2026 Applications Conference Sessions

The 2026 agenda dives deep into key topics for enterprise application and software engineering leaders around AI, leadership, modernization, cost optimization and more to help address your organization’s mission-critical challenges.

2026 Applications Conference Theme

Deliver the Future: Innovate, Lead, Act.

Applications and software engineering leaders are at a turning point where foresight must meet execution and business disruption is forcing dramatic changes. The 2026 conference empowers you to go beyond admiring the AI-enabled promising future — it's about actively building and delivering it. Learn how modern technology, visionary leadership and decisive action can transform your organization’s aspirations into reality. 

Explore our conference sessions below, all developed with this theme in mind. Join us to grow the skills and insights needed to deliver an adaptive and autonomous transformation journey.

Hear why senior leaders invest their time at #GartnerAPPS — plus why networking at this conference is a game changer!
Find Applications Conference Sessions

There are hundreds of sessions happening each day. Filter to see sessions that align with your role and interests. After registering for the conference, craft your agenda and book priority sessions — all through Gartner Conference Navigator.

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Tuesday, June 02, 2026

09:30 AM - 10:15 AM PDT

Gartner Opening Keynote: Unlock the Human-AI Multiplier to Go From Pilot to Payoff
Brent Stewart, VP Analyst, Gartner
Jason Wong, Distinguished VP Analyst, Gartner
In the race to operationalize AI across applications, workflows, and development tools, most technology leaders struggle to scale deployments, drive adoption, and show ROI. The goal is to get tangible value without creating “AI slop,” accelerating tech debt, or undermining user trust. We’ll provide insights and examples for practical transformation that emphasize human-AI partnership as a force multiplier for delivering AI solutions that get results. ... Show More Show Less

11:00 AM - 11:45 AM PDT

Roundtable: Is Product-Centric Delivery in Government Achievable — or Just Rhetoric?
Ron Blankenship, Executive Partner, Domains, Gartner
Join public-sector technology peers for a candid, peer-led discussion on shifting from projects to products in government. Explore real barriers and breakthroughs in team structure, funding, culture and accountability. Share your experiences and learn what’s truly working — and what’s not — across agencies. ... Show More Show Less

11:00 AM - 12:30 PM PDT

Senior Leadership Circle Workshop: Advance Your AI Strategy for Success in an Era of Constant Change
Dave Micko, Sr Director Analyst, Gartner
The enormous potential business value of AI will not materialize spontaneously. IT leaders should guide their organizations toward an era in which AI is not only creating tangible business value but goes beyond to become a critical competitive differentiator and industry disruptor. ... Show More Show Less

11:00 AM - 11:30 AM PDT

The Future of Software Engineering: AI, Tiny Teams and Robots
Manjunath Bhat, Distinguished VP Analyst, Gartner
Through extensive interviews, trend analysis and scenario planning, Gartner reveals its predictions for the near- to mid-term future of software development and engineering. Where will the waves of innovation crashing down on us now take us tomorrow? How can we prepare now to ride these waves, rather than being drowned by them? ... Show More Show Less

11:00 AM - 12:30 PM PDT

Workshop: Stakeholder Engagement and Change Communication Tactics for Next Generation Application
James Boyle, VP Analyst, Gartner
Effective stakeholder involvement is crucial as business-led IT grows more complex. Join this session for practical, action-oriented change management strategies. Attendees will gain valuable tactics to successfully navigate today’s evolving stakeholder ecosystem. ... Show More Show Less

12:30 PM - 01:00 PM PDT

AI Agents Shift Workforce Skills and Roles: Guidance for Adaptation
Deepak Seth, Sr Director Analyst, Gartner
AI agents’ deployment improves task-level automation by embedding GenAI-based reasoning frameworks and adaptive decision logic. However, the oversimplified narrative of AI agents as a direct substitute for human employees, fueled by marketing hype and early successes in limited tasks, often leads organizations to prematurely explore “hiring” AI agents for full-fledged roles. This rapid adoption trend is driving a fundamental shift in skill requirements and team structures. Join this session to learn more. ... Show More Show Less

02:30 PM - 03:00 PM PDT

Top Technology Trends in 2026 for Enterprise Applications
Tristan Iles, Sr Director Analyst, Gartner
In a heavily hyped market, Heads of Enterprise Applications must ensure that their strategic investments in AI embedded within business applications turn promise into profits by delivering measurable business value. Leaders must also evaluate which platforms are truly equipped to support future business needs so they can make informed decisions about where to invest for long-term success.
In this session, hear Gartner's insight into the future of the market, and learn how to ensure that current modernization efforts are compatible with future AI Agent investments, avoiding the waste of scarce resources on systems that will quickly become outdated. ... Show More Show Less

04:00 PM - 04:45 PM PDT

Ask the Analyst: How to Accelerate Your Impact as a New Software Engineering Leader
Brian Minning, Sr Director Analyst, Gartner
Stepping into a senior software engineering leadership role for the first time comes with high expectations. New heads of software engineering are tasked with delivering quick wins, driving meaningful change and setting a compelling direction for their function. This session will address attendees' questions on how to navigate this transition to achieve lasting impact as a leader. ... Show More Show Less
Wednesday, June 03, 2026

09:00 AM - 09:30 AM PDT

Elevating IT Portfolio Success: Building Financial Acumen and Due Diligence for Application Leaders
James Boyle, VP Analyst, Gartner
Application leaders need strong financial acumen and due diligence to make confident, outcome-focused portfolio decisions. This session shows how financial literacy, transparent risk management, and a shared financial language with business and finance partners can improve IT portfolio health. Gain strategies to strengthen oversight, reduce uncertainty and boost portfolio impact. ... Show More Show Less

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“Very informative and insightful sessions with the current trends and where the industry is headed. The team was professional, attentive and truly cared about delivering the best possible experience for me. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for attending industry trends conferences.”

Aneez Zakaria
Product Manager, Blue Shield of California

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