For years, quantum computing was seen as a breakthrough perpetually just out of reach. That perception is beginning to shift. Scientists are now combining quantum and classical systems to address problems that become prohibitively complex at scale, especially in molecular modeling, chemistry, materials science and energy.

Moderated by the New Scientist's Karmela Padavic-Callaghan, this session will explore what has enabled recent progress, what quantum computing can deliver today, the importance of building a quantum workforce for today and for the future, and how the gap between long‑term promise and practical impact is starting to narrow.

Did you know that mainframes are the backbone of the most critical, can’t-fail tech processes today, from banking transactions to hospital systems?

Join a candid conversation with some of the biggest names deploying mainframes today. We’ll break down the most common myths around mainframes and shed some light on where the tech behind this hardware is heading.

IBM has been at the epicenter of how technology transforms our world for more than a century. Now, as AI unlocks new opportunities and unsettles entire industries, that experience is more essential than ever. Host Jeff Berman sits down with IBM CEO Arvind Krishna to discuss hard won lessons from the front lines of this revolution, his insights about where we are headed and more.

The session will bring higher-education faculty and staff together during NYC Tech Week for a focused exploration of the most urgent academic questions surrounding AI.

Through two expert‑driven panels, we will examine the issues shaping teaching and learning today that include academic integrity, dissertation policies, equitable access to AI tools, research enablement and the evolving skills students need for an AI‑driven workforce. Faculty and staff will hear directly from national higher‑ed leaders and practitioners, then participate in an interactive challenge using IBM Bob, an AI-powered coding assistant.

This workshop offers administrators and educators a chance to engage with peers, surface shared challenges and explore responsible, effective approaches to integrating AI into curriculum, research and student support.

The conversation about whether AI will replace software developers has gone from contrarian to mainstream in the past year. The loudest voices disagree on what comes next.

Some say coding is ‘practically solved’ and the title of software engineer will disappear. Others say that developer roles will become only more solidified with AI.

This panel will explore these ideas first-hand, moderated by The Deep View’s Sabrina Ortiz.

Join IBM’s Vice Chairman Gary Cohn and Anthony Scaramucci, Founder and Managing Partner of SkyBridge Capital, for an honest and likely entertaining discussion about how AI and the influx of data are reshaping the way business gets things done, how leaders are rethinking the rules and the real-world implications of tech policy.

This session dives into how global organizations and world leaders are embracing digital sovereignty (or aren’t) to drive smarter strategy, stronger resilience and lasting growth amidst a period of uncertainty shaped by geopolitical tension.

Moderated by Stephanie Ruhle, MS NOW’s Senior Business Analyst and anchor of The 11th Hour with Stephanie Ruhle, expect a dynamic conversation on how today’s executives are turning complexity into competitive advantage—and redefining what it means to lead in a rapidly changing world.

Join IBM and Comcast Ventures for a first-of-its-kind startup pitch session on the latest and greatest in sports technology. As part of the IBM Sports Tech Startup Challenge, founders will have the chance to present their sports tech solutions to IBM Ventures, IBM Sports & Entertainment Partnerships team, Comcast Ventures and other sports and VC names. These leaders will also share the latest trends in the industry in a short fireside chat before the showcase kicks off.

If you're a sports tech startup, apply on the IBM Ventures site, and if you’re a sports, tech or VC fan, join us as we hear potentially the next big thing in sports.

Speakers: Emily Fontaine, Global Head of Venture Capital, IBM 

Kameryn Stanhouse, VP Sports Partnerships, IBM

Mike Shapiro , Partner, Comcast Ventures

Michael Hughes , Sr. Director, Digital Strategy & Business Development, USTA Ventures

NYC is giving Silicon Valley a run for its money and its tech talent. Startups are moving to NYC from SF, and the age of founders decreases by the minute. This event will explore how NYC is attracting tech, talent and growing the startup ecosystem. We will bring in founders who have picked up and moved from SF to NYC and hear why, what they are leaning into this new era and from thought leaders on the future of tech and talent in NYC.

For decades, workforce strategy followed a predictable rhythm: define roles, forecast headcount, hire, repeat. AI has broken that model. It is not just a tool for efficiency; it is a lasting shift in how work gets done, how roles evolve and how value is created. As AI takes on routine tasks, talent strategy must move beyond static, job-based planning toward a dynamic, skills-first approach grounded in human judgement and adaptability.

Moderated by LinkedIn, this discussion with Nickle Lamoreux, IBM SVP and CHRO, and other industry executives will explore how leading organizations are redesigning roles, redefining higher-value work and aligning hiring, learning and performance around skills to build continuously evolving workforces. The session will also highlight examples of how AI is reshaping work, what can be automated and where human expertise matters most.