Game Changer 5.0 Zagreb powered by A1, the fifth and jubilee edition of the technology and business conference, takes place on October 14, 2026 at Z Centar in Zagreb, using the CineStar cinema venues. Across five stages, leaders from technology, business and the creative industries will tackle a practical question: not what artificial intelligence can do, but what companies and people will do with what AI can already do.
Key Highlights
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Game Changer 5.0 Zagreb powered by A1 runs October 14, 2026 at Z Centar and CineStar, Zagreb
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This is the fifth, jubilee edition of a conference that started in Zagreb and now also runs in Slovenia, Italy, Montenegro, Switzerland and the United Kingdom
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Five stages cover AI transformation, humanoid robotics, Web3 infrastructure, AI driven commerce, gamification and startups
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Speakers include the CEOs of A1 Croatia and Slovenia, Ericsson Nikola Tesla and Gideon Brothers, plus John Newbigin OBE
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More speakers will be announced in the days ahead of the event
A Programme Built Around Real Decisions
Can a robot testify in court? Who is the customer when an AI agent makes a purchase? What will a CEO never delegate to a machine? These are among the questions set for debate in Zagreb this October.
Organizers say the event is aimed at people who are already building digital tools into their companies, products and business models rather than watching from the sidelines. That focus is also why they expect the programme to matter to people who would not call themselves part of the tech crowd, since these questions are no longer limited to the IT industry.
Who Makes the Final Call: Humans or Machines?
One of the headline stages is dedicated to AI transformation and brings together leaders of companies already running technology at significant scale. Dejan Turk, CEO of A1 Croatia and Slovenia, and Siniša Krajnović, CEO of Ericsson Nikola Tesla, will explore what a chief executive can hand over to artificial intelligence and what they would never delegate to a machine.
The underlying question will soon face almost every business leader. If software can analyse more data, spot patterns faster and recommend a course of action, where does its role end and where does human responsibility begin? Josip Ćesić, CEO and founder of Gideon Brothers, will add a concrete view of a future where a car is no longer necessarily a place for a driver, but part of an entirely new mobility system.
Humanoid Robots in Critical Situations
A series of discussions will look at humanoid robots taking part in situations that directly affect human lives. Dr Bruna Gerardi, a robotics specialist at Sheffield Hallam University, will join legal experts as one of the key voices on this panel, which examines how close technology is to entering the most sensitive areas of human life.
Web3 and the Infrastructure of Digital Decisions
Web3 and next generation infrastructure form another major theme. After years of debate about who controls data, the conference asks a bigger question: who controls the infrastructure on which our digital decisions will take place?
Speakers across the five stages include Joško Mrndže, former Google Regional Director; Tvrtko Stošić, Solutions Consultant at Avaya; Aco Momčilović; Vlaho Hrdalo, President of UBIK; Sanda Mamić of Friendly Fire; Joseph Tenzin Oliver, CEO of Vision Plan; Marko Đurđević of Superteam Balkan and the Solana Foundation; Karol Cagáň, CEO of Aegic; Željko Šustra, Managing Director of the Corporate Governance Sector at APIS IT; and Nikola Škorić, CEO of Electrocoin.
When AI Becomes the Customer
Commerce is where these shifts will be most visible to everyone. The ecommerce, SmartCommerce and AdTech stage will ask who the customer really is when an AI agent makes the purchase. Instead of searching, comparing prices and clicking buy, shoppers may increasingly hand those tasks to digital agents, which raises new questions for retailers, advertisers and brands.
The discussion features Nikola Jovanović, Managing Director of Havas; Ivan Andabak, CEO of Recomenda; Ivana Prakiš, Country Director at Coob Ads; and Davor Aničić, CEO of Velebit AI. Kristijan Gregorić, CEO of Valicon, will share insights into the Croatian consumer of 2027.
Gamification, Personalisation and Who Designs Our Behaviour
The Gamify and Hyperpersonalisation stage looks at algorithms that know what we want, what we watch, how long we stay and what might interest us next, along with a wider conversation about growing up in an algorithmic world. Andrej Levenski of Gamepires will discuss the game economy, while Jan Mikulčić, President of the Croatian Esports Federation, will cover the infrastructure behind the fast growing esports industry.
A particularly anticipated guest is John Newbigin OBE, one of Britain’s most influential experts on the creative industries and a former adviser to the Mayor of London. In conversation with Davor Bruketa on culture as the new technology platform, he will argue that technology changes the tools, but people continue to create culture.
Where the Next Game Changers Are Built
The Foundry Club Investor and Startup Stage brings together founders, investors and the people who decide which projects get the chance to grow. Experts working with local startups include Alexander May of AWS; Ivana Gažić, CEO of the Zagreb Stock Exchange; Janko Bobetko, Member of the Management Board of HAMAG BICRO; Vedran Blagus, Associate Partner at LAUNCHub Ventures; and Georg Bauser.
From Zagreb to Five More Countries
Game Changer was first launched in Zagreb and has since expanded its platform and activities to Slovenia, Italy, Montenegro, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. The jubilee edition expects CEOs, investors, startup founders, technology experts, marketing professionals, public sector representatives, creatives and gamers to gather in one place for a single day.
Event Details
Game Changer 5.0 Zagreb powered by A1 takes place on October 14, 2026 at Z Centar, Zagreb. Tickets, the full programme and speaker updates are available on the official Game Changer website.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Game Changer 5.0 Zagreb about?
Game Changer 5.0 Zagreb is a technology and business conference that focuses on how companies and individuals can utilize artificial intelligence, robotics, and Web3 technology. It features discussions on practical applications of these technologies across various industries.
When and where is the Game Changer 5.0 Zagreb event taking place?
The event is scheduled for October 14, 2026, at Z Centar and CineStar in Zagreb, Croatia.
Who are some of the speakers at Game Changer 5.0 Zagreb?
Speakers include the CEOs of A1 Croatia and Slovenia, Ericsson Nikola Tesla, and Gideon Brothers, along with John Newbigin OBE. More speakers will be announced leading up to the event.
What topics will be discussed at the conference?
The conference will cover topics such as AI transformation, humanoid robotics, Web3 infrastructure, AI driven commerce, gamification, and startups, addressing real world questions about the role of AI in business.
