Enterprise Connect 2026 Tackles AI's Promise and Peril

LAS VEGAS, NV – January 15, 2026 – As enterprises grapple with the dual-edged sword of artificial intelligence, Enterprise Connect has announced a 2026 agenda squarely focused on navigating the complex intersection of innovation, risk, and trust. The leading industry conference, set for March 10–12 at Caesars Forum, will bring together leaders in communications, IT, and customer experience to confront the most pressing challenges of the day, from generative AI adoption to the growing threat of deepfakes.

The newly unveiled session lineup underscores a significant industry shift. While the initial hype around AI, particularly generative AI, has given way to what Gartner analysts term the "Trough of Disillusionment," the commitment to leveraging the technology remains strong. The challenge has evolved from simple exploration to strategic, secure, and value-driven implementation. Enterprise Connect 2026 appears poised to address this next phase directly.

The AI Dilemma: Innovation vs. Insecurity

A central theme of the conference is the inherent tension between AI's transformative potential and its capacity for misuse. This is most evident in the session titled, "Can You Hear Me Now? Deepfakes, Trust and the Future of Enterprise Communications." The session promises a critical examination of synthetic media risks, a threat that is no longer theoretical.

Recent industry events have provided a stark warning. One multinational firm was famously defrauded of $25.6 million through a deepfake video conference, and security experts report that enterprise-targeted deepfake activity has surged by over 350%. With Forrester predicting that spending on deepfake detection technology will grow by 40% by 2026, the need for proactive defense strategies has become a C-suite priority. This session aims to equip leaders with the knowledge to protect authenticity and maintain trust in both internal and external communications.

Balancing this cautionary tone is a pragmatic approach to AI adoption. The session "Forget the Moonshot: Build Your AI Strategy One Micro Win at a Time" directly counters the pressure for massive, revolutionary AI projects. Instead, it advocates for an incremental, high-impact approach, aligning with the industry's move toward building foundational AI capabilities and securing tangible ROI. This reflects a growing maturity in the market, where sustainable, scalable AI delivery is valued over ambitious but often-unrealized "moonshots."

Beyond Buzzwords: A Push for Practical Results

The 2026 program signals a clear commitment to actionable insights over abstract theory. "The Enterprise Connect 2026 agenda is intentionally designed around the decisions communication leaders are making right now," said Kara Shukas, the event's director, in a recent announcement. "Whether our attendees are evaluating platforms, deploying AI or modernizing customer experience, this content helps them move conversations forward."

This focus on practical application is woven throughout the agenda. The CX Keynote Panel, "Does More Technology = Happier Customers?", will debate the true impact of massive tech investments on customer satisfaction, a crucial question for organizations pouring capital into CX platforms. Another forward-looking session, "Platform Wars & Peace: 2026 State of Interoperability," addresses the persistent challenge of siloed systems, aiming to help businesses build truly connected collaboration ecosystems.

Further sessions, such as an in-depth look at Microsoft Teams and Copilot and a deep dive into reliability engineering for mission-critical contact centers, reinforce this theme. The goal is to provide attendees with practical frameworks and unfiltered debate on what is—and isn't—working inside the modern enterprise, empowering them to make informed decisions that drive measurable results.

A Bellwether for Industry Progress

With a history spanning over 35 years, Enterprise Connect has long served as a barometer for the enterprise communications and collaboration sectors. The topics and technologies highlighted on its stage often predict the strategic priorities for the years to come. The event's "Best of Enterprise Connect Awards" program is a key component of this role, spotlighting the most significant innovations shaping the market.

The prestige of these awards is well-established, with past overall winners including industry giants like NICE, RingCentral, and Microsoft. The awards don't just recognize market leaders; they often signal emerging trends. For example, recent finalists have included solutions like TC&C's Deepfake Guard and Theta Lake's governance platform, highlighting the industry's growing focus on security and compliance in the AI era. The 2026 awards, with categories for CX, AI, AV/video innovation, and security, will once again anoint the products and solutions poised to have the greatest impact.

Organized by Informa, a FTSE 100 global events leader, the conference leverages deep expertise in curating content-rich experiences for specialist communities. This backing ensures a vendor-neutral platform where thousands of senior-level decision-makers can gain clarity and a competitive edge in a fast-moving market.

The Human-Centric Future of Work

While technology is the clear focus, the agenda also reflects a deep understanding of its human impact. The inclusion of speakers like futurist Heather E. McGowan, who specializes in human-centric workplace strategy, and executives from major enterprises such as Mastercard and Johnson Controls, points to a conversation that extends beyond technical specifications.

These leaders bring real-world perspectives on implementing technology in ways that empower employees and enhance, rather than alienate, customers. Sessions led by analysts from firms like Omdia, Metrigy, and Opus Research will provide data-driven context, helping attendees connect the dots between technological capabilities and business outcomes. The diverse speaker roster, spanning vendors like AWS, Genesys, RingCentral, and Zoom, alongside enterprise practitioners and independent consultants, ensures a 360-degree view of the challenges and opportunities ahead.

As the lines between telecom, unified communications, customer experience, and AI continue to blur, the need for a unified forum to discuss strategy and share best practices has never been greater. Enterprise Connect 2026 is positioning itself as that essential meeting ground, offering a platform for leaders to cut through the hype and build the future of connected, intelligent, and trustworthy enterprise communications.