UXINDIA Design Leadership Week 2026 invites bold, generous leaders to share the real stories behind how you are shaping design in the age of AI.
Across the Leadership Summit and Rising Leaders Forum, we are curating talks that go beyond inspiration and reveal the actual work: the decisions, trade‑offs, experiments, failures, and outcomes that show what could possibly go right when design leads.
Across the Leadership Summit and Rising Leaders Forum, we are curating talks that go beyond inspiration and reveal the actual work: the decisions, trade‑offs, experiments, failures, and outcomes that show what could possibly go right when design leads.
You do not need a formal leadership title.
We are looking for people who act like leaders: you step up to challenges, align people around a direction, and lead change. Your talk should demonstrate this leadership through a concrete case study or project, not generic theory.
Design Leadership Week 2026 brings together two complementary pillars of the ecosystem.
For practicing and senior leaders.
Grand keynotes and plenary talks primarily attended by industry professionals. These sessions frame the theme in terms of strategy, business impact, and organizational change.
Two parallel tracks designed for depth and focus:
Track A – Design Leadership: scaling design orgs, design ops, product collaboration, AI‑driven change in practice.
Track B – Design Entrepreneurship: founder journeys, venture building, business models, design‑led differentiation.
Mentorship sessions, portfolio and career clinics.
Design pitch presentations with feedback from leaders.
Masterclasses focused on practical skills (storytelling, working with AI, stakeholder management, foundational leadership).
* By submitting, you agree that our curation committee may place your talk where it will create the most value, which may be different from the track you select initially.
Choose one primary category that best fits your story. Leadership is the common thread in all categories.
Share how you have reimagined, accelerated, or disrupted design practice in your organization.
We are particularly interested in how AI is challenging your current practice and how you are intentionally responding.
For entrepreneurs and founders with a design‑first approach.
Your story should help attendees at a crossroads see how they might build something of their own.
For leaders exploring AI and future‑forward technologies in real work.
We are not seeking generic “AI trends” talks; we are seeking lived experience.
For social entrepreneurs, innovators, and intrapreneurs using design for social good.
Show how design produced meaningful, lasting change—and how others can adapt your approach.
Grounded in your own experience and real work, not hypothetical scenarios.
Clearly linked to one category and to the theme “Designing What Could Possibly Go Right”.
Contains clear, concrete takeaways that participants can apply.
Includes challenges, failures, and what you would do differently, not a perfect marketing story.
Fit with the chosen category and the overall theme.
New thinking, non‑recycled content, based on real cases with substance.
Demonstrated experience in design, product, tech, or social innovation.
A focused narrative with a clear “one big idea”.
Potential to change how people think or what they do next.
Capacity for audience interaction and willingness to iterate with our curation team.
After evaluation, talks are placed using a clear programming logic that balances depth, clarity, and audience fit.
Placement is based on audience value, not only on where you ask to be slotted.
As a community‑driven, not‑for‑profit conference, we invest as much as we can back into the experience and access for our speakers.
A complimentary ticket to attend UXINDIA Design Leadership Week 2026 on 23, 24, 26 & 27.
Workshops are not included in the complimentary ticket and may require a separate purchase.
An invitation to an exclusive speaker dinner, with curated opportunities to connect with fellow speakers, partners, and community leaders.
Presence on the UXINDIA 2026 website and channels as a featured speaker.
Professional photos and session recordings (where available) that you can reference and share.
We will cover travel for Grand Keynote and Plenary Session speakers.
Accommodation and any additional expenses can be discussed individually, subject to budget and policies.
UXINDIA is run by a not‑for‑profit organization. To keep the event accessible and sustain our community initiatives, we are not able to offer honorarium for talks.
We deeply value the time and expertise of our speakers and focus our resources on access, visibility, and meaningful connections.
Your contribution directly supports scholarships, student access, and community initiatives throughout the year.
Speaker invitation announcement
Submissions form opens
Deadline for submissions
Shortlisted submissions announced
Iteration 1 review
Iteration 2 review (final content)
Final speaker list and talk slots announced
Note: Final presentation decks are targeted to be complete by end of July 2026.
Prepare your answers using the fields below. When you are ready, submit your application.
Final talk submissions open on 24th April.