August 2026 Tech Upload
NEW Digital News
Registration Now Open for the 2026 NEW Digital Alliance Tech Summit
The NEW Digital Alliance with our Summit Partner, Thrivent, are excited to announce that registration is now open for our annual Tech Summit, taking place on Wednesday, September 30, from 1:00–5:00 p.m. at the Best Western Premier Bridgewood Resort Hotel in Neenah.
Matt Kirchner:
National technology workforce thought leader and host of The TechEd Podcast
This year’s theme, The Next IT Workforce: How AI Is Reshaping Technology Careers, Teams & Leadership, shifts the conversation beyond the technology itself to focus on the people behind it. As artificial intelligence continues to transform organizations, how are technology roles evolving? What skills will matter most? How should organizations prepare their teams, establish governance, and responsibly adopt AI while continuing to innovate?
Attendees will hear from nationally recognized keynote speaker Matt Kirchner, along with regional technology leaders who will share practical, real-world examples of how their organizations are preparing for an AI-enabled future. The afternoon will conclude with an interactive panel discussion where attendees can engage directly with our speakers. The event is free to attend, but advance registration is required. Additional speakers will be announced soon.
Sponsorship Opportunities Available
We’re currently seeking sponsors to help make this event possible and continue offering it free of charge to technology professionals across Northeast Wisconsin. Sponsorship opportunities include AI Innovation Sponsors, Supporting Sponsors, and Exhibitor Tables. This is an excellent opportunity to showcase your organization while supporting the development of our region’s technology workforce.
Not able to sponsor financially? We also welcome door prize donations, including technology items such as TVs, laptops, tablets, smart devices, and other tech-related prizes. These giveaways are always a highlight of the event and help create an engaging experience for attendees.
To inquire about sponsorship and donation opportunities, email: info@newdigitalalliance.org.
To learn more, register for the event visit our Tech Summit webpage:
We look forward to seeing you on September 30!
Thank you to our investors.
The NEW Digital Alliance would like to thank the following for their support as Executive Level investors!
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Upcoming northeast Wisconsin IT events
NEW AI Navigator Workshop
Tuesday, August 4
9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Bubolz Nature Preserve, Appleton
Organizer: WMEP & MKE Tech Hub Coalition’s Synapse Initiative
TechTalk: Three Era’s of Technology
Thursday, August 6
5:00 – 6:30 p.m.
Venue 404, Oshkosh
Organizer: Amplify Oshkosh
Zero Trust Starts Here: Strengthening Security with Modern Network Access Control
Thursday, August 13
10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Virtual (Zoom)
Organizer: EDCi Webinar Series
Sip & Sync in De Pere
Wednesday, August 19
8:00 – 9:00 a.m.
The Exchange Coffee, De Pere
Organizer: Women in Technology (WIT) Wisconsin
Cybersecurity Roundtable: AI & Security
Tuesday, August 25
12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Virtual (Zoom)
Organizer: NEW Digital Alliance
Oshkosh Chamber Small Business B(AI)sics
(Photo credit: Oshkosh Chamber)
The Oshkosh Chamber is partnering with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation to bring Small Business B(AI)sics to Oshkosh! Small Business B(AI)sics is a national initiative from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, with support from Google, that aims to equip small businesses with practical AI skills.
AI adoption among small businesses has more than doubled since 2023. Entrepreneurs using AI report saving time, improving customer service, and unlocking new growth opportunities. Small Business B(AI)sics aims to train 40,000 U.S. entrepreneurs over the next three years through a mix of in-person workshops and digital learning resources.
We’re excited to be selected as a local partner to host Small Business B(AI)sics, a FREE, nationwide AI-training program from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, with support from Google.
If you’re a small business owner or entrepreneur in Oshkosh, this is your opportunity to attend live, in-person sessions to learn the essential AI skills needed to grow your business and strengthen local economies, no tech background required.
What you’ll learn:
- Build a strong foundation: From data protection to ethical AI use, learn AI basics and best practices
- Save time and boost efficiency: Discover AI tools that work with platforms you already use
- Improve what’s working: Use AI to analyze your business and identify growth opportunities
- Get actionable steps: Walk away with a plan to implement AI in your business immediately
Labor Market Insights: July 2026
(Photo credit: Carex)
If the June labor market were a World Cup match, it would be one of those oddly beautiful 0-0 draws where nobody scores, everyone claims it was “strategic,” and the announcers spend 90 minutes praising defensive shape because there is very little else to talk about. Employers added 57,000 jobs in June, well below expectations, while April and May payrolls were revised downward by a combined 74,000 jobs. Not exactly a bicycle kick into the top corner.
