The Design Automation Chips to Systems Conference is the preeminent international event for professionals involved in electronic design, system architecture, and EDA. Formerly known simply as the Design Automation Conference or DAC has evolved over more than six decades into a forward-looking forum that spans the entire spectrum from silicon chips to complex systems hence its current tagline “Chips to Systems.”
I have attended DAC since the 1984 event in Albuquerque New Mexico right out of college. It is my favorite conference and the absolute best networking event for the EDA IP industry. It is a deep technical and academic program with numerous networking events. I have done book signings, panels, and presentations at DAC for many years and hopefully many more. My beautiful wife and I will be there enjoying the sun and fun in Long Beach. First on our list is to tour the Queen Mary!
This year DAC will be held at the Long Beach Convention Center July 26 through July 29, 2026. This coastal venue marks a vibrant new chapter for the conference, bringing its signature blend of deep technical content, industry showcases, and professional networking to Southern California.
Scope and Mission
DAC serves a broad and diverse audience that includes system architects, chip designers, software engineers, validation specialists, and researchers from industry, academia, and government labs. Participants come from thousands of organizations worldwide to explore breakthroughs in design methods, automation tools, and emerging technologies.
The core mission of the conference is to advance innovation in how electronic systems are conceived, implemented, verified, and integrated. Covering everything from transistor-level circuit design to large-scale systems deployment and optimization, DAC stimulates cross-disciplinary dialogue and collaboration among specialists in hardware, software, and automation.
Technical Program and Tracks
The heart of DAC’s value lies in its technical program, which for 2026 will include a wide range of sessions, panels, and presentations addressing both fundamental research and practical engineering challenges. Key tracks include:
- Research Track, highlighting original scientific and engineering breakthroughs.
- Engineering and Practice Tracks, which focus on real-world design problems, tools, and workflows.
- Workshops and Tutorials, offering more focused, hands-on learning and discussion opportunities.
- Special Sessions and Panels, bringing varied perspectives on hot topics such as AI integration in hardware design and security.
Technical sessions selected by expert committees cover emerging topics ranging from AI-driven design automation to chiplets and exotic system architectures. There is also growing interest in fields like quantum computing hardware and cloud-native design environments.
Papers accepted for presentation are typically published in the conference proceedings and indexed in major digital libraries such as IEEE Xplore and the ACM Digital Library, providing a lasting academic impact.
Exhibition and Industry Engagement
Alongside the technical tracks, DAC features a large exhibition floor where leading companies in EDA, semiconductor IP, hardware tooling, and services demonstrate the latest technologies. Traditionally, around 150 exhibitors showcase solutions that span design automation, verification, architecture tools, and integrated hardware components.
The exhibition fosters direct interaction between vendors, users, and innovators, promoting knowledge transfer and potential partnerships. In addition to traditional booths, the event includes exhibitor forums and pavilion sessions where companies present deeper technical content right on the show floor.
Networking and Career Impact
DAC is also a vital networking venue. Attendees can connect through social events, informal meetups, and mentoring sessions, making it a critical space for early-career engineers and researchers to build relationships with established industry leaders. The diversity of participants—from startups to global corporations, and from graduate students to senior executives—creates a rich ecosystem for idea exchange.
In recent years, DAC has increasingly emphasized real-world impact and collaboration, encouraging submissions and participation that bridge academic research with industrial practice. This balance helps ensure that new methodologies and tools can move from concept to implementation faster.
Trends and Themes for 2026
Though specific session topics are continually finalized, some clear themes have emerged in the lead-up to 2026:
- AI in EDA and System Design – exploring how machine learning, including agentic and generative models, is reshaping design flows.
- Security and Trustworthy Systems, particularly as chips are embedded in critical infrastructure.
- Chiplets and Advanced Integration, reflecting modular hardware approaches.
- Cross-Domain Integration, such as hardware-software co-design and cloud-driven design methodologies.
Bottom line: DAC 2026 continues a long tradition of being at the forefront of electronic design innovation. It combines rigorous technical content, broad industry participation, and a global community of practitioners and researchers—all under the theme of “Chips to Systems.” Whether you are an engineer, researcher, or business leader, DAC offers a unique opportunity to learn, connect, and help shape the future of electronic systems.
Also Read:
Pushing the Packed SIMD Extension Over the Line: An Update on the Progress of Key RISC-V Extension
Verification Futures with Bronco AI Agents for DV Debug
Last Call: Why Your Real‑World Lessons Belong in DAC 2026’s Engineering
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