SCRS Insights

The 2nd International Conference on Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence (ITAI 2026) was successfully organized in hybrid mode (in-person and online) by the Soft Computing Research Society and Cyber Security Department of Lasell University, Newton, Massachusetts, United States on March 21–22, 2026. The conference served as a premier global platform for researchers, academicians, and industry professionals to exchange ideas and present advancements in the rapidly evolving fields of information technology and artificial intelligence.

ITAI 2026 attracted an impressive 1,152 paper submissions from across the globe, out of which 115 papers were accepted and registered following a rigorous peer-review process, resulting in a selective acceptance rate of 10 percent. The review process was carried out by a distinguished panel of 687 reviewers, ensuring high academic and technical standards. The conference witnessed participation from 16 countries, including Bangladesh, Fiji, India, Iraq, Israel and Palestine, Italy, Mexico, Perú, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Sultanate of Oman, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam, highlighting its strong international presence and collaborative outreach.

The conference featured a comprehensive and intellectually enriching technical program, graced by the presence of numerous eminent speakers who are globally recognized authorities in their respective domains. Their exceptional expertise, visionary insights, and engaging deliberations significantly elevated the academic rigor of the event. Each session reflected a deep commitment to advancing knowledge, inspiring innovation, and fostering collaborative thinking. The confluence of such distinguished academicians and industry leaders created a vibrant platform for meaningful dialogue, critical reflection, and the exchange of cutting-edge ideas, making the conference a truly memorable and impactful experience for all participants. The program was structured across 20 specialized tracks covering key areas such as Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Big Data Analytics and Applications, Computer Vision, Cybersecurity and Information Technology, and other emerging techniques. The accepted papers will be published in the Scopus-indexed Springer book series Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems, ensuring global visibility and impact of the research contributions.

Among the distinguished plenary speakers were Prof. Milan Tuba from Singidunum University, Bruce McKinnon, Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship, and Maithily Erande, Strategic Operations and AI Product Leader, who shared valuable insights bridging academic research and industry applications. A key highlight of the conference was the panel discussion on the theme “Responsible AI in High-Stakes Industries: When Quality, Data, and Ethics Converge,” moderated by Asst. Prof. Varshitha Manjunath and Dr. James William Lincoln. The panel featured experts from leading organizations including Pfizer, Analog Devices, Harvard Business School, Oracle, and others, who discussed critical aspects of ethical AI, data governance, regulatory challenges, and quality assurance in high-impact sectors.

Further strengthening the leadership of the conference, Mr. Pavana Kumar Chandana from Northern Trust, Chicago, USA, was registered as a Program Chair for ITAI 2026. With his expertise in enterprise financial technology platforms, AI-driven system modernization, and large-scale cloud-native architecture, his association added significant industry perspective and strategic depth to the conference.

Overall, ITAI 2026 successfully brought together global expertise, fostered interdisciplinary collaboration, and reinforced its position as a leading international forum dedicated to advancing research, innovation, and responsible practices in information technology and artificial intelligence.