HBS Obtains Microsoft Low Code Application Development Specialization
(Photo credit: HBS)
Low-code application development is transforming how organizations build business solutions by enabling applications and automated workflows to be created more quickly and with less traditional coding. Using platforms like Microsoft Power Apps and Power Automate, organizations can streamline processes, improve productivity, and empower business users to solve challenges faster while reducing development time.
However, successful low-code initiatives require more than speed. As applications become more critical to business operations, organizations must also establish strong governance, security, and scalability practices to ensure solutions remain reliable, maintainable, and aligned with organizational standards.
The article highlights Heartland Business Systems’ recent Microsoft Low Code Application Development Specialization, recognizing its proven expertise in helping organizations implement secure, scalable low-code solutions that maximize the value of Microsoft Power Platform investments.
Other IT News
Govern AI Before It Governs You
(Photo credit: The Australian)
By John Marcante
The Australian
As organizations continue to integrate AI into everyday operations, governance is quickly becoming a business priority—not just an IT responsibility. The article highlights how AI introduces new risks around data privacy, security, bias, regulatory compliance, and decision-making transparency, making executive oversight more important than ever.
Rather than viewing AI governance as a barrier to innovation, leading organizations are using it to build trust and ensure AI is deployed responsibly. Establishing clear policies, defining accountability, and creating oversight processes can help organizations maximize AI’s benefits while reducing potential risks.
As AI adoption accelerates, organizations that proactively develop governance frameworks will be better positioned to innovate confidently, meet evolving regulations, and earn the trust of employees, customers, and stakeholders.
The 10 Biggest Generative AI News Stories of 2026 (So Far)
(Photo credit: CRN)
By Wade Tyler Millward
CRN
From artificial intelligence upstarts making early forays into the channel and enterprise sales to growing opportunities for solution providers in AI PCs and improving AI agent governance and observability, 2026 is seeing the AI market reach new heights and a new level of maturity as a lasting shift in how people work.
CRN has put together some of the biggest generative AI news stories to emerge so far in 2026 to help cut through the noise around AI and identify what solution providers need to focus on.
Sean Catlin, executive vice president and global head of strategy at Quebec-based Salesforce and AI solution provider OSF Digital, told CRN in a recent interview that OSF has been working with customers in a forward-deployed agentic motion that promises value in four weeks as part of its differentiation in the channel.
Gartner Top 10 Strategic Technology Trends for 2026
(Photo credit: Gartner)
Technology continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace, and Gartner’s Top Strategic Technology Trends for 2026 highlights the innovations expected to have the greatest impact on organizations over the next several years. This year’s trends are organized around three themes: building the foundation for AI-driven innovation, orchestrating increasingly intelligent digital ecosystems, and strengthening security and resilience.
Among the technologies making Gartner’s list are AI-native development platforms, multiagent systems, confidential computing, physical AI, and preemptive cybersecurity. Together, these trends signal a shift from experimenting with emerging technologies to integrating them into core business strategy and operations.
For technology leaders, the report serves as a roadmap for prioritizing investments, preparing for future disruption, and identifying opportunities to create long-term business value through innovation.
Quantum is Already Compromising Your Data, You Just Can’t See It Yet
(Image credit: Getty Images)
By Chris Harris, Thales
TechRadar
While practical quantum computers capable of breaking today’s encryption may still be years away, the threat is already influencing cybersecurity planning. The article explains the growing concern over “harvest now, decrypt later” attacks, where cybercriminals or nation-state actors collect encrypted data today with the intention of decrypting it once quantum computing technology becomes powerful enough.
Because sensitive information such as intellectual property, financial records, and personal data may need to remain secure for years or even decades, organizations are encouraged to begin evaluating their cryptographic systems now. Preparing for post-quantum cryptography isn’t about responding to an immediate threat—it’s about ensuring long-term data security and resilience.
As quantum computing continues to advance, organizations that proactively assess their encryption strategies and develop a transition plan will be better positioned to protect critical data and stay ahead of emerging cybersecurity risks.