As QCon San Francisco approaches, set for November 17-21, 2025, the excitement is palpable among tech professionals eager to explore the latest developments in software engineering. The conference is known for its commitment to showcasing real-world case studies and practical lessons learned, making it a must-attend event for industry leaders and newcomers alike. This year’s program committee, along with its dedicated track hosts, is generating buzz by sharing their top picks for sessions, covering diverse topics from AI-enhanced development and platform engineering to resilience patterns and career growth.
Let’s dive deeper into some of the most anticipated sessions highlighted by experts in the field.
Architecture & Migration
Thomas Betts, a program committee member at QCon San Francisco and Laureate Application Architect at Blackbaud, emphasizes the unique storytelling element that distinguishes QCon’s presentations. “What sets QCon apart,” Betts notes, “is the focus on narratives that provide valuable lessons along the way.” His selections of compelling architectural narratives promise to captivate attendees and provide insightful takeaways for implementation.
The Future of Development with AI
In an era where AI technology is rapidly evolving, track host Kaye Mason, a Software Engineer at Meta, underscores a critical message: “We’re not going to lose our jobs to an AI any time soon, but we might lose out to someone who knows how to use AI effectively.” This sentiment encapsulates the urgency for professionals to adapt and embrace AI as a tool for innovation. Mason’s must-see sessions are geared towards arming individuals with the knowledge to leverage AI in their software development efforts effectively.
Leadership & Career Growth
For professionals looking to climb the career ladder, Mason highly recommends the dedicated track on senior engineering leadership. The session titled “The Path To Senior Engineering Leadership” (Entire Track) is particularly noteworthy, as it presents diverse perspectives from experienced speakers. Each talk offers unique insights into skill building and career progression, making it an invaluable resource for attendees aiming to enhance their professional trajectories.
Resilience, Performance & Observability
Track host Lorin Hochstein believes that sessions featuring senior engineers sharing their extensive experience deliver immense value. “My favorite talks often come from seasoned professionals who provide practical insights based on years of hands-on work,” he explains. Sessions that focus on resilience, performance, and observability promise to impart deep knowledge on tackling complex challenges that arise in software systems.
Kaye Mason echoes this sentiment, underlining the critical importance of resilience and performance within the tech landscape. Her top session recommendations in this area aim to equip attendees with essential skills to maintain system integrity and efficiency.
Keynote Spotlight
Attendees can also look forward to a notable keynote that aligns with Thomas Betts’s passion for effective storytelling. This keynote, alongside presentations from industry leaders such as Nicole Forsgren, Michelle Brush, Shawna Martell, and Dan Fike, promises to foster inspiring discussions around current trends and challenges in software engineering.
All of this will take place at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco during the QCon San Francisco 2025 event. Those looking for actionable insights crafted by practitioners dealing with intricate problems at scale will find this conference incredibly beneficial. The full schedule, detailing all communities and sessions, can be accessed via the QCon San Francisco website.
To ensure a place at this year’s captivating sessions, early bird tickets are now available, allowing tech enthusiasts to secure their attendance at this pivotal event.
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