The New England College of Optometry (NECO) has announced that its annual Industry Collaborative will take place this fall, Nov. 5-6, 2026. The event’s theme is “Traversing the Shift: Critical Thinking & Patient-Centered Care in an Era of Emerging Technology,” which NECO says will move beyond the hype surrounding artificial intelligence to explore the human side of technological change.
NECO states: “Through thought-provoking presentations and collaborative discussions, students, educators, clinicians, and industry leaders will examine how emerging technologies are reshaping optometric education and patient care—and how the profession can embrace innovation while ensuring that human judgment, empathy, and critical thinking remain at the center of practice.”
Keynote Speaker
The event’s keynote speaker is John Della Volpe, Director of Polling at the Harvard Kennedy School’s Institute of Politics. A recognized authority on the attitudes, values, and behaviors of young Americans, Della Volpe has led the Harvard Youth Poll since 2000. He is a contributor to NBC, MSNBC, and The New York Times and the author of the critically acclaimed book Fight: How Gen Z Is Channeling Their Fear and Passion to Save America.
Drawing on decades of research, Della Volpe will offer Industry Collaborative attendees valuable insights into Gen Z and the changing expectations, experiences, and perspectives shaping the next generation of students and professionals.
More About the Program
According to NECO, the 2026 Industry Collaborative program will invite participants to explore the following areas:
- How educators can adapt teaching methods to cultivate critical thinking among technology-native students;
- How established leaders can recognize and confront their own biases toward emerging technologies;
- Where human clinical judgment must lead in an increasingly automated healthcare environment.
The event will open on Nov. 5 with a Networking Dinner and Student Innovation Awards on the NECO campus, running 5:30-9 p.m. On Nov. 6, the Industry Collaborative Event will be held 8:30-4:30 p.m. at WBUR CitySpace. The NECO Industry Collaborative website and link to registration can be found here.