We catch up with Vanessa Formicola about what you can expect from the Architecture track at Devoxx UK 2026. Head HERE for a full rundown of Architecture sessions at this year’s conference.
Can you briefly explain what the Architecture track is all about at Devoxx UK, and why it’s such an important part of the conference?
The Architecture track is where we step back and reflect on the whole system, not just how we build it, but how we evolve it. It offers a more strategic and long-term perspective, focusing on the kinds of decisions that shape systems and teams for years.
That is why it is such an important part of Devoxx UK. Architecture is not just about immediate delivery; it is about sustainability, adaptability, and the consequences of the choices we make today.
What architectural themes kept showing up across the submissions this year?
It was an exceptionally strong year of submissions.
Unsurprisingly, AI dominated, but in a nuanced way. Some talks approached it from a deeply technical perspective, covering integration patterns, evaluation strategies, and system boundaries. Others explored it from a human angle, asking what remains uniquely ours as architects in an increasingly automated world.
There was a clear thread of reflection on the human aspects of architecture, including judgment, accountability, ethics, and the ability to navigate ambiguity. Many submissions were not just asking how to build with AI, but what it means for our role.
At the same time, foundational architectural themes remain strong. Event-driven architectures, microservices versus modular monoliths, and modernisation strategies continue to evolve, not as trends, but as enduring questions about trade-offs, complexity, and sustainability.
Overall, the submissions reflected a discipline that is both adapting to AI and re-examining its core principles.
What does this year’s Architecture lineup say about where the industry is heading?
It tells me the industry is in a moment of self-examination.
Architects are not just experimenting with AI; they are trying to understand their place within it. There is a real curiosity about what remains uniquely human in our role: decisions under uncertainty, ethical reasoning, contextual decision-making, and the ability to balance trade-offs that do not have clean data-driven answers.
And yet, the lineup also shows that the fundamentals remain essential. Conversations around event-driven systems, microservices versus monoliths, and modernisation strategies are still very present.
Where is the industry heading? Toward a blend of augmentation and responsibility. AI is expanding what is possible, and human architects are redefining what is essential. That tension, between capability and accountability, is shaping the next phase of our discipline.
Are there areas that feel especially fast-moving or “hot” right now?
Absolutely. The fastest-moving area is how we leverage AI for productivity, not just writing code faster, but accelerating design exploration, documentation, analysis, and decision support.
At the same time, there is a real risk of getting lost in the rush for speed. The question is not simply how much we can automate, but what we should automate.
That is why another hot area is more reflective: re-examining what humans uniquely bring to the table. Contextual judgment, ethical reasoning, the ability to navigate ambiguity, and the capacity to see systems not just as technical constructs but as human ecosystems.
AI-driven productivity is moving fast, but it is equally important to ensure we do not optimise for velocity at the expense of clarity, responsibility, and long-term thinking.
If you had to summarise the state of software architecture in 2026 in one sentence, what would it be?
In 2026, software architecture lives in the tension between accelerating automation with AI and uniquely human reasoning.
Is architecture actually getting more complex or are we really learning how to simplify it?
AI is introducing a new kind of complexity, and in some ways it resembles the most difficult aspects of legacy management. We are generating systems, integrations, and behaviours at a speed that may outpace our ability to fully understand and govern them. What is created quickly can also become difficult to reason about.
At the same time, it is incredibly exciting. AI is accelerating product building and decision-making in ways we have never experienced before. It gives us leverage.
What looks like simplification, with fewer manual steps, faster delivery, and automated reasoning, may actually be a shift to a different layer of complexity. The surface feels smoother, but the underlying system becomes richer and more intricate.
Architecture is becoming more complex, but it is an exciting complexity, one that challenges us to raise our level of thinking rather than retreat from it.
Who do you think will get the most value from attending these sessions?
The Architecture track is for anyone shaping or influencing systems, whether formally as an architect or informally as a senior engineer, tech lead, or platform engineer.
This year’s sessions focus on understanding complexity, balancing trade-offs, reasoning about long-term evolution, and navigating the human–AI tension. If your work involves making decisions that impact how systems grow, scale, or are maintained, you will gain insights into both practical approaches and broader architectural thinking.
Ultimately, it is most valuable for anyone who wants to design systems that teams can realistically own, evolve responsibly, and use as a foundation for future innovation.
What excites you most about Devoxx UK 2026 overall?
What excites me most is the sheer diversity of topics, the quality of the speakers, and the impeccable organization by the team. In just a few days, you get a comprehensive view of what you need to know right now, plus insights you did not even realize you were missing, and perspectives from disciplines you had never considered before.
It is both fun and formative, a rare mix of inspiration, learning, and discovery in one place.
If someone is on the fence about attending, what would you say to them?
Devoxx UK 2026 is valuable for anyone involved in building, delivering, or shaping software, from engineers and tech leads to managers and platform teams. It is not just about tools or patterns; it is about gaining perspective on how systems, teams, and technology evolve together.
You will step back from day-to-day pressures, see the broader landscape, explore emerging trends, and come away with insights that inform the decisions you make, whether technical, organizational, or strategic. In just a few days, you gain exposure to knowledge you did not know you needed, ideas from other disciplines, and a chance to connect with a community navigating the same challenges.