The Web Summit Qatar 2026 officially kicked off at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC) on Sunday, marking its status as the Middle East’s largest technology gathering to date.

In an inspiring opening speech, Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani said Web Summit Qatar had grown exponentially in a short time.

“In only two years, Web Summit Qatar has become a reference point for the tech community around the world, driving conversations, partnerships, and investment priorities for the year ahead,” he said.

The top official pointed out how artificial intelligence and research about it were taking the world by storm.

“The momentum for Ai around the world is extraordinary. Global R&D spending is nearing almost $3 trillion a year. In 2024, AI start-ups captured about a third of global venture capital Dollars,” he said.

“Today, nearly six billion people are online, about 1.2 billion of them between the ages of 15 and 24, building, coding, and finding what comes next,” he added.

He also spoke about how Qatar was jumping into the AI bandwagon in a very significant way.

“With the expected pace of what’s next, Qatar recently created Qai, a national artificial intelligence company. It’ll deliver software infrastructure and systems that’ll secure our AI capabilities and even power yours,” he said.

Web Summit CEO and Founder Paddy Cosgrave kicked off Web Summit Qatar 2026 with an opening address. Some top tech founders and officials are also slated to speak on the opening day, including Amino Capital founder Larry Li, Elevnlabs co-founder Mati Staniszewski, Upscrolled CEO Issam Hejazi, and pro-wrestler and investor entrepreneur Logan Paul.

The event, being held from February 1 to 4, will gather more than 30,000 participants, including 1600 start-ups, 900 investors, founders, policymakers, creators, and technologists, from over 120 countries.

The main stage programmes will feature a heavyweight line-up of speakers. In addition to the Qatari Prime Minister, HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, and H E Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums, are also expected to feature on subsequent days.

Sessions will span artificial intelligence ethics, digital creativity, startup culture, social impact, and the future of media.

The exhibition floor, which sold out earlier in the year, features leading global and regional brands across technology, aviation, finance, and telecommunications, including IBM, Microsoft, Huawei, and Qatar Airways.

Organisers said the presence of 900 investors reflected growing confidence in Qatar’s emergence as a global hub for technology, entrepreneurship, and capital flows.

The summit’s impact extends beyond the conference centre. Last year’s Web Summit Qatar generated an estimated QR807m in economic returns, with visitor spending accounting for more than 66,000 hotel nights and 19,000 airline bookings, according to consulting firm Silverlode.

With this year’s full sell-out and expanded international participation, officials expect an even greater contribution to Doha’s hospitality, aviation, and investment sectors.

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