Training technologically empowered forces

Informed by the UK’s Strategic Defence Review and aligned with European and global operational priorities, this year’s theme covers how military and the defence enterprise can continue to evolve training and education to deliver superior defence capabilities. This is simply not about keeping pace with technological innovation but instead leading it.

Modern forces must achieve digital superiority and capability for multi-domain operations across all ranks. Through ITEC’s technology-enabled training and simulation environments, the demands of immersing advanced technologies, including AI and machine learning, will drive rapid fluency in readiness from the individual through to joint force integration.

Join ITEC 2026 to explore how allied forces can train as unified, interoperable teams in active pursuit of operational advantage.


 


Please note: Applications for ITEC 2026 will close on Monday 20th October 2025.

What are the conference tracks?

The Human Performance track will explore how we train the human at the speed of technology at every rank, considering areas such as cognitive resilience, decision-making and trust in autonomous or AI-enabled teammates. This theme will uncover how we rapidly train and upskill on the battlefield for the both the technologies they will use and those they will face. We invite you to submit proposals addressing topics such as human-machine teaming, competency-based training, performance assessment, training effectiveness analytics, and related topics. 

The future of effective defence training hinges on adaptable and advanced infrastructures. The Technologies and Architectures track will delve beyond industry standards to consider where the defence training sector can learn from other industries that are effectively leveraging emerging technologies to seamlessly integrate with pre-existing systems, to allow training to be effective for the modern battlefield. This track welcomes proposals related to open and cloud architectures, interoperable training environments, and solutions for agile learning.

Addressing the urgent need for agile training in rapidly evolving landscapes, the Emerging Solutions track will showcase forward-thinking concepts, pilot programmes and operational case studies that address the challenge of aligning training with both rapid technological advancement and evolving procurement cycles. This track welcomes proposals on training solutions of topics such as synthetic environments, autonomous and uncrewed systems, drones and counter-drone training, low-cost adaptive solutions. It also encourages insights from recent conflicts where the pace of battlefield innovation demands agile, continuous upskilling as systems are continuously replaced or upgraded.

Advantages of becoming a speaker

  • Showcase your research and innovation.
  • A platform to be seen as an industry thought leader.
  • Share your insight and raise awareness of the industry challenges
  • Be heard by a broad audience of senior leaders in the government, military and training technology community.
  • Receive mentorship and guidance from our committee members on your paper.
  • Attend the conference for free and network at the exhibition
  • Be in the running to win the Best Paper Award, if your application is successful.

Audience

Submission process and requirements

Speaker applications will close on Monday  20 October 2025. The technical conference committee will review all submissions and set the ITEC 2026 conference agenda. All applicants will be contacted in mid-November. If you have any questions, please contact ITEC.Speakers@clarionevents.com.

technical-paper

Stage 1
Abstract proposal

 

In a clear and concise paragraph, outline the technical challenge you want to address, the methodology for tackling it, key findings you have uncovered, and provide a comprehensive summary.  

This initial impression is crucial for grabbing the reviewers' attention and ensuring you secure your spot at the conference. 

 


What do I need to submit:

  • Abstract Title
  • Speaker Details 
  • Abstract proposal
    (250 - 500 words)
  • Key Takeaways
    (3 - 4 bullet-points)

tech-paper

Stage 2
Draft submission

 

If your abstract is accepted, you are invited to submit a full paper detailing your methodology and findings, highlighting their relevance to the field, and accompanied by engaging presentation slides in line with the template provided.

Your assigned moderator will review the draft paper and slides for clarity, quality, and engagement before final approval.


What do I need to submit:

Deadline: 18 December 2025

tech-paper

Stage 3
Final submission & presentation

 

After considering the assigned moderator’s feedback and updating your paper and slides accordingly, you will then have the opportunity to submit both for final approval by your moderator.

Your paper and slides will be shared with the conference delegates after the event.


What do I need to submit:

  • FINAL Technical Paper PDF
    (2 - 6 Pages)
  • FINAL Presentation (recommended up to a maximum of 20 slides)

Deadline: 20 March 2026

Please note: If successful in your submission, your abstract title and key takeaways will be used in marketing materials to promote your session at ITEC, this includes our agenda. In addition, please ensure you download and read the "ITEC Submission Guide" document below before applying to speak.

There will be no official recordings by event organisers of individual presentations and no guarantee of official photographs of presentations to follow after. 

 

The Chatham House Rule

The Chatham House Rule is not in effect by default. Speakers retain the right to invoke it at the beginning of their presentation and will last for the duration of that presentation only. At no point is recording equipment of any kind permitted to be used in any conference room. This includes filming and audio recording. Photos are permitted provided there is no flash.