Galway to host international conference on language diversity and technology as part of Ireland's EU Council Presidency

Comhdháil Idirnáisiúnta ar Éagsúlacht Teanga agus Teicneolaíocht

Leading voices from industry, academia and government to gather in Galway to explore the future of language diversity in the age of artificial intelligence

Galway will host the International Conference on Language Diversity and Technology on 5–6 November 2026 at Dexcom Stadium. It is the first European conference dedicated to language diversity and AI, and takes place as an Associated Event within Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union, which runs from 1 July to 31 December 2026. The event is also envisaged as the first in a proposed series of conferences ón this topic to be held across future Presidencies of the Council of the EU.

Global languages face a precarious future in the digital age, and the conference builds on the AI and Minority Languages Summit held earlier this year in San Francisco, which brought together voices from industry, academia and government to examine the opportunities and risks AI poses for minority and indigenous languages. November’s event will develop those conversations further over two days, under the theme “The Future of Language Technologies in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.”

Confirmed speakers include Professor Thomas Mullaney, historian of language technology at Stanford University, who will address what he describes as a “21st century Ark” , the question of which of the world’s languages will, and will not, survive the age of AI.

Speakers will address the wider context of AI development, noting that questions of language, culture and politics sit alongside the technology itself, and will consider the European Union’s role in fostering more collaborative, representative AI development that works for the people who use it.

Further confirmed speakers will be announced in the coming weeks, alongside additional names from across industry and academia. The programme will feature keynote addresses, panel discussions and workshops covering AI-driven language technology, digital tools and the role of language data in machine learning.

The conference is expected to attract over 200 delegates from 20 (TBC) countries, including representatives from the European Commission, embassies, national language bodies, universities and technology companies working at the intersection of AI and linguistics.

Speaking ahead of the conference, Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, said:

“Languages are not simply systems of communication, they carry identity, heritage, memory and worldview, and that is as true for Irish as it is for any of the world’s languages. As artificial intelligence reshapes how we communicate, it is vital that this technology works in support of linguistic diversity rather than at its expense. This conference will bring together voices from across Ireland, Europe and further afield, reflecting the truly global nature of this challenge, to chart a path forward that protects and promotes language diversity in the age of AI.”

Tomás Ó Siocháin CEO of Údarás na Gaeltachta, added:

“This conference gives us a valuable opportunity, during Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union, to shine a light on the key challenges ahead for Irish and other languages. It’s a question of real importance for Europe as a whole , ensuring that Ireland’s and Europe’s ancient culture, isn’t sidelined by the new technological age but placed at its very heart. Údarás na Gaeltachta is proud to see this conversation happening now, and we hope it will keep language diversity firmly on Europe’s agenda for years to come.”

Brian Davis, Associate Professor, ADAPT Centre, Dublin City University (DCU) added:

“ADAPT are delighted to bring the European language technology community to Galway, furthering our commitment to making the Irish language digital- and AI-ready.  This event will provide opportunities to further strengthen Ireland’s prominent role in the and the European Language Data Space and Alliance for Language Technologies (ALT-EDIC) its mission to boost AI sovereignty and uphold linguistic diversity and cultural richness in Europe.”

Further details and registration information are available at languagediversity.ie.