CIO & CISO Think Tank

Most trend forecasts rely on vibes, but in times of complexity and noise, the clearest throughline is still to "follow the money". This session will trace where tech and cybersecurity investments have recently flowed to steer the industry, and how cybercriminals have been monetizing their operations to shape the threat landscape. By comparing industry funding patterns with the financial incentives driving threat actors, we’ll highlight the real forces influencing cybersecurity in 2026 and where defenders should focus next.

Cybersecurity isn’t just a technical challenge—it’s a human one. With mounting pressure, 24/7 threats, and increasing accountability, today’s workforce is under immense stress. This leadership roundtable explores the intersection of mental wellness, organizational resilience, and insider risk. Topics include burnout detection, human error trends, building psychologically safe teams, and fostering a culture where security isn’t just enforced—but owned. Learn how executives are rethinking workforce sustainability in security, with practical strategies for retention, performance, and mental clarity at every level.

In a world of rapid digital disruption, the most successful organizations are those where business strategy and IT execution move in lockstep. This panel brings together business and IT leaders to explore how to align long-term growth objectives with the right mix of emerging technologies—from AI and cloud platforms to data-driven decision-making and modern application architectures.

Panelists will discuss how to break down silos between departments, drive innovation through collaborative planning, and build agile digital infrastructures that scale with evolving business needs. Expect insights on joint KPIs, governance frameworks, and the cultural shifts required to turn IT from a support function into a strategic growth enabler.

Agentic AI, autonomous systems that perceive, reason, and act with minimal human intervention is poised to redefine how work gets done. As these intelligent agents move beyond experimentation into enterprise-scale deployments, organizations must prepare to fundamentally rearchitect their digital environments.

This panel will explore how leaders can operationalize agentic AI to drive efficiency, creativity, and strategic advantage while preserving oversight, governance, and trust. Discussion topics will include designing workflows around autonomous decision-making, managing human-agent collaboration, and navigating emerging risks such as bias, security, and operational drift. Join us as we unpack what it truly means to lead in an era of intelligent, action-oriented AI and how to ensure these agents serve both your innovation goals and core business values.

In an era of escalating cyber threats, evolving attack surfaces, and accelerated digital transformation, traditional security models are no longer enough. This keynote will explore what it means to build cyber resilience in today’s complex environment—where speed, adaptability, and business alignment are paramount. From securing hybrid and multi-cloud environments to integrating AI-driven threat intelligence, we’ll examine how leaders can future-proof their security strategies while enabling innovation. Learn how to shift from reactive defense to proactive resilience, ensuring your organization can not only withstand but thrive amid disruption.

As agentic AI systems evolve from experimental tools to enterprise-grade digital workers—capable of making decisions, taking actions, and adapting in real time—they introduce a new paradigm of both possibility and risk. Unlike traditional automation, agentic AI operates with greater autonomy, raising urgent questions for security leaders: How do we ensure control? How do we manage risk when systems learn, act, and adapt independently?

This panel will explore the security implications of deploying agentic AI across business operations—from data privacy and decision integrity to real-time threat mitigation and adversarial AI risks. We'll dive into the intersection of governance, identity management, and AI observability, and how CISOs can build frameworks that safeguard both the systems and the outcomes.

Explore the transformative potential of Generative AI in this forward-looking session, where we will delve into how this cutting-edge technology is set to revolutionize business and technology landscapes. We will discuss emerging trends, anticipated advancements in the next 12-24 months, and their impact on various industries. Learn about practical applications of Generative AI, from enhancing customer experiences to driving innovation and operational efficiency. Our experts will also address the ethical considerations, regulatory challenges, and best practices for successful AI integration. Join us to gain insights into how Generative AI can unlock new opportunities and shape the future of your organization.

2026 is an era dominated by digital transformation, AI, and automation, it’s easy to overlook the one constant that truly drives progress: people. Technology may enable change, but leadership—and impact come from human connection. As roles evolve and teams become increasingly cross-functional, skills like listening, influence, adaptability, and collaboration are now as critical as technical expertise.

Today’s CIOs, CISOs, and technology leaders are expected to do more than deliver innovation. They must communicate across the business, lead diverse teams, and navigate uncertainty with clarity and empathy. Emotional intelligence, storytelling, active listening, and resilience are no longer optional—they are core leadership capabilities in a fast-moving, high-stakes environment.

This shift is especially evident in the UK and uniquely so in London, a place defined by creativity, reinvention, and cultural diversity. In London, the ability to connect across perspectives isn’t just a professional advantage; it’s a necessity. As technology and business continue to converge, the city provides a powerful backdrop for exploring how human-centered leadership is shaping the future of tech.