CWIC 2026 Sessions Confirmed: Networks of Intelligence Takes Shape
Taking place on 30 April at the Wellcome Genome Campus, this year's conference, Networks of Intelligence: Where Connectivity and Innovation Converge, explores how advanced connectivity is enabling transformation across every sector of the economy.
From autonomous systems to quantum technologies, our sessions examine the critical questions facing the connectivity ecosystem today.
Communication Service Providers at the Crossroads: AI Infrastructure and Autonomous Networks examines whether telcos can evolve beyond connectivity to become AI infrastructure providers, whilst simultaneously navigating the complex journey towards autonomous networks. Can CSPs redefine their role in the digital economy, or will they be outpaced by hyper-scalers and legacy constraints?
Advanced Manufacturing: Autonomous Production and the Rise of Dark Factories explores how AI, automation, and robotics are transforming manufacturing into intelligent, self-optimising operations. As dark factories emerge (fully automated facilities operating 24/7), telcos have an opportunity to deliver the platforms and managed services that enable next-generation industrial production.
Operational Advantage: AI, Autonomy, and the Future Fight addresses how connectivity and artificial intelligence are transforming defence infrastructure into a decisive operational asset. As armed forces deploy autonomous capabilities at speed, this session examines cognitive dominance, network resilience, and the contested electromagnetic spectrum.
What Bold Ideas Will Shape the Next Decades of Technological Progress? showcases cutting-edge start-ups developing breakthrough technologies with potential to transform industries and society. Founders and technical leaders present the products, platforms, and systems emerging from frontier science and engineering.
Connecting Places: Better Services, Stronger Economies moves beyond smart city theory to examine what actually works. Featuring the entire value chain, from telcos and regional authorities to public sector leaders, this session shares real-world case studies on solving connectivity challenges and transforming communities.
The Autonomous Financial Nervous System: Connectivity, AI, and Machine-Speed Trust explores how finance is evolving into an autonomous operating system that senses risk and acts in real time. Leaders discuss the networks, intelligence, and trust frameworks required to operate and regulate in this new financial era.
Securing Our Future: Building the Talent Pipeline tackles the challenge of attracting young talent to connectivity careers as AI and quantum capture the next generation's imagination. The panel examines what drives talent choices today and how to build clearer pathways into advanced connectivity and telecoms careers.
The Quantum Internet: Promise and Peril investigates whether the quantum internet represents a genuine paradigm shift or overhyped research. As quantum communications move from science fiction to serious research, who will lead the quantum backbone? And what are the geopolitical implications?
Visit the CWIC website to learn more about the sessions, start-up zone exhibitor applications, sponsorship packages, and tickets.