CogX

Overview

CogX Festival is an annual conference and exhibition platform focused on artificial intelligence, emerging technology, and digital transformation. Founded in 2017, it convenes technology leaders, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and innovators to discuss the implications and applications of AI across industry, government, and society. The festival operates multiple product lines including the main CogX Festival, Global Leadership Summit, and CogX Awards, attracting thousands of attendees and featuring prominent speakers from technology, business, and public sectors.

History

CogX Festival was founded in 2017 by Charlie Muirhead and Tabitha Goldstaub with the inaugural event held at The Brewery in London. The organization expanded significantly, introducing the CogX Awards in 2018 and the Global Leadership Summit in 2020. In 2021, CogX partnered with Hopin to create a hybrid conference format during the COVID-19 pandemic, attracting over 100,000 virtual attendees. The festival returned to live events in 2022 and expanded to multiple summits and an expo by 2023, relocating to The O2 venue. As of 2026, CogX has expanded internationally with events in the United States.

Product Lines

Manufacturing

CogX operates as a conference and events platform rather than a manufacturing company. The organization produces digital and physical event experiences, partnering with venues such as The O2 in London and the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles. Content and technology infrastructure are developed in-house or through strategic partnerships with technology providers.

Notable Products

• CogX Festival (Annual) - Multi-day conference featuring keynotes, panel discussions, and networking focused on AI and emerging technology impact
• Global Leadership Summit - Executive summit addressing strategic questions about technology transformation and global challenges
• CogX Awards - Annual awards program recognizing innovation and leadership in AI and transformational technology
• CogX App - Mobile application launched in 2022 curating insights from leading technology podcasts

Reputation

CogX Festival is recognized as a significant platform for discussing AI policy and technology impact, attracting high-profile speakers and substantial attendance. The event is positioned as a serious industry conference combining the accessibility of a festival with the rigor of major summits like Davos. However, the organization faced reputational challenges in 2023 when guest speaker Stephen Fry fell on stage, subsequently filing a legal claim for damages in 2026, highlighting potential operational and safety concerns.