AI’s most enthusiastic promoters rarely resist the temptation to go big with their predictions about the technology’s long-term future, such as the prospect of AGI (artificial general intelligence), when machines start reasoning independently. Nor can popular culture seem to resist far-fetched pointless questions like, Can AIs Suffer?
These aren’t necessarily the pressing issues that keep IT folks busy all day and awake at night. But there’s a case for at least familiarizing yourself with concepts that may flow from the interaction that’s already been set in motion between technology, business processes, human factors, and governance. That’s why we’ve added a new, futuristic track to the Conference program for Enterprise Connect 2026, called, “Future Shock: Communications Tech Beyond the Horizon.”
We see this as very much a compliment to the practical, actionable content that makes up the bulk of the program. Clearly you’ve got to get AI deployed, functioning and delivering ROI before you worry about hurting an application’s feelings. But I’d argue it can be useful to get your head around the potential longer-term implications of new technologies, to help prepare you to assess their prospects and implications.
The kinds of content we’re seeking for this track relate to issues such as the way technology advances will impact how we interact with our spaces; the implications of increasing autonomy on the part of AI agents; AI’s ability to assess human emotion; and how AI and analytics might progress to enable proactive automated compliance and security management.
I’m not suggesting any of the above advances are guaranteed to happen; but efforts will be made in all these areas, and some company will come knocking on your door, ready to tell you they have a product that does it. And if there’s one thing we’ve learned over the last 3 years, it’s that, even when the technology doesn’t work as advertised right away, nobody’s bold enough to suggest we just ignore it.
Our Enterprise Connect Content Advisory Board is working on this and our other 4 Conference tracks, and we’ll have sessions posted to the EC website shortly. In the meantime, you can follow our progress as we build out the plan for an exciting new Enterprise Connect experience March 10 -12, 2026 in Las Vegas. I hope you can join us.
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For over 35 years, Enterprise Connect has been the premier event where IT leaders, solution providers, and industry analysts come together to define the future of enterprise communications. As the most trusted conference in the industry, we deliver cutting-edge insights, world-class networking opportunities, and hands-on solutions that drive real business success.
Enterprise Connect is more than an event—it’s an experience that empowers enterprise communications leaders to reimagine the future of work. With elevated content, curated networking, and an engaging atmosphere, it remains the must-attend conference for professionals shaping the industry’s evolution.
Our mission is to equip you with the tools, strategies, and actionable insights needed to address your organization’s unique challenges. With industry transformation in mind, this year’s program introduces fresh new conference tracks, including:
- Legacy Unleashed: Optimizing Your Communications Backbone
- Workplace Reimagined: Engineering Tomorrow's Collaboration
- Tech Disruption Zone: Implementing Without Imploding
- Achieving Transformation: Architecting Your 3-5 Year Roadmap
- Future Shock: Communications Tech Beyond the Horizon
Featuring the most comprehensive program of objective content and an expansive vendor-neutral expo hall, Enterprise Connect is your ultimate resource for advancing collaboration, CX, and AV strategies. Join us to stay ahead, connect with industry trailblazers, and lead the transformation of enterprise communications.