Events

Against the backdrop of the North Shore mountains, the tech world converged in Vancouver, Canada, from May 11-14 for the annual Web Summit Vancouver. With over 20,000 professionals in attendance, the event focused on navigating the constant stream of emergent innovation and the shifting nature of tech careers. Amidst the flurry of talks, our Tech Evangelist, David Savage, sat down with several digital leaders to pose a critical question: “Given how quickly new tools and technology are emerging, do you feel increased pressure to keep your own skills up to date, and lead from the front?” The consensus among these leaders was clear that the era of the purely administrative executive is fading, replaced by the necessity of the “builder profile”. Leading from the tip of the spear Our recent Tech Talent & Salary Report 2026 underscores a shift in leadership sentiment, revealing that 48% of technologists now rank a leader’s deep understanding of technology as one of their top three most valued traits. This isn't just a preference but a business imperative. Currently, 45% of tech professionals believe their leadership lacks a sufficient understanding of technology, which serves as a significant barrier to achieving organizational goals. Eric Wittman, CEO of VSCO, echoed this sentiment during his interview, stating that he must constantly question the "old skills" that got him to his current position to make room for new, transformational ones. He emphasized that in this era, leaders must "lead from the front" by trying out the technology themselves. The profound shift to "builder" backgrounds This transition is most visible in specialized roles like the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). Nancy Wang, CTO at 1Password, noted that the profile of a CISO is changing from a traditional compliance background to a "builder background". She highlighted colleagues who are engineers by training, using their technical depth to design reliable, scalable platforms rather than just checking boxes. The pressure to be proficient is felt across the board table. As AI becomes the backbone of every business area, our Tech Talent & Salary report found that on a global average, 40% of technologists feel that their role is under threat from AI. Leaders who remain hands-on can better navigate this anxiety. Avery Pennarun, CEO of Tailscale, shared that his designs are vastly improved after "a night of arguing with Claude," suggesting that those who don't learn these tools are wasting a massive opportunity. Continuous learning is the new standard Our Tech Talent & Salary report highlights that the drive for proficiency isn't limited to junior staff. Senior managers are now just as likely as entry-level apprentices to keep their skills up to date through conferences, workshops, and professional development. This mirrors the behavior of Nick Muy, VP of Engineering at Scrut Automation, who noted that AI has removed any excuse for leaders not to be "building every day". However, the industry still has a gap to close. While 75% of respondents have access to AI tools, only 37% report that their organizations are actively investing in the necessary upskilling and training to use them effectively. No excuse not to build The insights from Web Summit Vancouver reflect a broader transformation. Technology leaders are no longer just faces of an organization but are leading from the front. To bridge the gap between stakeholder ambitions and technical reality, today's leaders must embrace their identity as builders. As David Savage summarized, for the modern digital leader, the "builder profile" is no longer optional, it’s their personal brand. Download the full Harvey Nash Tech Talent & Salary Report 2026 for deeper insights into salary shifts, AI implementation, and the changing nature of tech leadership. Check out our full series of interviews with these tech pioneers:

By Michael Goldberg, VP of Strategic Partnerships, Harvey Nash I recently returned from Web Summit Rio, and I haven’t stopped thinking about the experience—not just because the setting was spectacular (and it absolutely was), but because of the unique global perspective it offered on where the tech world is heading. Conferences like this often serve as a barometer for industry sentiment, but this one felt different. There was a clarity to the conversations, a sharpened focus on real challenges, and a collective sense that AI is no longer something we’re preparing for—it’s something we’re actively building into everything we do. Across panels, hallway conversations, and even the Tech Talks podcast we recorded live at the event, one theme kept coming up: The technology is here. The tools are evolving fast. But are we, as people and organizations, evolving with them? It’s easy to get caught up in the buzz—prompt engineering, generative design, smart copilots—but the deeper conversations happening in Rio were about capability. Not just what AI can do, but how we prepare our teams, leaders, and systems to thrive in a new reality. One stat from IBM really stuck with me: By 2030, 39% of today’s job skills will be obsolete. That’s not some distant-future scenario. It reframes AI not as a tech problem—but as a talent and training challenge that’s already here. A Global Moment, Not a Local Trend What made Web Summit Rio stand out was the shared urgency and honesty around transformation. Whether I was speaking with founders, enterprise leaders, or creators, everyone seemed to agree: AI isn’t a single project or platform—it’s a shift in how we build, lead, and grow. And that shift is global. From Brazil’s booming digital economy to the rise of decentralized platforms, it’s clear that innovation is no longer centralized in traditional hubs. Emerging markets are becoming proving grounds. Creators are evolving into infrastructure. And the AI conversation is moving beyond hype into application. From the Floor: Tech Talks Live at Rio We captured many of these insights in a special roundtable episode of Tech Talks, hosted by David Savage and recorded live on-site. The panel included Nicole Ingra, Benjamin Buthmann, and Rob Pegoraro, offering diverse perspectives on what’s changing in the global tech landscape. Here are a few standout themes from that conversation: AI Maturity Over HypeLess flash, more substance. Panels focused on real use cases—translation, transcription, creative tools—not theoretical futures. Creators Are the New InfrastructureThey’re no longer marketing add-ons. Creators are helping shape product strategy and customer engagement from the ground up. Brazil Is Leading, Not FollowingFor many global firms, Brazil is now their second-largest or fastest-growing market. It’s not a trend—it’s a strategy. Hard Conversations Still MissingWhile tech innovation was on full display, many keynotes sidestepped discussions around instability, regulation, and ethical risk. Decentralized Platforms Gaining GroundAlternatives like BlueSky are attracting attention with a focus on community, transparency, and digital trust. Listen to all the podcasts from the week: We have speakers from Justina Nixon- Saintil, IBM | David Shim, Read AI | Alexey Boas, ThoughtWorks | Rachel Tilghman, Braze | Melissa Jackson Parsey, R/GA | Lisa Smith, JKR | Emmanuel Straschnov, Bubble | What It All Means The most important takeaway from Web Summit Rio? The future of work isn’t just about technology—it’s about people. If 39% of our current skills are nearing expiration, it’s time to ask bold questions: Are we hiring for potential, not just past experience? Are we prioritizing continuous learning, not one-time training? Are we helping our teams grow with the technology—not behind it? The organizations that answer “yes” to those questions will be the ones that move from disruption to momentum. Let’s Keep the Conversation Going If you're thinking about how to invest in tech talent, scale AI initiatives, or reshape your skills strategy—I’d love to connect. Feel free to reach out or connect with Michael on LinkedIn. Let’s talk about what it means to build teams, not just tech.