub of Applied AI in Business and Education on 7-8 October 2026. Both events will be a part of the Ulysseus Helsinki Week.

Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences, established in 1991, is one of Finland’s leading practice-oriented higher education institutions, known for its strong business focus and close ties to industry. It is a community of 11,000 students, 700 specialists, and 49,000 alumni, and operates on five campuses in Helsinki, Porvoo, and Vierumäki. It offers bachelor’s and master’s degree studies in business, information technology, hospitality and restaurant management, sports management, and related fields. 

The university emphasizes cooperation, entrepreneurship, innovation, and internationality, and its education is closely connected to research, development, and innovation activities that support companies and working life.

The conference will be held at Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences Pasila Campus.

Ulysseus Helsinki Week

Running 6-8 October 2026 at Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences, Ulysseus Helsinki Week is positioned as one of the alliance’s flagship events, uniting a series of activities within a coordinated programme.

The week will engage the wider community through two headline public events:

• the Ulysseus R&I Conference on applied AI in business and education: Research, Innovation, and Responsibility (6 October),
• and the presentation of the Ulysseus Innovation Hub of Applied AI for Business and Education (7-8 October) which will showcase the activities of the Haaga-Helia’s innovation Hub. It will include presentations of ongoing European R&I activities, applied AI initiatives, and living lab and incubator activities, while creating opportunities for networking, interdisciplinary exchange, matchmaking, and future collaboration within the Ulysseus European University alliance and wider innovation ecosystem.

By convening outward-facing forums and collaborative activities on applied artificial intelligence in business and education, alongside sustainability, responsibility and trust, Ulysseus Helsinki Week will bring together a range of activities within a coordinated programme, showcasing Ulysseus research, innovation and civic engagement across Europe.

More information about Ulysseus Helsinki Week: soon to come.