All 2026 Conference Sessions

Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo™ 2026 conference dives deep into key topics for CIOs and IT leaders around AI, executive leadership, cybersecurity, operating models and more to help you address your organization’s mission-critical challenges.

2026 Conference Theme

Ignite Intelligence

AI is no longer a differentiator — it’s now part of the foundation. CIOs must take the artificial out of intelligence, combining human ingenuity with AI to unlock value, drive agility and navigate disruption. A human-centered approach is key to leading the intelligent enterprise.

Explore our conference sessions below, all developed with this theme in mind.

Hear from long-term Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo attendees on why they keep coming back.
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There are hundreds of sessions happening each day. Filter to see sessions that align with your role and interests. After registering for the conference, craft your agenda and book priority sessions — all through Conference Navigator.

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Thursday, 12 November, 2026

09:00 AM - 09:45 AM CET

Guest Keynote: The Virtuoso Code - Mastering a Mindset for Extraordinary Performance
Felipe Gomez, Keynote Pianist
To be a virtuoso musician is to create magic for audiences. How do they do it – time and time again? Keynote pianist Felipe Gomez unpacks the habits of virtuoso musicians that can be applied to elevate performance in every aspect of business and life. He weaves magical piano performance with business insights and masterful storytelling to inspire audiences to embrace the three essential pillars of a virtuoso: Method, Attitude, and Passion. ... Show More Show Less

10:30 AM - 11:00 AM CET

AI Will Not Cause a Jobs Apocalypse, but It Will Unleash Jobs Chaos
Helen Poitevin, Distinguished VP Analyst, Gartner
CEOs and boards have outsized expectations about AI mathematically leading to job cuts. Join this session to learn what is real about the impact AI has on jobs, and how this differs across types of industries. Learn how to communicate this back to the C-suite, measuring the true risks AI has on jobs and how to apply realistic expectations as your organization navigates AI-driven transformation. ... Show More Show Less

10:30 AM - 11:00 AM CET

AI-Led Innovation: Disruptive Trends Techniques Used by High-Performing Innovators to Create Value Drive Growth
Tsuneo Fujiwara, Distinguished VP Analyst, Gartner
Innovation has now become AI-led, providing more value and growth to create transformative outcomes for high-performing CIOs and innovation leaders. AI-enabled innovation management platforms and techniques help generate, evaluate and implement more and better ideas, faster, supporting the execution and scaling of AI-led innovations to generate higher financial impacts. This session discusses recent cases, techniques and insights from mature innovators on how to achieve the desired business outcomes from innovation. ... Show More Show Less

10:30 AM - 11:15 AM CET

CIO Circle Roundtable: Competing in an AI-Shaped Economy: Optimize or Disrupt? (Multi-Group) (Repeat)
Yunus Ozdemir, VP, Executive Partner, Gartner
Kurt Muehlethaler, VP, Executive Partner, Gartner
As AI reshapes industries and business models, CIOs face a critical strategic choice — Should you focus on optimizing existing operations or disrupt your own business to lead in the new economy? Join this roundtable with your peers to explore how organizations are navigating this decision. ... Show More Show Less

10:30 AM - 12:00 PM CET

CIO Circle Workshop: Navigating the Tough Spots in Your AI Strategic Plan (Repeat)
Philip Christensen, Sr Executive Partner, Gartner
Wassim Azzi, Executive Partner, Gartner
Sampsa Korhonen, Sr Executive Partner, Gartner
No matter how fast or far you have gone on your AI journey, there is always an opportunity to refine, adapt and improve your strategy for maximum business impact. This workshop will focus on steps you can take as a CIO to alleviate common roadblocks and governance challenges to unlocking the transformative benefits of AI for your enterprise. ... Show More Show Less

10:30 AM - 12:00 PM CET

CIO Circle Workshop: Plan and Build the Human-AI Workforce (Repeat)
Kenneth Verlage, Executive Partner, Gartner
Michael Von Uechtritz Und Steinkirch, VP, Executive Partner, Gartner
Martín Piqueras, Contingent Worker, Gartner
CIOs must define an AI-driven talent strategy, measure workforce readiness, design the right balance of human and technological resources, scale human readiness for AI, and evolve labor force agility. This workshop will explore the key components required to accelerate your workforce evolution in the AI era. ... Show More Show Less

10:30 AM - 11:30 AM CET

Contract Negotiation Clinic: Lock in AI Value Within Your IT Services Contracts (Repeat)
Katarzyna Fonteyn, Director Analyst, Gartner
Vague contracts are the enemy of AI ROI. In this interactive clinic, stop hoping for value and start enforcing it. Learn to use the core framework to write 'AI as an actor' into RACI charts, mandate self-healing operations and negotiate the flexibility required for rapid technological change. ... Show More Show Less

10:30 AM - 11:30 AM CET

Contract Negotiation Clinic: Reduce Contract Risks in AI and GenAI Deals (Repeat)
Melanie Alexander, VP Analyst, Gartner
Ben Jepson, Director Analyst, Gartner
This session will explore the contractual risks associated with AI and GenAI software, as well as SaaS deals, including agentic AI. We will identify contract examples and negotiation strategies, examining contract terms from these vendors, LLM providers and IT services providers. ... Show More Show Less

10:30 AM - 11:00 AM CET

From Chaos to Control: How to Manage your Growing AI Costs
Galliopi Demetriou, VP Analyst, Gartner
Most IT value conversations fall apart because the business never owns the outcomes. This session shows CIOs how to shift from proving value to enforcing ownership — using financial structures, decision rights and renewal‑gate accountability to make leaders sign up for results. With AI and consumption‑based economics breaking traditional ROI, learn how to apply decision‑time guardrails, portfolio‑level value measures, and reinvestment logic to make value realization consistent, scalable and real. ... Show More Show Less

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“I have found Gartner Symposium to be a fantastic way to update my knowledge base through information and networking. It’s a real crucial tool in developing my and my organization’s strategic direction.”

Ian Dickens
Director of  ITS, London Met

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