IBM Z Day: What’s on Tap

The virtual event, set for Oct. 1, will feature more than 250 speakers and 80 sessions

IBM’s largest tech event of the year is a virtual affair. Scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 1, IBM Z Day will feature more than 250 speakers across 80-plus sessions, covering the latest on IBM Z and LinuxOne while addressing industry trends in topics ranging from AI to quantum-safe security. As of the afternoon (CT) of Sept. 26, more than 24,000 attendees had registered, according to IBM.

Among the wide assortment of talks are these three three keynote presentations:

Opening Keynote

IBM Z Today & Tomorrow - How AI Is Simplifying and Shaping Everything Including zNext

Time: 8 a.m. ET

Featured Speakers

• Ross Mauri, general manager, IBM Z and LinuxOne
• Skyla Loomis, vice president of IBM Z Software
• Julie Trevisan, director of retail lending development, Bank of Montreal

Industry experts will focus on the evolution of mainframe innovation fueled by AI, including integration across platforms and AI assistants that enhance coding and operational productivity. The session will provide a glimpse into the future with the “zNext” roadmap, showcasing advancements like the IBM Telum II and IBM Spyre Accelerator, which enable next-gen AI applications. Participants will also gain valuable insights from a real-world client that is deploying the technology and discover how to harness it for improved business outcomes.

AI Keynote

Revolutionizing Enterprises with AI on IBM Z: A Deep Dive into Cutting-Edge Trends and Use Cases

Time: 10 a.m. ET

Featured Speakers

• Elpida Tzortatos, IBM Fellow - CTO AI on IBM Z & LinuxOne
• Jothi Periasamy, principal data scientist, University of California Davis

AI experts will highlight the technology’s role in modern businesses, including AI capabilities on IBM Z and advancements that enable clients to scale across industries. Attendees will learn about the future IBM Z roadmap and explore AI use cases involving large language models (LLMs) and generative AI (genAI), including first-hand insights from the State of California DMV’s successful efforts to leverage AI on IBM Z. 

IBM Z Skills Keynote Panel

Creating a Successful Cross-Generational Team

Time: 1 p.m. ET

Featured Speakers

• Meredith Stowell, vice president, IBM Z Ecosystem
• Caitlin Mooney, IBM Champion, software engineer, JPMorganChase 
• Marianne Serra, IBM CIO Z Strategy & Platform

Attendees can prepare for IBM Z Day by registering and building a personalized agenda here, selecting from six tracks to craft their journey: IBM Z, AI & Data, App Modernization, Security, IBM Z Skills Acceleration and the Academic Symposium.

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