The World Future Technology Development Summit 2026 (WFT), a key supporting event of London Tech Week, recently taken place at the Royal Engineering Hall of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) on the banks of the River Thames in London.
The summit was guided by the vision of Peter Nobel, Chairman of the Nobel Sustainability Trust, and the principles of “AI for Good, Innovation for Good, Capital for Good, and Shaping the Future with Love” promoted by Benjamin Fok Chun-yue, Permanent Director of the Fok Ying Tung Foundation and Honorary Chairman of the IPEF International Private Equity Forum, the GAiS Global AI Summit, and WFT.
More than 300 delegates attended, representing government, industry, academia, research, and investment sectors.
Discussions focused on developments in artificial intelligence, robotics, advanced manufacturing, commercial aerospace, and life sciences, with an emphasis on international collaboration and long-term technological development.
The summit established an international platform for cross-border cooperation, industrial integration, and multi-sector dialogue, delivering a range of substantive outcomes and reinforcing global collaboration in emerging technologies.
The event was co-hosted by the World Future Technology Development Federation (WFT), the UK’s 48 Group Club, and the IPEF International Private Equity Forum & GAiS Global AI Summit. It was organised by the International Youth Innovation Conference (YSS), with support from the National Advertising Research Institute and the International Green Future Alliance (IGFA) as co-organising partners.
iFlytek served as Official Technology Partner, providing technical support. Nouvelles d’Europe and Phoenix North America acted as official media partners, while London & Partners, the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), and other leading organisations provided additional support. It featured three core programmes: the Opening Plenary Session, the Intelligent Manufacturing and Sustainable Technology Development Forum, and the Technology Finance Forum.
Through this multi-dimensional programme structure, the summit created a comprehensive platform connecting technology, industry, and finance across borders. A series of flagship activities were also held, including the launch of the WFT Think Tank, the establishment of the GAAI Alliance, the release of the AI Brand Asset White Paper, technology innovation awards, the signing of a Going-Global Technology Framework Agreement, high-level roundtable dialogues, cross-border business matchmaking sessions, corporate visits, and a gala dinner at the Houses of Parliament.
The Opening Plenary Session brought together senior policymakers, academics, industry leaders, and investors, reflecting the summit’s international influences
Keynote speakers included Ben Houchen, Mayor of the Tees Valley Combined Authority; Baroness Manzila Uddin of the UK House of Lords; Benjamin Fok Chun-yue; Peter Nobel; Yu Xiong, Chairman of WFT and Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences (UK); Mark Ma, Founding Chairman of WFT and Executive Chairman of YSS; Jing Li; Zheng Wei; Jie Thomas Yang; and Jack Perry, Chairman of the UK 48 Group Club.
Other speakers included Patrick Parsons; Paul Scully, former UK Minister for Technology and the Digital Economy; Rohitha Bogollagama, former Foreign Minister and Ambassador of Sri Lanka; Xiaolan Fu of the University of Oxford; Neil Brigden of London & Partners; and Toni Allen of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).
At the Intelligent Manufacturing and Sustainable Technology Development Forum, international experts shared insights on industrial transformation and emerging technologies.
Suresh Yadav of the Commonwealth Secretariat delivered the opening address. Peter Nobel outlined a vision for sustainable technological development and reflected on future trends in artificial general intelligence and neuro-robotics.
Sven-Kristian Hentz of McLaren Automotive discussed the transition of manufacturing towards greener and lower-carbon models. Dr Lan Lidong, Founder and Chairman of Zero Gravity, spoke on China’s commercial aerospace development, offering a culturally framed perspective that drew strong audience engagement.
Ferdinando Rodriguez y Baena of Imperial College London and Helge Wudermann of University College London presented analyses on artificial general intelligence and robotics technologies.
They were joined by representatives from Shenzhou Guangda and Tihu Robotics in a roundtable on robotics innovation and commercialisation, focusing on industrial application pathways and global technology frontiers.
The Technology Finance Forum focused on cross-border technology investment, financing mechanisms, and industrial internationalisation.
Speakers included Zhang Shaoqian, Founder of CBRE China; Patrick Parsons; Liu Bing, Global Partner of YSS; and Fabio La France, Founder of Blueverse Capital.
Zhang Shaoqian analysed pathways for building cross-border industrial ecosystems. Fabio La France discussed emerging trends in deep-tech globalisation. Liu Bing highlighted the transformation of China’s AI capital from outward expansion to ecosystem co-construction.
In parallel, the Global Technology Innovation Enterprise Awards ceremony recognised outstanding enterprises and individuals across multiple sectors.
Neil Brigden, Toni Allen, and Yu Xiong presented awards honouring innovation excellence worldwide.
Zero Gravity received the Global Commercial Aerospace Innovation Award. Easpeed Technology was recognised as a Global Disruptive Technology Innovation Enterprise. Zhongshu Ruizhi received the Global Leading Enterprise in AI Agent Technology Award. Tihu Robotics, Shenzhou Guangda, Xunsen Magneto-Electric, and Deng Liyun were also recognised across sustainability, investment value, business model innovation, and youth leadership categories.
Additional recipients included Argos Labs, LAAI Artificial Intelligence Group, Guixu Robotics, and Suzhou Jixun Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd., recognised for achievements in AI innovation, global expansion, robotics applications, and investment potential.
The awards highlighted the continued dynamism and innovation capacity of global technology enterprises.
The summit also hosted a resource matchmaking session and a China Technology Products Exhibition Area, designed to facilitate efficient cooperation between Chinese and international enterprises.
A range of Chinese-developed intelligent technologies was showcased, including the Hitun coffee robot, UBTech’s Wukong-series robots, and the LAAI window-cleaning robot. The exhibits attracted strong interest from participants and demonstrated the maturity of applied robotics and intelligent systems.
The closing dinner was held at the Houses of Parliament in London, where organisers issued the London Joint Declaration. They pledged to strengthen international cooperation in artificial intelligence, robotics, intelligent manufacturing, commercial aerospace, and life sciences, and to jointly build an open, inclusive, and mutually beneficial global innovation ecosystem.
The WFT summit series will continue from London to Beijing, Paris, Singapore, Hong Kong, Davos, and other global innovation hubs.
