Software Futures Forum 2026

Software Development in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

Hosted by UW-Madison Computer Sciences, Dec. 8, 2026

Why should you attend

Software development is rapidly changing as artificial intelligence upends how code gets specified, written, reviewed, and shipped. As the industry currently stands, no one yet knows which skills will become more valuable, which will fall away, or what any of it means for the young talent entering the field.

During the inaugural Software Futures Forum on December 8, 2026, we’ll begin to address three of today’s biggest questions: What does software development actually look like in the AI age? What are universities teaching young talent, and what else do they need to build into curricula? And how can industry partner with academia to help keep top talent within the state?

During SFF 2026, you’ll hear from a variety of perspectives across leading tech companies, Wisconsin practitioners, and university researchers during talks, panels, and breakout sessions. You’ll also hear about upcoming opportunities to join as founding partners of BadgerPath, a new initiative to identify, prepare, and launch Wisconsin's next generation of computer scientists.

Registration

Registration: $50

Registration includes:

Access to all sessions
Refreshment breaks, lunch and reception

Meeting Agenda

Overview:

· Learn about the new College of Computing & Artificial Intelligence, UW’s first new college in over 40 years, from Founding Dean Remzi Arpaci-Dusseau.

· Explore BadgerPath, a workforce development and retention initiative from the Department of Computer Sciences, with Professor and Chair Paul Barford.

· Sessions and discussions with tech leaders and a student panel

8:30am - 9:00am Light breakfast

9:00am - 10:30am - Keynote talks

Remzi Arpaci-Dusseau - Founding Dean of College of Computing & Artificial Intelligence

Paul Barford - Computer Sciences Department Chair

Dhruba Borthakur - OpenAI

TBA - (Anthropic)

10:30am - 11:00am - Break

11:00am - 12:30pm - Keynote talks

Allan Halverson - Microsoft (ret.)

Chris Chavez - ShopBop/Amazon

Milo Martin - Google

12:30pm - 1:30pm - Lunch

1:30pm - 3:00pm - Keynote talks

Branden McGuire - Epic

TBA - (Northwestern Mutual)

Student panel

3:00pm - 3:30pm - Break

3:30pm - 4:30pm - Small group feedback sessions

4:30pm - 5:00pm - Morgridge Hall tours

5:00pm - Reception

Speakers

Join us for a wide-ranging survey of perspectives on the future of software and computer

science, including big tech leaders, university researchers, and Wisconsin

professionals, including:

· Remzi Arpaci-Dusseau, Founding Dean, College of Computing & Artificial Intelligence

· Paul Barford, Chair, Department of Computer Sciences

·· Dhruba Borthakur - OpenAI

· Chris Chavez - ShopBop/Amazon

· Allan Halverson - Microsoft

· Milo Martin - Google

· Branden McGuire - Epic

Partner

Discovery Building

The conference will be held at the Discovery Building on the

University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. The first floor of the building is a

central space where campus, community and industry gather to celebrate idea

sharing through conferences, poster sessions, banquets, receptions, lectures

& more. The Discovery Building is also home to twin research institutes,

the private Morgridge Institute for Research and the public Wisconsin Institute

for Discovery (WID). Their private-public collaboration helps facilitate

breakthrough discoveries to advance health and well-being.

Lodging

Double Tree

The DoubleTree by Hilton Madison Downtown is just a 10-minute walk from the Union or a 4-minute drive via the hotel’s courtesy shuttle service. Popular for its free local and airport transportation, the hotel also offers a full-service restaurant, Starbucks® Café, and newly renovated guest rooms featuring a microwave, refrigerator, and complimentary Wi-Fi. Many of Madison’s iconic restaurants and bars as well as popular destinations like State Street, the University of Wisconsin campus, and State Capitol are just steps away. For guests driving in, self-parking is available onsite for $20 per night.

Room Rate: $126/night plus taxes