ACM Data Conclave Draws Many Tech Professionals During Seattle Tech Week 2026

The ACM Seattle KDD Chapter is the local community for Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining, bringing together professionals and experts through networking events where members share cutting-edge research, practical learnings, and the latest trends shaping the field of data, AI and engineering across the Seattle Tri city area.

The ACM Data Conclave is a practitioner-driven gathering that brings tech leaders together for deep, meaningful dialogue at the intersection of data, AI, and real-world impact. Featuring keynotes, fireside chats, panels, and posters, the conclave emphasizes production-grade solutions and the human dimensions of working with data at scale.

On July 30, 2026, the ACM Data Conclave made a powerful statement at Seattle Tech Week, drawing over 75 attendees to the Everest Reception Hall in Bellevue, Washington. The event, with Hari Shankar Raghavan, an Analytics Manager from Amazon, as host, delivered an afternoon of rigorous, practitioner-focused content that lived up to its reputation for fostering candid conversations and rapid innovation showcases.

Muazma Zahid, Group Product Manager at Google Data Cloud, opened the conclave with her keynote “Building AI Systems You Can Trust.” Zahid challenged the audience with a stark reality: 95% of enterprise generative AI pilots deliver zero measurable ROI, and 85% of failed AI projects trace back to data quality problems rather than model selection. She introduced the “Trust Stack,” a five-layer framework covering Data, Grounding, Evaluation, Observability, and Safe Orchestration, arguing that reliable AI comes from systems, not just smarter models. Her analogy of a brilliant pilot alone versus a good pilot supported by checklists, ATC, and weather radar resonated deeply with the practitioners in the room. Zahid left the audience with actionable principles: treat data handoffs like API contracts, enforce citations in AI outputs, run evaluations like unit tests, and scope agent permissions like a new hire’s laptop access.

Miriam Alvarez-Pintor, Senior Data Scientist at Boeing with over 13 years of experience and President of the ASA Puget Sound Chapter, delivered the second keynote titled “Understanding Technology and Unlocking the Art of the Possible.” Alvarez-Pintor took the audience on a journey from foundational data concepts through advanced AI, tracing the evolution from deterministic mathematics to statistics, machine learning, and modern artificial intelligence. She introduced the CRISP-DM framework for structured data science projects and addressed critical challenges including data quality, bias and fairness, hallucinations, and regulatory compliance. With 2 patents pending and 3 trade secrets to her name, Alvarez-Pintor brought credibility and accessibility in equal measure, equipping attendees with vocabulary and frameworks to responsibly leverage modern technology in their organizations.

The Managerial Fireside Chat, ” Discussion on Evolving Tech Roles in the AI Era” proved to be a highlight that kept the audience engaged well past its allotted time. Moderated with precision, the panel featured Kom Kanjad, Business Intelligence Manager at Amazon, who leads data science, engineering, and analytics team supporting Amazon’s consumer businesses; Sean Gerardi, Sr. Manager of Business Intelligence at Amazon, who bridges technology and finance; and Jennifer Kansal, Manager, Insights & Optimization, Boeing, whose work in safety-critical aviation maintenance provided compelling contrast. The panel explored how GenAI has transformed hiring priorities, organizational design, and the very nature of data leadership. The most electric moment came when panelists debated AI guardrails: Jennifer’s regulated aerospace perspective clashed productively with Amazon’s move-fast culture, revealing the tensions every data leader navigates. The discussion on whether GenAI makes managers less able to evaluate their team’s work sparked candid admissions and practical advice that resonated across the room.

The Poster Exhibition showcased 10 outstanding technical contributions from practitioners across themes: Generative AI, Machine Learning and Data Architecture and Automation. Best posters in each theme were scored by keynote speakers and panelists, and winners (Rohit Nagpal, Praveen Kumar Sanka and Rohan Vardhan) were recognized in a dedicated awards ceremony.

With over 75 professionals gathering for an afternoon of keynotes, panels, poster presentations, and networking, the ACM Data Conclave 2026 proved to be a resounding success. Chaired by Dharmateja Priyadarshi Uddandarao, Sravani Lingam, Manushi Sheth, and Alekhya Challa, the event demonstrated the strength and depth of the Pacific Northwest’s data community, bringing together voices from various tech industries, and beyond for the kind of cross-industry dialogue that moves the field forward. The closing networking session buzzed with energy as attendees exchanged ideas, debated approaches, and forged connections that will outlast the event itself. For anyone inspired by what the conclave represents, the ACM Seattle KDD Chapter welcomes new members year-round. Fill out the chapter’s interest form to stay connected, receive updates on upcoming events, and become part of a growing community that is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with data.