Code is cheap.
Design is not.
Abstract is a one-day conference in San Francisco for those who care about the art of software.
As the price of code approaches zero, the value of design and architecture steadily increases, and is the key differentiator in the success of engineers and engineering projects.
Abstract is the conference for people who care about engineering, simplicity, elegance and good abstractions. Come share ideas on engineering principles, managing ambitious projects, and the areas of engineering where humans are deeply leveraged.
Speakers from
James
CowlingCo-Founder & CTO, Convex
John
MaedaCVP Engineering, GitHub Design & Microsoft CoreAI Design and Research
Zeno
RochaFounder & CEO, Resend
Seth
RaphaelHead of AI Ergonomics, Convex
Meagan Rose
GamacheDirector of Product, Developer Platforms, Cloudflare
Luke
WhitingHead of Ops and GTM, Convex
Jamie
TurnerCo-Founder & CEO, Convex
Diana
TobeyExecutive Design Director, IDEO
Josh
PuckettCo-Founder, Iteration
Shona
DuttaDesign Strategist
Angel
StegerVP of Design, Wealthfront
Paul
BakausCEO, Renaissance Geek
Jean-Denis
GrèzeCo-Founder & CEO, Town
David
CramerCo-Founder & CPO, Sentry
Theo
BrowneFounder & Creator, T3 Chat & T3 Stack
Schedule
Doors Open, Breakfast & Coffee
Kickoff
Diana Tobey
- 01
James Cowling
Co-Founder & CTO, Convex
The End of Understanding and the Dawn of Good Abstractions
The comprehension gap between what a system does and how it actually works is widening, fast. Responsibility for the scale, simplicity and maintainability of technology rests in the hands of API and systems designers.
- 02
Panel Discussion
Everyone's a Designer Now. Now What?
Design leaders on what taste, craft, and the job itself look like when anyone thinks they can design with AI.
Panelists
Josh
PuckettShona
DuttaAngel
Steger
Moderator
Paul
Bakaus Morning break
- 03
John Maeda
CVP Engineering, GitHub Design & Microsoft CoreAI Design and Research
Product Simplicity
A simple recipe for making better products now that AI is blurring the lines between designers, product managers, and engineers, and everyone is losing their minds.
Lunch
with band
- 04
Panel Discussion
Nobody Agrees About Agent Development
Agents are either the future of engineering or a very expensive way to write bugs. This panel settles nothing.
Panelists
Jean-Denis
GrèzeDavid
CramerTheo
Browne
Moderator
James
Cowling - 05
Zeno Rocha
Founder & CEO, Resend
Craft in the Age of AI
Everyone can ship software now. Almost nobody can make it feel special. This talk is about the details that survive when code becomes a commodity.
Afternoon break
- 06
Seth Raphael
Head of AI Ergonomics, Convex
Sufficiently Advanced Magic
Moving from analog, to digital, from assembler to interpreted, and now from functions to recursive intelligence unlocks a whole new paradigm of creating, and is blurring the lines between technology and magic.
- 07
Fireside chat
Meagan Rose Gamache
Director of Product, Developer Platforms, Cloudflare
Luke Whiting
Head of Ops and GTM, Convex
Do One Thing Well
How infrastructure will evolve for the products we're building now.
- 08
Jamie Turner
Co-Founder & CEO, Convex
I've Never Been Paid for Code (and Neither Have You)
There might be some room for humans left. How AI is revealing what software engineering was all along—and why the profession isn't ending, but finally maturing.
Closing session
Diana Tobey
Afterparty
with DJ Brycon
End
FAQ
Basics
- Abstract is a one-day conference in San Francisco for humans who care about the art of software and design. We're bringing together engineers, founders, and systems design folks for a day of honest talks about craft, simplicity, and good abstractions. Hosted by Convex. Code is cheap. Design isn't.
- Engineers, founders, and systems design folks. People who've built and scaled real systems. People who care how software is designed, not just how fast it ships. If that sounds like you, apply.
- Wednesday, September 2, 2026 at SFJAZZ, 201 Franklin Street, San Francisco. Doors open at 9:00 AM PT. The program runs from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with an after-party at the venue until 7:00 PM.
- A single track with a curated lineup. No sponsored talks. No sales pitches. Talks cover simplicity, good abstractions, systems design, design principles, and the past, present, and future of application development. Every speaker is on stage on merit, picked by the Convex team.
If you need a place to stay, here are hotels near SFJAZZ that we’d recommend. In addition to being close to the conference, they’re in great neighborhoods for exploring the city.
Hotel Neighborhood Distance Hotel Kabuki (opens in Google Maps) Japantown 1 mile Hilton San Francisco SoMa (opens in Google Maps) SoMa 1.6 miles Hotel Zetta (opens in Google Maps) SoMa 2 miles Hotel Zelos (opens in Google Maps) SoMa 2 miles InterContinental San Francisco (opens in Google Maps) SoMa 2 miles Hotel Castro (opens in Google Maps) The Castro 2 miles Hotel Luma (opens in Google Maps) Mission Bay 2.5 miles SFJAZZ has no dedicated lot. These garages and lots are nearby.
Lot Location Notes Performing Arts Garage (SFMTA) (opens in Google Maps) 360 Grove St Weekdays 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM. 598 spaces. Height 6 ft 9 in. 110 Franklin Street lot (opens in Google Maps) 110 Franklin St Just south of the venue California Parking (opens in Google Maps) Hickory and Franklin Next to the venue Place 2 Park (opens in Google Maps) Oak and Franklin One block south Civic Center Garage (SFMTA) (opens in Google Maps) 355 McAllister St Weekdays 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM. 843 spaces. Height 7 ft. Opera Plaza Garage (opens in Google Maps) 601 Van Ness Ave Valet Place 2 Park (opens in Google Maps) Polk and Hayes Central Parking System (opens in Google Maps) Polk and Hayes Tower Valet Parking (opens in Google Maps) Gough and Grove Valet Street parking in Hayes Valley is metered and tight on a weekday. Nearest transit is Civic Center BART and Van Ness Muni Metro.
Registration and applying
- Attendance is free, but you must apply. Submit your application at abstract.convex.dev. Seats at SFJAZZ are limited, so apply early.
- We read every application. What we're looking for is simple: an interest in software design, engineering, and systems thinking. We want a mix of roles, experience levels, and companies in the room. Approval isn't first-come, first-served, and it has nothing to do with whether you use Convex. You'll hear back by email either way.
- No. Seats are limited, and an application is a request to attend. If you're approved, you'll get a confirmation with next steps. If we can't offer you a spot right away, you'll be placed on the waitlist.
- Abstract is free, so there's nothing to refund. If you're approved and can no longer make it, email marketing@convex.dev so we can give your seat to someone on the waitlist.
- Full access to the day's talks, meals and refreshments during the event, and the after-party at SFJAZZ.
Getting involved
- The lineup is curated by the Convex team, and there's no open CFP. Have a talk that fits the theme? Email marketing@convex.dev with a short pitch. We read everything.
- Abstract has no sponsored talks, and stage time is not for sale. If you want to support the event in other ways, email marketing@convex.dev and we'll talk.
- No livestream. Abstract is an in-person event, and the best seats are in the room. Talks will be recorded and posted after the event. Apply at abstract.convex.dev to be there live.
- Speakers and the agenda will roll out over the summer. We'll email registered attendees as more speakers are added.
Accessibility
- SFJAZZ Center is an accessible venue. Tell us about any accessibility needs when you apply, or email marketing@convex.dev and we'll work with you to support your participation.
- Meals will cover a range of dietary needs.
Still have questions about Abstract? Contact us at marketing@convex.dev.
