The world of software engineering is evolving rapidly, and staying ahead of the curve requires continuous learning and collaboration. Every year, senior developers and architects gather at QCon events to delve into the technical challenges their organizations face. Questions like:
- Is our architecture ready for the AI features the product wants?
- How do I debug a distributed system that fails in ways I can’t reproduce?
- Should we rewrite this application in Rust or optimize what we have?
- What does a resilient engineering organization look like when half my workflow may change in 18 months?
These inquiries stem from real-world scenarios where professionals must navigate constraints, offering a stark contrast to platform demos and promotional talks. QCon London will return to the Queen Elizabeth II Centre from March 16-19, 2026, featuring over 75 peer-selected speakers across 15 curated tracks, all focused on the patterns, trade-offs, and architectural decisions that affect production systems.
Addressing AI Adoption and Its Organizational Impact
This year’s program will tackle the pressing issue of AI adoption and its consequences for engineering teams. Attendees will explore:
- AI Engineering
- Architecture in the Age of AI
- Organizations in Flux: Navigating and Managing AI’s Impact on Engineering Teams
These sessions are designed to help engineers understand how to integrate AI capabilities effectively while maintaining robust architectures.
Scaling and Observability of Systems
As systems grow in complexity, the ability to scale and maintain observability becomes paramount. Key topics will include:
- Architectures You’ve Always Wondered About
- Debugging Distributed Systems
- Modern Performance Optimization
- Architecting for Resilience
These tracks promise to provide valuable insights into ensuring systems can scale while remaining resilient against failures.
Navigating Uncertainty and Complexity in Leadership
In an ever-changing landscape, leading engineering teams through uncertainty is crucial. Sessions will cover:
- The Long Game: Staff+ Engineering Agency and the Art of Thriving Through Hype-Cycles
- Building Engineering Teams
- Modern Software Security & Risk Management
These discussions will equip leaders with the tools to maintain direction and productivity amid the rapid shifts in technology and team dynamics.
Technical Decisions That Keep Teams Awake at Night
Dealing with technical dilemmas can be a source of stress for many teams. Attendees can expect to engage with topics such as:
- Modern Native Languages and WASM
- Modern Data Architectures
- Connecting Systems: APIs, Protocols, Observability
- Tech of the Finance Industry
- Emerging Trends in the Frontend and Mobile
Each of these tracks will explore the implications of technical decisions, helping teams make informed choices that align with their goals.
The Curation of the Program
The QCon program is crafted through collaborative discussions among senior engineers who share insights on current trends in the field. The curation process ensures that the tracks reflect real-world considerations and challenges. The year’s program is led by a group of distinguished practitioners, including:
- Eder Ignatowicz, Senior Principal Software Engineer & Architect @Red Hat AI; Chair, InfoQ Dev Summit Boston; Program Co-chair, QCon London
- Erica Pisani, Senior Software Engineer @Float Financial; Speaker & creator of The 418
- Blanca Garcia Gil, Transformational Coach; Principal Engineer; LeadDev StaffPlus Host; Former Principal Engineer @BBC
- Werner Schuster, Kernel Developer @Wolfram; InfoQ Editor (Functional Programming)
- Srini Penchikala, Senior Software Architect; Lead Editor for AI/ML/Data Engineering @InfoQ
- Ian Thomas, Software Engineer @Meta; QCon London & San Francisco Co-Chair
These experts have faced and overcome similar challenges, making their insights invaluable to attendees seeking to sharpen their technical judgment.
QCon London 2026 promises to be a pivotal event for senior practitioners looking to refine their approach and validate the architectural and technology decisions that shape their organizations. Registration is currently open, and early bird pricing is available, offering an excellent opportunity to invest in professional growth and leadership in the tech sector.
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