Become an InfoQ Certified Software Architect in Emerging Technologies (ICSAET)

Level up your leadership in emerging tech with peers and a hands-on workshop

Senior software architects face a critical challenge: while companies are rushing to implement emerging technologies, few have validated expertise in scaling these solutions in the real world. Traditional certifications focus on theory, leaving architects to figure out practical implementation alone.

The InfoQ Certified Software Architect in Emerging Technologies (ICSAET) is for experienced senior software architects, blending QCon insights, cohort collaboration, and a practical half-day workshop into a leadership certification in emerging tech.

To join the ICSAET certification program, select the Conference (3 days) + Certification (half day), or upgrade your existing 3-day ticket on your My Account page.

According to The Future of Jobs Report 2025 from the World Economic Forum, “85% of companies plan to upskill their people and 59% of the global workforce needs training by 2030.”

Transform your software architectural practice

The ICSAET certification is your opportunity to:

• Demonstrate expertise in implementing emerging technologies at scale
• Stay ahead of the curve in a fast-changing dev environment
• Translate insights into practice in a hands-on, real-world problem-solving workshop.
• Develop strategic thinking to align tech with business goals.
• Enhance your professional brand as a senior technical leader
• Build lasting connections with fellow architectural leaders.

Learn from real-world enterprise implementations

Built on nearly two decades of working with international software teams, this unique certification delivers practical insights for implementing emerging technologies at scale.

Join a select cohort of experienced architects for InfoQ's hands-on certification program led by Wesley Reisz, 16-time QCon Chair and veteran architect. Learn from actual implementation scenarios shared at QCon San Francisco, including:

• Scaling architectures for massive traffic
• Integrating AI/ML in modern data architectures
• Real trade-offs in enterprise implementations
• Evolution of architectural practices

Your 4-day learning journey (November 17-20, 2025)

Before the event

• Join a carefully selected cohort of senior architects
• Join a private Slack group for early discussions
• Connect with your peer cohort

During QCon San Francisco Conference (November 17-19)

• Start with an exclusive cohort breakfast
• Learn from active senior software practitioners
• Explore real-world implementations of AI, scalable architectures, and cloud-native systems
• Attend focused lunch sessions with software leaders
• Participate in dedicated cohort discussions
• Network at dedicated conference social events
• Gain actionable insights for your team's roadmap

At the hands-on certification workshop (November 20)

• Solve real-world architectural challenges
• Collaborate with peers on practical solutions
• Apply conference insights to concrete problems

Learn with experienced peers

Join a carefully selected cohort of senior architects:

• Connect before the event in our private Slack group
• Start with an exclusive breakfast to meet your peers
• Share challenges during focused lunch sessions
• Build lasting relationships with fellow practitioners.

Program requirements

• Minimum 5 years of senior technical experience
• Full attendance at QCon San Francisco (November 17-19)
• Participation in certification workshop (November 20)

What's Included

• Full QCon San Francisco conference access
• Hands-on certification workshop
• Private Slack group access
• Private panels with experts
• Exclusive networking sessions
• ICSAET certification upon completion

About the Thursday Certification Workshop

Cap off your QCon San Francisco experience with an interactive Hands-on Certification Workshop designed exclusively for attendees pursuing the ICSAET designation. In this workshop, we’ll distill key insights from the past three days of the conference, surfacing emerging patterns, best practices, and real-world challenges discussed by leading architects and practitioners. Guided by our expert trainer, you’ll engage in breakout sessions where you’ll apply these learnings to practical challenges, refining your skills in real time. 

This session is your opportunity to synthesize knowledge, exchange ideas with peers, and solidify your understanding.

Why ICSAET is different

Practical, real-world focus

• Learn from innovators and early adopters solving today's challenges
• Work with real enterprise implementation scenarios
• Apply insights directly to your work

Peer learning

• Join a carefully selected cohort of senior architects
• Start building relationships before QCon in our private Slack group
• Share approaches across industries and scales
• Build lasting professional relationships

Professional growth

• Earn a recognized credential in emerging technologies
• Join a community of architectural leaders
• Join an ongoing community of practice for future challenges.

Prerequisites

• Bring your laptop, a notepad, and a pen.
• Your cohort will connect with the trainer via Slack a few weeks before the event.
• There are no mandatory materials to review before the event. Any pre-event materials shared on Slack will be optional.
• You are expected to attend all three days of the conference, including keynotes and presentations. While organizers may offer recommendations to enhance your experience, you are responsible for choosing which sessions to attend.
• Your cohort will meet on Monday morning, 30 minutes before the keynote begins.
• You will have a private lunch meeting with your cohort on Wednesday.
• Throughout the event, you will have opportunities to meet and interact with your trainer and cohort. These interactions are optional but strongly encouraged.
• You are highly encouraged to attend at least one unconference session.

Cohort size is strictly limited to ensure quality interaction and peer learning. 

To join the ICSAET certification program, select the Conference (3 days) + Certification (half day), or upgrade your existing 3-day ticket on your My Account page.