The 2026 DAC, Chips to Systems Conference, Comes to Long Beach for the First Time with Record Growth as AI Reshapes Chip and System Design

Advance Registration Now Open thru June 26, 2026

LONG BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As artificial intelligence fundamentally transforms semiconductor design and system innovation, DAC, The Chips to Systems Conference, will convene in Long Beach, California, at the Long Beach Convention Center, July 26–29, 2026, for the first time in its 63-year history. It marks a milestone year defined by record participation and an AI-driven shift across the design ecosystem.

The 63rd DAC 2026 reflects a market at an inflection point, with record growth in both the Research and Engineering Tracks and a rapidly expanding focus on AI-enabled design. This year’s conference features over 550 technical sessions and an exhibition of 120+ companies, including 15 first time AI-focused design companies, underscoring the industry’s transition toward intelligent, software-defined design flows.

“DAC 2026 highlights a pivotal moment where AI is no longer augmenting design, it is redefining it,” said Renu Mehra, General Chair, DAC. “We’re seeing record growth in both research and engineering participation, alongside an explosion of innovation from AI-driven startups and established leaders. From silicon to systems, the entire design stack is being reimagined.”

Keynotes: From Quantum Systems to AI-Driven Infrastructure

DAC 2026 keynotes spotlight the convergence of AI, advanced computing, and next-generation system design:

• John Martinis, CTO & Co-Founder, Qolab and 2025 Nobel Laureate in Physics
  “From Fundamental Science to Building a Superconducting Quantum Computer”
• Dr. Baaziz Achour, EVP and CTO, Qualcomm
  “Design Automation for Emerging AI: From AI Chips to Datacenter”
• Jan M. Rabaey, Professor Emeritus, UC Berkeley
  “Engineering Life – Where Biology and Technology Meet”

SKYTalks: Scaling AI from Silicon to Systems

DAC SKYTalks bring executive insight into how AI is reshaping semiconductor innovation:

• Sunday Welcome SKYTalk: Timothy Costa, General Manager and Vice President of computational engineering, NVIDIA
  “AI Supercomputing Meets EDA: Accelerating the Future of Chip and System Design”
• Lalitha Immaneni, VP, Semiconductor Research & Development, APTM, Intel
  “From Silicon to Systems: Heterogeneous Integration as the Engine of AI Performance”
• Dr. Huiming Bu, VP, Global Semiconductor, IBM Research
  “From 7nm to 7Å: A Retrospective Looking into the Future”
• Artour Levin, VP, AI Silicon Engineering, Microsoft
  “EDA Opportunities in Building High Performance AI Accelerators”

AI at DAC: From Research to Real-World Deployment

• 40% of the technical program focused on AI and design
• 26%+ growth in both Research and Engineering Track submissions
• Significant expansion in AI-driven design, verification, and system optimization
• 15 AI-focused exhibitors showcasing next-generation tools and platforms
• Startups advancing agentic AI, generative design, and autonomous workflows

Technical Program: Record Growth Signals Industry Shift

DAC 2026 delivers its most comprehensive technical program to date:

• All Research Track Sessions reflecting record submissions (30.7%) and acceptance growth
• Global representation - 23+ countries represented throughout the program
• Engineering Track Sessions spanning design, IP, systems, and software
• Manuscript, Work-In-Progress (WIP) and Late Breaking News (LBR) poster sessions highlighting emerging innovation
• Increasing convergence of AI, systems, and software design methodologies

Exhibit Floor: The Center of AI-Driven Design Innovation

The DAC exhibit hall, open Monday through Wednesday starting at 10:00 AM, will feature:

• 120+ exhibitors across EDA, IP, AI, and semiconductor ecosystems
• Startups driving next-generation innovation
• 15 AI-first companies redefining design automation
• Daily Exhibit Forum presentations
• DAC Pavilion SKYTalks, TechTalks, panels
• DAC Pavilion Analyst talks Monday and Tuesday
• Engineering Track posters and Poster Gladiator competition

Networking and Community Engagement

DAC will host evening networking events throughout the conference, bringing together leaders from across academia, industry, and the startup ecosystem to foster collaboration at scale.

Registration and Additional Information

Registration for DAC 2026 is now open, with multiple pass options including Full Conference, Engineering Track, and complimentary I LOVE DAC expo passes. Advance registration ends June 26, 2026. For more information, visit: www.dac.com

About DAC

DAC, The Chips to Systems Conference is recognized as the premier event for the design of electronic circuits and systems and for electronic design automation (EDA) and silicon solutions. A diverse worldwide community representing more than 1,000 organizations attends each year, represented by system designers and architects, logic and circuit designers, validation engineers, CAD managers, senior managers and executives to researchers and academicians from leading universities. Close to 60 technical sessions selected by a committee of electronic design experts offer information on recent developments and trends, management practices and new products, methodologies and technologies. A highlight of DAC is its exhibition and suite area with approximately 150 of the leading and emerging EDA, intellectual property (IP) design infrastructure and electronic design ecosystem providers. The conference is sponsored by the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and is supported by ACM's Special Interest Group on Design Automation (ACM SIGDA) and IEEE's Council on Electronic Design Automation (IEEE CEDA).

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