Venue

Conference Location

AIIDE 2026 will be hosted at the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Most events will take place in the Center for Didactic Activities 3 (CAD 3) - Auditorium 106 with coffee breaks in the connected lounge. 

UFMG is one of Brazil's top research universities and Minas Gerais's flagship institution. It has been a key driver of Minas Gerais innovation ecosystem, providing talent and research that have seeded both major companies and successful startups. Notable examples include Akwan, a UFMG spin-off whose success led to Google establishing offices in the city, and Kunumi, an AI-focused startup founded by UFMG alumni and recently acquired by one of Brazil’s largest banks. The university also hosts BH-TEC (Belo Horizonte Technology Park), an innovation hub that brings together technology-based companies, R&D centers, and university spin-offs.

UFMG is embedded in the Pampulha district’s cultural corridor, being very convenient to visit nearby cultural landmarks, such as the Pampulha Modern Ensemble (see more below). Moreover, UFMG is at walking distance to Mineirão stadium, which hosted 2014 FIFA World Cup matches, and still hosts national league matches.

About the City

Belo Horizonte (BH, pronounced beh-ah-gah), often referred to as San Pedro Valley in reference to Silicon Valley, hosts major technology companies such as Google, Amazon, and Thoughtworks, and is widely recognized as a national hub for technology and innovation. 

Belo Horizonte is the capital city of Minas Gerais and is known for its rich cultural life, modernist architecture, and surrounding mountain landscapes. The city offers a vibrant arts and music scene, a strong culinary tradition recognized nationwide, and a lively urban atmosphere shaped by its public squares and markets. Notable attractions include the Pampulha Modern Ensemble, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Inhotim Museum, and the historic neighborhoods of Savassi and Santa Tereza, which reflect the city’s creative and bohemian character.

Culturally, BH made significant musical contributions. It is the birthplace of major artists and influential musical movements, such as Clube da Esquina, which fused traditional Brazilian sounds with jazz, classical, and psychedelic rock resulting in a distinctive style that resonated globally. It is also the birthplace of the influential extreme metal bands Sarcófago and Sepultura.

Diversity and Inclusion

UFMG and the city of Belo Horizonte are committed to diversity, inclusion, and respect. All attendees are warmly welcomed, including LGBTI+ participants, people with disabilities, and others who may have concerns about accessibility, safety, or representation. The university strives to provide an inclusive and supportive environment in which all participants can fully engage and feel encouraged to attend AIIDE 2026.