Celebrating the Future of STEM: AAEOY 2025-2026 Conference Unites Innovators in Silicon Valley

Overview of the Event The 2025–2026 Asian American Engineer of the Year (AAEOY) Award and Conference is set to take place on September 18–19, 2026, at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Silicon Valley. Organized by the Chinese Institute of Engineers, this flagship event promises to bring together thought leaders from the realms of technology, engineering, and education. The conference highlights the importance of innovation and mentorship, aiming to inspire the next generation of engineers and tech leaders. ### Noteworthy Honorees This year's conference will spotlight distinguished figures in the industry. Mr. Lip-Bu Tan, the CEO of Intel Corporation, will receive the Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award. Dr. Arun Majumdar, Dean of the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, is to be honored with the Distinguished Leadership in Science and Technology Award. Recognizing their contributions, these leaders embody the conference’s commitment to celebrating excellence in engineering and technology. ### Conference Highlights The event kicks off on Friday, September 18, with an exclusive Pre-Award Welcome Dinner, designed to honor this year's award recipients and corporate sponsors. The main conference on Saturday will feature keynote presentations, technical discussions, and mentorship opportunities. Attendees can look forward to two primary tracks: Engineering the AI-Native Future: This track examines the transformative role of AI in technology and business for aspiring engineers. A keynote address by Jeremiah Owyang, a General Partner at Blitzscaling Ventures, will explore the future of AI start-ups alongside insights from several industry leaders. The Engineering Lifecycle: Tailored for students and families, this track offers guidance for those interested in pursuing careers in STEM fields. It will feature inspirational talks from Dr. Arun Majumdar and Johnny Ho, co-founder of Perplexity AI, motivating the young generation to consider engineering and technical professions. Additionally, a Youth Mentorship Panel titled "The Rising Stars Homecoming" will bring together past CIE scholarship recipients who are now thriving in prestigious companies and universities. This panel aims to provide guidance on navigating career paths in technology and engineering. ### Engaging Activities Throughout the day, attendees can participate in various activities, including the 2026 AAEOY National AIGC Video Challenge, which spotlights students' creative work in generative AI storytelling. An exciting raffle will also take place, offering attendees a chance to win impressive prizes such as a round-trip ticket from SFO to Taipei, an Apple iPhone, and dining experiences. The evening culminates with a grand Award Ceremony Banquet, honoring the 2025–2026 AAEOY awardees from numerous distinguished organizations, including Western Digital, Nvidia, and Samsung Electronics, among others. This is an opportunity to celebrate and acknowledge the contributions of the awardees to their respective fields. ### Executive Insights Dr. Tony Liu, Chair of the Executive Committee for the AAEOY Award and Conference, emphasized the importance of this gathering, noting that it has recognized over 300 influential individuals since its inception in 2002. The conference not only honors distinguished professionals but also serves as a platform for mentorship and inspiration, enriching the experiences of young attendees. ### Registration Details The conference is now open for public registration, and individuals from high school students to seasoned professionals are encouraged to participate. Whether you're looking to enhance your knowledge, network with leaders, or explore new opportunities, the AAEOY Conference provides a unique experience for all attendees. More details and ticket reservations can be found at www.aaeoy.org. Join us in Silicon Valley for this essential gathering of innovators and leaders in the fields of engineering and technology, and help shape the future generation of STEM professionals.