Overview
A mix of interactive talks and hands-on workshops, with the workshops making up a good part of the day.
The interactive talks give you perspectives on where things are heading. The workshops are where you go deep: you can choose 2 out of 4 workshop topics.
The whole day is built around honest discussion and practical work that creates real value for everyone in the room.
In a landscape that's shifting fast and full of noise, you leave with a grounded sense of what's actually changing and what to do about it.
More specifically: you'll hear from people who are already navigating the shift, not just commenting on it. You'll work through real problems in hands-on sessions. And you'll meet people across roles who are asking the same questions you are.
You walk away with a better understanding of how cross-functional teams work together, not in theory, but in practice. Research-backed insights on where the industry is heading. New ideas on how product teams will collaborate in the future, especially as AI reshapes who does what. And connections with senior practitioners who are shaping the field.
Future Builders is for the people in the room when decisions get made about what to build, how to build it, and whether it actually works. Designers, developers, product managers, researchers, content strategists, engineering leads, the roles matter less than the mindset.
If you've been watching AI reshape your workflow and wondering what your role looks like in two years, this is for you. If you're tired of hot takes and want an honest conversation about what's actually changing, this is for you. If you work across disciplines and know that the old silos don't hold up anymore, this is for you.
We're not separating people by job title. The most interesting conversations happen when a designer and an engineer disagree about the same problem, and both walk away sharper. That's the room we're building.
You'll get the most out of it if you:
- Work on digital products in any capacity
- Lead or contribute to cross-functional teams
- Want to understand AI as a material, not just a buzzword
- Prefer substance over spectacle
The Chatham House Rule is simple: everything you hear in the room is fair game to share – but not who said it.
No names, no company, no "someone from X told me." It's a rule that's been used in policy circles and closed-door meetings for decades, because it works.
We use it at Future Builders for the same reason. When you're in a room full of practitioners, people are naturally careful about what they say. They're protecting their company, their team, their reputation. The Chatham House Rule removes that pressure. Suddenly people can talk about what's actually going wrong, what they're struggling with, what surprised them – without worrying about it ending up on LinkedIn the next day.
No attribution means no filtering. And no filtering means you actually get to the good stuff.
We care about creating a space where everyone feels comfortable.
If you observe uncomfortable situations, discriminatory, boundary-crossing, and/or physical assaults, ask the affected person if they need help and/or get someone from our team.
Take a look at our community etiquette to get a sense of what we're about and what we expect from each other.
We are all about being respectful and appreciating each other.
You can read more about this in our Community etiquette.
Future Builders is an event focused on what product teams actually need: Cross-functional collaboration, decision-making under uncertainty, hands-on skills you can use the next day, and a clearer sense of where the industry is heading.
It's organized by Nicole and Andreas, the founders of matchwise OG and organizers of the international UX Research & Design conference uxcon vienna.
There are changing stations in the main building restrooms. If you need a quiet space for nursing or have any other needs, please let us know before your arrival, and we'll ensure everything is ready for you.
We're excited to welcome future builders! :-)