Kick off 2026 with ACM Austin + IEEE at our first tech meetup of the year, featuring deep-dive talks in AI, cloud-native systems, security, identity, and modern infrastructure engineering. This joint community event brings together engineers, researchers, students, and technology leaders from across Austin for an evening of learning, discussion, and networking.​ ​Join us on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM CST at The Center for Government and Civic Service, 1218 West Ave, Building 3000, Austin, TX 78701. The meetup will feature community-driven tech talks exploring cloud-native systems and scalable infrastructure, AI and GenAI platforms, DevOps and platform engineering, and security and identity trends shaping modern software and infrastructure engineering. Talks will emphasize real-world implementations, practical insights, and forward-looking ideas that are redefining today’s technology landscape.​ ​Featured Speakers & Talks​ - ​LLM-Driven Multimodal Biometric Authentication: 74% Performance Gain with Built-In Privacy Ravi Ray – Principal Member of Technical Staff, Salesforce - ​Building Autonomous Edge AI Systems: From Architecture to Production at Scale Samaresh Kumar Singh – Principal Engineer, HP Joyjit Roy – Lead Principal Technical Program Manager, KForce - ​Identity in the Age of AI: Phishing-Resistant Credentials Srinivasa Ravi Teja - ​Engineering Cryptography for the Post-Quantum Era Gurdeep Gill – Software Engineering Technical Leader, Cisco Systems ​Whether you’re an industry professional, researcher, student, founder, or technology enthusiast, this event is a great opportunity to learn, share knowledge, and connect with peers across the ACM and IEEE communities. You’ll meet practitioners working on real systems at scale and have space for open discussion and community networking. Call for Speakers We’re accepting tech talk proposals for upcoming ACM Austin + IEEE meetups. If you’re interested in sharing your insights or presenting your work, submit your talk here:​ 👉 (https://sessionize.com/austin-acm-meetup/luma%E2%80%8B) ​RSVP on Meetup and Luma: - ​Meetup: (https://www.meetup.com/acm-austin/events/312455949/luma%E2%80%8B) - ​Luma: (https://luma.com/vo8cnuwjluma%E2%80%8B) ​RSVP on both Meetup and Luma to help with planning and to stay updated on any announcements or schedule changes. Co-sponsored by: Akshay Agenda: ​Featured Speakers & Talks​ - ​LLM-Driven Multimodal Biometric Authentication: 74% Performance Gain with Built-In Privacy Ravi Ray – Principal Member of Technical Staff, Salesforce - ​Building Autonomous Edge AI Systems: From Architecture to Production at Scale Samaresh Kumar Singh – Principal Engineer, HP Joyjit Roy – Lead Principal Technical Program Manager, KForce - ​Identity in the Age of AI: Phishing-Resistant Credentials Srinivasa Ravi Teja - ​Engineering Cryptography for the Post-Quantum Era Gurdeep Gill – Software Engineering Technical Leader, Cisco Systems Austin, Texas, United States, 78701

As cloud environments grow more complex, security teams are increasingly turning to AI-driven automation. Fully autonomous systems, however, often introduce new risks, including reduced oversight and fragile decision-making in dynamic production environments. This session explores a practical approach to using AI agents in cloud security. Instead of enforcing changes automatically, agents observe cloud activity, analyze risk in context, and provide clear, actionable recommendations while humans retain control over final decisions. Through real-world examples such as IAM changes and infrastructure drift, the talk demonstrates where agentic systems add value and where they should be limited. Attendees will leave with a clear understanding of how to apply AI agents safely and responsibly in cloud security. [] Speaker(s): Venkata Nedunoori Agenda: 5:55 to 6:05 PM - Open for participants to enter and network. 6:05 to 6:10 PM - IEEE LM and CTCN Business meeting and speaker introduction. 6:10 to 7:25PM - Formal Program and Q&A. Virtual: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/532931

