Been to Autodesk University “AU” before? This is my 33rd or 34th? Then you already know what I’m talking about. You’re sitting in a session, someone pulls up their screen, and they’re doing the exact thing you’ve been hacking around for six months. You write it down, you go home, and you actually use it on a real project and share with your team. That’s the session worth traveling for. or meeting a member of the Autodesk product team and getting some of your questions answered or provide some feedback to shape the products your team uses, that’s worth every penny for AU.
AU is back. Las Vegas. September 15–17, 2026.
What’s on the agenda this year
AI is the big topic, and I get why some of you are already rolling your eyes. Every conference is an AI conference right now. But the framing here is less “watch this cool demo” and more “here’s where it actually fits into the work you’re doing.” That’s a different conversation, and one that’s been missing for a while.
Sessions are built around four areas this year. Getting practical value out of AI rather than chasing features. Tightening data workflows so your information stops living in disconnected places. Applying automation where it actually speeds things up without creating new problems further down the line. And closing the gap between design and construction teams, which is still where a lot of organizations are losing time on every single handoff.
Thinking about submitting a session?
The call for proposals “CFP” opens in early March. If you’ve been sitting on a workflow that finally clicked, a troubleshooting process that saved a project, or a lesson that cost you real pain to learn, that is a session worth submitting. You don’t need a polished story or a Autodesk-approved slide deck to get accepted. The sessions people actually remember at AU are specific. Here’s the problem/challenge, here’s what we tried, here’s what worked. Someone in that room needs exactly what you figured out, they just don’t know it yet.
Start thinking about it now. March comes fast.
Registration and early bird pricing
Registration opens in May. Get on the mailing list now if you want early bird access.
Is it worth going?
Depends on where you’re at. If everything is running smoothly and your workflows are locked in, maybe skip it unless having connections and networking with people like you is a value. I think it is one of the most valuable takeaways from AU and keeps you ahead of the curve by knowing what is coming and others are doing. But if you’ve got questions, you haven’t been able to answer, tools your team keeps fighting, or you’re trying to figure out how Anew Autodesk technology actually fits into an engineering environment without breaking what already works or learning which direction Autodesk is going it’s worth the trip.
The sessions are good. The exhibition hall is what it is to get a look at Autodesk ecosphere and technology. The conversations that happen between sessions, at lunch, reception events, waiting in line, those are usually where the useful stuff comes out. People talk more honestly in person than they do in a webinar chat box or discussion forum, lo and behold.
September 15–17. Las Vegas. See you there.
Cheers,
-Shaan.
