IEEE DCAS 2026 highlights convergence and the future of computing at SMU Lyle

SMU Lyle School of Engineering welcomed global leaders in circuits and systems for IEEE DCAS 2026, a three-day conference that underscored the rapid convergence of emerging technologies shaping the future of computing.

Held April 10–12 on the SMU campus, the conference brought together researchers, industry professionals and students from around the world. With a record number of submissions and more than 150 oral and poster presentations, the event marked one of the most significant editions in its history.

The program reflected a field evolving beyond traditional boundaries. Topics ranged from artificial intelligence and edge systems to hardware security, resilient systems and quantum computing — all increasingly interconnected rather than advancing in isolation.

Himanshu Thapliyal, Rhines Professor of Quantum Informatics and professor of electrical and computer engineering at Lyle, served as general co-chair of the conference and emphasized the importance of this interdisciplinary momentum.

“As General Co-Chair, it has been incredibly rewarding to witness the level of innovation, collaboration and interdisciplinary convergence at IEEE DCAS 2026,” Thapliyal said. “The strong participation and the integration of emerging areas such as quantum computing, cybersecurity and AI, coupled with circuits and systems, reflect both the maturity of the field and the exciting opportunities that lie ahead. SMU Lyle is at the forefront of technological innovation in these areas.”

The conference featured 11 keynote presentations and two panels, creating a platform for dialogue across disciplines and sectors. A central theme was how advances in AI, quantum computing and cybersecurity are collectively reshaping electrical and computer engineering.

A highlight of the event was the co-located Applied Quantum Computing and Quantum Circuits and Systems workshop, which showcased the shift of quantum computing toward a full-stack systems discipline. The workshop brought together expertise spanning devices, circuits, systems and algorithms — signaling growing real-world applications and industry relevance.

Discussions also explored the transition from classical to quantum security, framing it as a systems-level challenge that spans infrastructure, hardware and cyber-physical environments.

University leadership played a visible role throughout the event. Wally Rhines opened the conference with a keynote address, while Dean Nader Jalili welcomed attendees during the conference banquet and presented awards recognizing outstanding research and contributions.

As IEEE DCAS 2026 concluded, it left a clear message: the future of computing will be defined by collaboration across disciplines, institutions and industries. For SMU Lyle, the conference reinforced its position as a hub for innovation at the intersection of these rapidly evolving fields.