IEEE (PI)² Austin, January 27, 2026, Tech Meeting In-Person 6 PM Central / 7 PM Eastern at NEW LOCATION/ New Process!: Casa Chapala 9041 Research Boulevard Unit 100, Austin TX 78758 - Attendees select and purhase their own meals and drinks (a meal order is required). IEEE Student Members' meals are free! Two (shorter) talks! Abstracts: Reliability Focused Load Outage Assessment tool – SAIDI and SAIFI Improvements LCRA has been improving power grid reliability through equipment replacement projects using equipment/asset-based health assessment tools. While the equipment/asset-based reliability assessments are respected and widely accepted in the industry, the assessment focuses have been limited to high dollar assets such as transformers and circuit breakers rather than high impact areas. LCRA implemented a load outage assessment dashboard that analyzes LCRA outage data in a new and different way. It provides a holistic assessment for all transmission lines and substations from the perspectives of SAIFI and SAIDI reliability metrics. The new dashboard allows LCRA to identify reoccurring deficiencies that lead to high reliability impacts and high O&M costs. LCRA made a several improvement projects that were identified as great opportunities using the new dashboard. This effort led LCRA achieving the best performing year in 20 years for the LCRA SAIFI and SAIDI reliability performance metrics. Switching It Up: A New Innovative 3-Way GOAB Switching Structure Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) faced significant challenges with the traditional 3-WAY GOAB (Gang Operated Air-Break) transmission line switches, which led to operational and safety issues due to their tendency to bind, seize, and break. In response to these challenges, LCRA has pioneered a new innovative 3-WAY GOAB Alternative design that addresses these issues by enhancing flexibility in operation, safety by design, and overall reliability. Launched in 2024, the first installation of this innovative two monopole switching structure design not only meets all operational and maintenance requirements but also comes at a significantly lowers cost, footprint, and construction timeline compared to another 3-WAY Box Structure Alternative. This advancement represents a significant step forward in LCRA's commitment to improving infrastructure and service reliability through design solutions. For PDH hours, please email the (PI)² Secretary, [email protected]. Speaker(s): Nick Choi, Room: Ask for room location at front desk, Bldg: Unit 100, Casa Chapala, 9041 Research Boulevard , Austin, Texas, United States, 78758

Join us for our IEEE Central Texas Section Winter ExCom & SecCom meeting - All IEEE members in Central Texas Section are welcome to attend - Meet friends and make new friends! (Breakfast tacos etc. at 7:30 am) A primary goal is to approve the Central Texas budgets for all Central Texas Chapters and Affinity groups in the Treasurer's Report. To do this we need to meet our 50% ExCom quorum, in person or on Zoom. All CTS Chapters and Affinity Groups chairs are members of ExCom - if the Chair cannot attend, another officer can attend in the Chair's place! Chapters, Affinity Groups, Student Branches and Student Branch Chapter representatives are encouraged to attend and provide updates. Co-sponsored by: Andrew Bluiett Agenda: Tentative Agenda - Final will be emailed by Andrew Bluiett 7:30 am: Doors Open 8:00am: Breakfast Tacos, Round Rock Donuts, Fruit, Coffee, Tea, etc. available 8:45 -- - - Open Virtual meeting 9:00 - -- - Opening Remarks and Introductions 9:15 - - - Officer Reports {Items to be discussed and voted on for approval: 2026 Budgets} A quorum of 50% of the Executive Committee is needed 10:30 - - 15 minute Break 10:45 - - Chapter Reports 11:30 - AffinityGroup Reports 12:30 - - 30 minute Lunch Break 1:00PM - Student Group Reports 2:00PM - If needed, finish Chapter or Group Reports 3:00PM - - Adjourn .................................................................................................... For Chair and Committee reports, Semih Aslan will email the template. After you enter the chapter/affinity group name and your name, there are only 3 slides that need input from each chapter/affinity Group: - Mission & Leadership Team - Key Accomplishments/Planned in 2026 including meetings and events - Chapter Vitality & Help needed -- Other slides can be added as backup -- The Organization Leadership slides are there for your information and may be deleted Please send Andrew Bluiett and Semih Aslan a copy of your presentation by January 23rd. Suggested presentation file naming Format: Please name your file using the following format Chaptername YourName 2026 WINTER Planning Meeting.ppt For example, YP Report YourName 2026 WINTER Planning Meeting.ppt Please let Semih or Andrew know if you have any questions. Room: 1.214, Bldg: Ernest Cockrell Jr. Hall, 301 E Dean Keeton Street, Austin , Texas, United States, 78712, Virtual: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/532611

IEEE Central Texas Section Monthly ExCom Meeting Agenda: Officer Reports Committee Reports Virtual: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/532595

IEEE Central Texas Section Monthly ExCom Meeting Agenda: Officer Reports Committee Reports Virtual: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/532597

