Agenda

Agenda

Thursday, September 17, 2026

All times are listed in Central Standard Time.

AI & Data Summit Chicago

One Day Event

8:30AM

Registration and Networking

Informal networking and welcome, setting the tone for a strategic day.

10:00AM

IDC Welcome Remarks

Kevin Prouty

Kevin Prouty

Group Vice President & General Manager, Tech Buyer Business, IDC

Allice Shandler

Allice Shandler

Sr. Director, Events – Americas, IDC

10:10AM

IDC Keynote: Agentic AI at Scale: Accelerating Innovation While Managing Risk

Agentic AI is unlocking new levels of enterprise innovation by enabling autonomous decision-making and adaptive workflows at scale. Balancing this potential with robust risk management is essential for ensuring trust, compliance, and sustainable value as organizations operationalize agentic systems across critical functions.

Matt Eastwood

Matt Eastwood

SVP, World Wide Research, IDC

10:40AM

Sponsor Keynote #1: The Next Phase of Enterprise AI: From Experimentation to Transformation

As AI moves beyond pilots and proofs of concept, organizations are shifting their focus to scaling adoption and delivering measurable business value. This keynote explores the key trends, challenges, and success factors shaping the next phase of enterprise AI

11:05AM

Sponsor Keynote #2: The Intelligence Layer: How Modern Analytics Powers Enterprise AI

AI is becoming the new interface for enterprise data. This session examines how organizations are creating an intelligence layer that connects data, analytics, and AI to deliver trusted insights, accelerate decisions, and unlock new business value.

11:20AM

Interactive Roundtables

Small group discussions on innovation, application modernization and tech debt reduction

Agentic AI Implementation

Measuring AI ROI and Business Outcomes

Designing AI Governance Models

Future-Proofing Data Architectures

12:05PM

Panel Discussion: Data as a Strategic Asset

Data is emerging as a core driver of enterprise strategy, fueling innovation, operational excellence, and competitive differentiation. Organizations that treat data as a strategic asset are positioned to unlock new value, enable intelligent decision-making, and build resilient, future-ready business models.

12:30PM

Fireside Chat: Orchestrating Data for Real-Time AI and Business Operations

AI initiatives often stall when data is fragmented across applications, warehouses, and operational systems. This session explores how modern enterprises are using data orchestration to unify customer, operational, and transactional data in real time. Learn how connected systems, automated workflows, and trusted data synchronization are enabling organizations to operationalize AI and deliver faster business outcomes.

12:45PM

Building the AI-Ready Enterprise: Scaling AI Across the Enterprise

Organizations are moving beyond AI experimentation and into enterprise-scale deployment. Success requires more than models, it demands a modern foundation that brings together data, infrastructure, governance, and operational excellence. This session explores how enterprises are designing AI-ready architectures that span edge, data center, and cloud environments to deliver secure, scalable, and business-driven AI outcomes.

1:00PM

Networking Lunch & Solutions Showcase

Time off to think, network and share insights.

2:00PM

Trustworthy AI – Ethics, Bias & Transparency in Practice

Building trustworthy AI requires embedding ethics, bias mitigation, and transparency into every stage of the AI lifecycle. Organizations that operationalize these principles not only strengthen compliance and stakeholder trust but also position themselves for responsible innovation and long-term success.

2:25PM

Unlocking AI Value Through Intelligent Integration

AI success depends on more than models: it requires seamless access to trusted data, applications, and processes across the enterprise. This session explores how organizations are using intelligent integration, automation, and API management to connect disparate systems, eliminate silos, and create the foundation for scalable AI and data-driven innovation.

2:35PM

The Human Side of AI and Data

As AI and data reshape the enterprise landscape, human insight, adaptability, and collaboration become critical differentiators. Organizations that prioritize culture, upskilling, and ethical engagement empower their workforce to thrive alongside intelligent technologies and drive sustainable transformation.

2:45PM

Cybersecurity Meets AI and Data

The convergence of cybersecurity, AI, and data is redefining how organizations anticipate, detect, and respond to evolving threats. Leveraging intelligent automation and advanced analytics, enterprises can strengthen defenses, accelerate incident response, and build more resilient security postures in an increasingly complex digital landscape.

2:55PM

Responsible AI in Practice

Operationalizing responsible AI requires embedding ethical frameworks, governance, and accountability into every stage of the AI lifecycle. Organizations that implement these practices at scale not only mitigate risk and ensure compliance but also unlock sustainable innovation and stakeholder trust.

3:05PM

Digital Sovereignty and Data Governance

Digital sovereignty and robust data governance are becoming critical imperatives as organizations navigate regulatory complexity, cross-border data flows, and evolving digital ecosystems. Leaders who prioritize control, transparency, and compliance in their data strategies will be best positioned to safeguard assets, build stakeholder trust, and drive sustainable growth in a rapidly shifting global landscape.

3:15PM

Lightning Insights: The Autonomous Enterprise: AI’s Next Frontier

3:20PM

Lightning Insights: Modern Infrastructure for an AI-Driven World

3:25PM

Lightning Insights: Reimagining Enterprise Operations in the Age of AI

3:30PM

Networking Break

3:50PM

Lightning Insights: Digital Sovereignty and Data Governance

3:55PM

Lightning Insights: Driving Business Value with AI & Data

4:00PM

End User Case Study

4:15PM

Panel Discussion: AI & Data in 2030 – What Leaders Must Prepare For​

AI and data will fundamentally redefine competitive dynamics, business models, and workforce expectations. Leaders must anticipate disruptive technological shifts, invest in adaptive strategies, and cultivate organizational resilience to harness the full potential of an AI-driven future.

4:45PM

IDC’s Wrap-Up

Summarize insights and set expectations for the next day.

Kevin Prouty

Kevin Prouty

Group Vice President & General Manager, Tech Buyer Business, IDC

Allice Shandler

Allice Shandler

Sr. Director, Events – Americas, IDC

4:55PM

Networking Reception

Enjoy more food and drinks with our partners and new contacts

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