New Horizon: Lead what’s next in AI - Barcelona

In-person event, Barcelona, Spain

An immersive experience for people who want to work at the intersection of strategy and technology.

New Horizon: Lead what’s next in AI convenes leaders from business and across industries to turn technologies into real outcomes. Engage in keynotes, immersive sessions, and hands-on experiences designed to accelerate understanding, sharpen strategies, and inspire bold action.

What to expect

Insights from leaders

Hear from McKinsey’s technology and business leaders as they explore where innovation is heading and how it’s reshaping industries. Their perspectives offer a window into the opportunities and challenges that will define the next decade.

Business meets technology in action

See how digital tools and data power real decisions. Immerse yourself in live challenges, interactive demos, and product showcases that bring strategy to life and turn ideas into impact.

Immersive consulting experience

Step into the way McKinsey teams work. Collaborate in small groups with consultants and experts, frame problems, test ideas, and present recommendations to client panels. The pace is fast, the questions are real, and the learning comes through doing.

Connections and exchange

Conversations are at the heart of the experience. Meet peers from diverse backgrounds, including consultants, strategists, technologists, and recruiters who can help you see where your skills fit. Expect to learn as much from the people around you as from the sessions themselves.

What you’ll take away

Gain perspective on what’s next

Understand how AI is redefining strategy, operations, and the workforce, and what that means for leaders, innovators, and problem-solvers. Leave with a clearer view of where technology is heading and the role you can play in shaping it.

See how your skills create impact

Discover how your unique strengths create value within multidisciplinary teams. Experience how strategy and data come together to turn ideas into lasting results.

Experience consulting in practice

Learn McKinsey’s structured approach to problem-solving: how to break down complexity, test your thinking, and translate insights into actionable recommendations. Leave with practical tools you can apply anywhere.

Build connections that last

Grow your network with purpose. Connect with people who think differently, spark ideas, and push your perspective. The conversations you start here can grow into mentorship, collaboration, and lifelong community.

Who can apply

Who is the program for

New Horizon: Lead what’s next in AI is designed for curious, ambitious minds who want to push the boundaries of what AI can do in business and society. This includes:

• Business professionals and strategists: Graduates and early-career professionals with strong skills or a deep interest in AI, eager to broaden their perspective and apply their talent to transformative ideas.
• Hands-on technologists: Graduates and practitioners with up to five years of experience in fields such as software engineering, data science, or data engineering who want to deepen their expertise and test their skills in new contexts.

If this sounds like you and you’re ready to take the next step and put your curiosity into action, we’d love to hear from you.

Eligibility criteria

To be considered for this event, you must:

• Be based in, or have strong professional or academic ties to, Europe
• And meet one of the following criteria:
• Be a master’s, PhD, or MBA student graduating by 2027
• Hold a university degree and have up to five years of professional experience in business consulting or tech and AI transformation, with strong skills or a deep interest in AI
• Hold a university degree and have up to five years of experience in technical roles such as data science, data engineering, or software engineering

How to apply

To apply, please submit the following materials by January 12, 2026:

• Resume in English: Include your education and grades, work experience, extracurricular activities, and achievements.
• Transcripts: Depending on your preferred office or practice, you may need to include your academic transcripts (see FAQ below for details).
• Preferred office location and practice: Indicate your top choices (up to three) from participating offices and specify whether you are applying to QuantumBlack or McKinsey Digital. We recommend selecting offices based on your geographic or industry ties (for example, where you have studied, lived, or worked). Fluency in the local language is required.