IEEE Central Texas Section Monthly ExCom Meeting Agenda: Officer Reports Committee Reports Virtual: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/532598

[] Early registration and discounted pricing ends at 11:59 PM on March 29th. Registration and payment for this workshop must be completed before 11:59 PM Sunday April 5, 2026 to ensure you will have the class materials in time for the workshop. Friday April 10, 2026 is the final day for registering, but without workshop materials. This two-day workshop will take a deep dive into NEC 2026 National Electrical Code changes. The NEC changes will be reviewed focusing on major areas of the power distribution systems which are affected by the latest changes rather than by the typical Article by Article, Section by Section methods. Examples will be worked through as a class to understand how these NEC changes will change how power distribution systems are engineered. This Workshop is intended for Electrical Designers, Estimators, and Field Engineers, and is highly recommended as a review supplement for those preparing to take the Electrical P.E. exam. In addition, there will be exhibits by industry manufacturers and suppliers. Attendees are advised to bring a laptop or notebook. Power and limited WIFI will be available. Upon completion of the workshop, participants will receive a PDH certificate for sixteen hours. The workshop fee includes breakfast tacos, breakfast beverages, break refreshments, and a copy of the 2026 NEC Handbook. Registration must be completed by Sunday, 4/05/2026 to ensure we will have the class materials in time for the workshop. Friday, 4/10/2026 is the final day for registering online. Walk-ins will be accepted but must have a check for the full amount made out to IEEE-CTS. Membership Status Thru March 29, 2026 After March 29, 2026 IEEE Member $400 $600 Non-IEEE Member $600 $800 IEEE Life Members & Students $300 $500 Why Engineers Should Attend This seminar bridges the gap between minimum code compliance and sound engineering design. Attendees will gain: - A clear understanding of how the 2026 NEC changes affect design decisions. - Insight into the intent behind new provisions to help ensure compliance, safety, and reliability. - Practical examples and applications relevant to commercial, industrial, healthcare, renewable energy, and EV infrastructure projects. - Awareness of how jurisdictional adoption of the NEC will impact upcoming design cycles. - Tools to identify potential design pitfalls before they become costly field issues. Who Should Attend: Electrical design engineers Consulting engineers AHJs and inspectors Project managers Facility engineer EPC contractors Anyone responsible for ensuring NEC compliance in electrical system design Co-sponsored by: James Mercier Speaker(s): Thomas Domitrovich, Agenda: Day 1 – Chapters 1–4: General Requirements & Foundational Changes This first day focuses on the core of the NEC—the general requirements applicable to almost every electrical installation. Key Topics Include: - NEC Reorganization for 2026 and Beyond Understanding structural changes to the code, future reorganization plans, and how these revisions align with modern system design, renewable integration, and digital infrastructure. - Arc-Flash Labeling Requirements (110.16) Review of updated labeling rules, new informational elements, coordination challenges, and the relationship with incident-energy calculations and equipment documentation. - Working Space and Access Requirements Important changes related to clearances, dedicated space, and equipment accessibility—critical for safe operation, maintenance, and compliance. - Load Calculation Updates Revisions to foundational calculation methods affecting services, feeders, and branch circuits, including new demand factors and technology-driven adjustments. - Electric Shock Protection Updated shock-protection provisions, evolving definitions, and requirements spanning GFCI, GFPE, and personnel protection throughout general installations. Day 2 – Chapters 5–8: Special Occupancies, Equipment, and Systems Day two transitions to special requirements and emerging technologies—areas experiencing rapid growth and significant code activity. Key Topics Include: - Interconnected Power Systems Requirements for interconnected sources, microgrids, and hybrid systems, with emphasis on coordination, grounding, and safety controls. - Healthcare Facilities Updates affecting essential electrical systems, patient-care spaces, wiring methods, and reliability expectations for critical healthcare infrastructure. - Photovoltaic (PV) and Wind Applications Latest changes influencing renewable-energy design, inverter-based systems, rapid shutdown, grounding, and overcurrent protection. - Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment Updated requirements addressing higher-power charging, bidirectional systems, load management, and infrastructure integration. - Electric Shock Protection in Special Applications Enhanced requirements for pools, fountains, agricultural buildings, marinas, and other environments with elevated shock hazards. Bldg: Nature's Treasures Community Event Center, 1055 N. IH-35, Austin, Texas, United States, 78753