WSA Global Congress in Vienna
Scaling Digital Solutions: For People & Planet
May 19-22 | Vienna, Austria
After some years of globe-trotting from Chile to India, the WSA Global Congress is coming home again - to Vienna! From May 20–22, 2026, Vienna’s UNESCO-charmed streets will buzz with creative minds, digital dreamers, and innovators who make real impact. Expect to make valuable connections, learn new perspectives, and to plug in to a community that believes tech can bring about positive change.
Five tech giants shouldn’t define our digital lives, own our data and choices. It’s time to pause, reflect and reset.
The WSA Global Congress 2026 is where these conversations happen: a global gathering of innovators, founders, activists, and changemakers sharing best practices of what technology can be: human centered, ethical, inclusive, and fair. In a world driven by profit, scale, and data, the Congress invites you to focus on digital beyond harm.
From impact entrepreneurship to equity by design, digital governance, and feminist perspectives, let’s meet in Vienna to explore what it means to create with purpose and diverse perspectives. Grassroots projects tackling climate change, digital tools amplifying democracy, and youth-led initiatives all come together — sparking dialogue, connection, and new action.
Connecting all of that with the agenda 2030 and an ongoing cooperation with the UN, the WSA Global Congress connects digital innovation directly to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, turning mindful ideas into measurable global impact.
We don't know who will be there yet, but we know you're not going to want to miss it!
Topics
Digital Sovereignty vs. AI | Control, Choice, Community
AI is shaping how we work, learn, and promises great solutions. But digital sovereignty is slipping: control sits far from the people affected, and systems built without transparency or diversity restrict our choices and weaken trust. Let’s discuss what could change when communities reclaim agency over their data, tools, and decisions and how AI can be built with accountability, equity, and shared governance at the core.
Global Impact Solutions | Built for Real Needs
Impact startups are building the solutions we urgently need - tackling climate, inclusion, education, and health - but often struggle to gain funding and support in systems copying Silicon Valley standards. Let’s share best practices how to level the playing field and support founders and their ventures built for real need. Let’s learn how about their value for communities, not just shareholders, and ensure the digital economy serves everyone.
Building Digital Public Goods | Meeting Community Demands
Digital public infrastructure provides access to services, opportunities and participation, however yet many communities, especially in rural or marginalized areas, remain excluded. When essential tools are privately owned or unevenly deployed, digital divides deepen. Let’s hear global perspectives how we build shared digital foundations that are open, inclusive, ensuring everyone can benefit from and contribute to the digital future.
Agenda
Day 1 - Connect
On Tuesday, May 19 the delegates will arrive in Vienna. They will be given a chance to settle in, and to get to know each other. There will be a briefing, welcome sessions, pitch coaching, and general good vibes at the Hotel Superbude Responder.
Day 2 - Global Impact
On Wednesday, May 20 the attendees will travel by bus to the Wertheim. This is the venue where the bulk of the Global Congress will take place. Attendees will have a chance to see a series of shot talks, roundtable discussions and fishbowl sessions where WSA thought leaders will discuss the importance of AI, impact entrepreneurship and ecosystem building.
This is also the day where the winners in the categories of Learning & Education, Government & Citizen Engagement, Health & Wellbeing, and Environment & Green Energy will be making their pitches to a room full of regulators, entrepreneurs and investors, offering them a chance to scale their network and visibility.
Day 3 - Built for Real Needs
Thursday, May 21 will also take place primarily in the Wertheim. It will also feature some talks, but will start to transition into more hands on activities and peer to peer exchanges. It will also be the day where the winners in the categories of Culture & Heritage, Smart Settlements & Urbanization, Business & Commerce, and Inclusion & Empowerment will be making their pitches.
Day 4 - Work Hard, Play Hard!
Friday, May 22nd will start off with some special guests from UNIDO. This will be followed by some workshops before it's time to leave the laptops and thinking caps aside for the Award Ceremony and Gala. The winners will be presented with their awards, the Global Champions will be announced, and then the impact entrepreneurs will move off the stage to make way for the DJ!
WSA is not only known for excellent thought leadership and networking opportunities - it's also known for great parties!
Why Vienna?
From May 20–22, 2026, Vienna will prove that Digital without Harm is possible, welcoming 500+ changemakers from 90+ countries.
Renowned for its commitment to digital humanism, the city offers the perfect backdrop to explore how technology can be ethical, inclusive, and human-centered. Set within ViennaUP, Central Europe’s largest startup and innovation festival, participants will have access to a wide range of events, gatherings, and networking opportunities, connecting with innovators, policymakers, and impact-driven founders from around the world.
Vienna is consistently ranked one of the most livable cities in the world, with excellent public transport, vibrant culture, historic architecture, and world-class food and coffee — the congress is the perfect occasion to finally (re)visit this city.
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