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TL;DR

DevFest 2026, the world’s largest community-led tech conference backed by Google, runs from October 1 to December 31 with over 800 events across 115 countries. The theme centers on building, securing, and scaling AI agents, highlighting Google’s focus on responsible AI and developer skills.

Google-backed DevFest 2026 will run from October 1 through December 31, featuring more than 800 community-led events across 115 countries. The event aims to bring nearly a million developers and builders together to explore the latest in AI, cloud, and app development, under the theme “Build, Secure, Scale: Developers and Builders in the Agentic Era.”

DevFest is an annual, multi-month global conference season organized by Google Developer Groups (GDGs). Each event is independently curated by local communities, allowing regional customization based on local tech ecosystems. For 2026, Google emphasizes hands-on experimentation, including live codelabs, workshops, and agent-athons, focusing on tools like Gemini, Google Cloud, Firebase, Android, Flutter, and Angular.

The theme underscores the shift towards AI agents capable of executing complex tasks, with a focus on building, security, and scalability. Google states the season aims to address the rapid pace of AI development while emphasizing security and responsible AI guardrails. While the full event list and registration details are yet to be published, developers are encouraged to follow updates via the DevFest Event Directory and social channels using #DevFest.

At a glance
announcementWhen: scheduled from October 1 to December 31…
The developmentGoogle announces the return of DevFest 2026, a global community-led conference with over 800 events planned worldwide, emphasizing AI and security.
At a glance
announcementWhen: announced ahead of the season; events r…
The developmentGoogle has announced that DevFest 2026 will run from October 1 through December 31, 2026, with over 800 events across 115 countries under a new agentic-era theme.

Why the AI and Security Focus Matters in 2026

This year’s DevFest highlights Google’s recognition of the growing importance of responsible AI development. By framing the season around building, securing, and scaling AI agents, Google aims to promote safe deployment practices amidst rapid innovation. For developers, this presents a valuable opportunity to gain practical experience with Google’s latest AI tools at no cost, potentially shaping the future of AI applications and infrastructure.

For the broader tech community, the emphasis on security alongside speed signals a shift in industry priorities, acknowledging that faster development cycles must be balanced with robust safety measures. Google’s global outreach through DevFest could influence platform adoption and standardization, impacting the AI ecosystem for years to come.

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Background and Evolution of DevFest 2026

DevFest has grown into the world’s largest community-led technology conference, with over 800 events planned for 2026, surpassing previous years in scale and scope. Organized by Google Developer Groups (GDGs), the event series has historically offered regional customization, focusing on local developer needs, from Android to cloud computing and AI.

In recent years, Google has increasingly emphasized AI and responsible development, culminating in the 2026 theme that centers on AI agents. Previous seasons have concentrated on cloud, mobile, and web development, but this year’s focus on building secure, scalable AI agents reflects the industry’s broader concerns about AI safety, ethical deployment, and infrastructure readiness.

“DevFest 2026 underscores our commitment to fostering hands-on, responsible AI development at a global scale.”

— Thorsten Meyer, Google AI spokesperson

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Unconfirmed Details and Potential Developments

Many specifics about the 2026 season remain unconfirmed, including the exact list of host cities, event dates, and registration procedures. It is also unclear how much of the program will be in-person versus virtual, or whether major product announcements, such as new Gemini features, will coincide with the season. Attendance figures are projections, not verified counts, and the format of upcoming agent-athons is still unspecified.

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Next Steps for Developers and Participants

Developers are encouraged to monitor the DevFest Event Directory for updates on local events, agendas, and registration details. As the season approaches, Google and GDGs are expected to announce specific schedules, speaker lineups, and potential product news. Participants should prepare by familiarizing themselves with Google’s AI and cloud tools, and follow social media channels using #DevFest for real-time updates.

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Key Questions

When does DevFest 2026 start?

DevFest 2026 begins on October 1, 2026, and runs through December 31, 2026.

How can I find local DevFest events?

Participants should visit the DevFest Event Directory to locate nearby events and register.

Will there be product launches during DevFest 2026?

Google has not announced specific product launches, but updates on AI tools like Gemini and Google AI Studio may occur during the season.

Is DevFest open to all skill levels?

Yes, Google states that DevFest is designed for a broad audience, from experienced developers to emerging solution builders.

Will the events be in-person or virtual?

The exact format remains unconfirmed; local GDGs will determine whether their events are in-person, virtual, or hybrid.

Primary source: Google AI · via ThorstenMeyerAI.com

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