Sponsors and Organizers: Lanzhou University and Lanzhou University of Technology
Co-sponsors: Tianshui Normal University, Gansu Vocational University of Industry Technology, and City University of Hong Kong
Technical Co-sponsor: IEEE Systems, Man and Cybernetics Society
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The 18th International Conference on Advanced Computational Intelligence (ICACI2026) will be held in Tianshui, Gansu, China, from August 13 to 16, 2026. Tianshui is a historically significant city situated on the Silk Road, between Xi’an and Lanzhou in northwestern China, with numerous tourist sites, including the Maijishan Grottoes, which are listed as a UNESCO Cultural Heritage site. Following the successes of previous events, ICACI2026 aims to provide a high-level international forum for scientists, engineers, and educators to present the state-of-the-art research and applications in related fields. The conference will feature plenary speeches given by world-renowned scholars, regular sessions with broad coverage, and special sessions focusing on popular topics.
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Call for Papers and Special Sessions

Prospective authors are invited to contribute high-quality papers to ICACI2026. Additionally, proposals for special sessions within the technical scope of the symposium are solicited. Special sessions, organized by internationally recognized experts, aim to bring together researchers in specialized, focused topics. Papers submitted for special sessions are peer-reviewed using the same criteria as those for contributed papers. Researchers interested in organizing special sessions are invited to submit formal proposals to ICACI2026. A special session proposal should include the session title, a brief description of the scope and motivation, names, contact information, and brief biographical information on the organizers.
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Topic Areas: Topics of contributing papers include, but are not limited to, the following areas:

* Neural networks: Computational neuroscience, connectionist theory, cognitive science, mathematical modeling of neural systems, neurodynamic analysis, neurodynamic optimization, adaptive dynamic programming, embedded neural systems, probabilistic and information-theoretic methods, principal and independent component analysis, hybrid intelligent systems, supervised learning, unsupervised learning, reinforcement learning, deep learning, brain imaging, neural information processing, neuroinformatics, bioinformatics, support vector machines and kernel methods, autonomous mental development, data mining, big data processing, pattern recognition, time series analysis, image and signal processing, robotic and control applications, telecommunications, transportation systems, intrusion detection and fault diagnosis, brain computer interface, neuro-engineering, neuromorphic hardware.

* Fuzzy systems: Fuzzy mathematics, fuzzy measure and integral, fuzzy logic, possibility theory, fuzzy clustering, fuzzy classification, fuzzy data analysis, fuzzy decision-making, fuzzy modeling, fuzzy control, type-2 fuzzy systems, computing with words, rough sets, granular computing, fuzzy neural networks, neuro-fuzzy systems, fuzzy system architecture or hardware.

* Evolutionary computation: Genetic algorithms, genetic programming, evolutionary strategy, swarm intelligence, particle swarm optimization, ant colony optimization, differential evolution, brain storm optimization, estimation of distribution algorithms, other meta-heuristics, evolutionary multi-objective optimization, evolutionary machine learning, evolutionary scheduling, data-driven evolutionary computation, large-scale optimization, parallel and distributed evolutionary computation, evolutionary computation for bi-level optimization, multi-tasking evolutionary computation, evolutionary computation under uncertainty, dynamic evolutionary algorithms, real world applications of evolutionary algorithms.
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Paper Submission

Authors are invited to submit full-length papers (8 pages maximum) by the submission deadline through the online submission system. Potential organizers are also invited to enlist five or more papers with cohesive topics to form special sessions. The submission of a paper implies that the paper is original and has not been submitted under review or is not copyright-protected elsewhere, and will be presented by an author if accepted. All submitted papers will be refereed by experts in the field based on the criteria of originality, significance, quality, and clarity. The authors of accepted papers will have the opportunity to revise their papers, taking into consideration the referees' comments and suggestions. All accepted papers will be submitted for inclusion into IEEE Xplore, subject to meeting IEEE Xplore’s scope and quality requirements. Selected high-quality papers will be included in several journal special issues.
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Important Dates

Special session proposals deadline: March 1, 2026
Paper submission deadline: April 1, 2026
Notification of acceptance: May 1, 2026
Camera-ready copy and author registration: June 1, 2026