The sold-out AI event will bring together 11,000+ global researchers, business leaders, students, founders, and policy makers across all core programming.

Amii is preparing for its most ambitious Upper Bound yet. With over 11,000 attendees expected in Edmonton from May 19–22, the event has far exceeded initial projections, representing a 53% year-over-year surge. This includes previously announced sold-out event passes, a growing roster of community-led events, and K-9 school takeovers.

This unprecedented demand further cements Amii’s position as a central pillar in Canada’s AI ecosystem, bringing together a diverse community of researchers, industry leaders, startups, and educators aligned in a shared vision for an optimistic AI future.

Amii’s unwavering commitment to world-class quality—across our speakers, sessions, and production—is what makes this an event people prioritize. Beyond offering a front-row seat to world-leading ideas, Upper Bound has become a pivotal hub where ideas are sparked, projects are launched, and vital connections are forged.

Joan Hertz

Amii Board Chair

Quote from Joan Hertz, Amii Board Chair

"In five years, Upper Bound has become Canada’s fastest-growing premier AI conference, as evidenced by the surging demand for this year’s event. Amii’s unwavering commitment to world-class quality—across our speakers, sessions, and production—is what makes this an event people prioritize. Beyond offering a front-row seat to world-leading ideas, Upper Bound has become a pivotal hub where ideas are sparked, projects are launched, and vital connections are forged.”

A Unique Immersive Experience

Building on a reputation for high-calibre production and its signature immersive audio delivery, the event offers sessions across a spectrum of technical depths, ensuring the presentations remain inclusive.

The headphone system—an Upper Bound staple since 2023—is essential to the event's accessibility. By allowing attendees to toggle between conference themes and control their individual sensory environment, Amii ensures the content remains accessible regardless of an attendee's technical proficiency. With 11,000 guests, 200 sessions, and 250 speakers slated for Upper Bound, deploying this technology at scale is a massive logistical feat that requires an all-hands effort from the Amii team, volunteers, and its production partner, Encore.

Quote from Ben Edwards, Account Manager, Encore:

“AI has experienced remarkable growth in recent years, and Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (Amii) continues to be a leader in the field. Their Upperbound Conference has quickly become one of the fastest-growing conferences in the country and a marquee event for the global AI community. Encore Global has been proud to support its evolution, from a modest gathering five years ago to the premier event it is today. Delivering an event of this scale requires managing a uniquely complex environment, with multiple unique and creative stages, advanced technical integrations, and a diverse lineup of speakers and programming.”

Upper Bound 2026

Bound to Inspire

Celebrating its fifth year, Upper Bound 2026 welcomes the Honourable Evan Solomon, Federal Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario; the Honourable Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience; the Honourable Nate Glubish, Minister of Technology and Innovation, Government of Alberta; and the Honourable Myles McDougall, Minister of Advanced Education. Alongside distinguished guests from research, government, and industry, they will help bring essential AI topics to the forefront of this diverse audience.

The 2026 program also features on-stage insights and representation from global industry leaders, including: Google, Anthropic, Meta, Sony AI, Electronic Arts, Mozilla and more.