These days, tech conferences are all the rage. Nerdy is cool now! Conventions that used to cater to the well dressed business man are now catered to the well dressed computer science major. Because of the high interest in these technology assemblages, the caliber of product launched every year is higher and higher. In a couple of years, somebody will launch the equivalent of Skynet, and that will be the end of conferences as we know it (robots don’t like gathering in closed spaces).

Here is a listing of the tech conferences you need to go, and the likelihood that the end of humanity will spring from it:

1) Future of Web Apps: http://www.futureofwebapps.com/

Now in both London and Las Vegas, FOWA has become one of the premier web development conferences worldwide. With a incredible roster of speakers including members of Facebook, Github, Mozilla, Microsoft, and Google, web developers can learn from the best. Offering a video track for those who can’t quite make the trip, this conference is an invaluable resource for those who are looking to see what the internet can offer.

Chances of Skynet taking over: 12%

FOWA is very much a conference for those already in the development world, so most products that launch consist of development frameworks and tools. Of course there’s always the possibility that one of these frameworks becomes sentient…

2) GDC (Game Developer Conference): http://www.gdconf.com/

If you’re a game developer, regardless of what platform, GDC is a must. Anybody who’s anybody is here on a yearly basis either presenting the latest trends and technologies for development, or learning from the best in the field. On top of all the technical stuff, GDC is the place to actually learn about theory and psychology of games, strategy to get your product out to the masses, and networking endlessly with leaders from the industry.

Chances of Skynet taking over: 28%

I know those Sims are up to something…

3) TechCrunch Disrupt: http://disrupt.techcrunch.com/

Everybody in the technology industry has had an idea at some point they truly believe in, but nobody to realistically pitch it to (your cat is not a venture capitalist). Disrupt gives indie and corporate developers the chance to present their idea to some of the tech elite in the country. Combining a 24 hour hackathon where you can meet your future cofounders, as well as a massive pitch session, Disrupt is the place where you can make your dreams come true.

Chances of Skynet taking over: 42%

You would think this is the place where Skynet would definitely launch, but because most of the developers are younger, most apps are either about beer, helping you buy beer, or zombie/music/craigslist/woot mashups…

4) CES: http://www.cesweb.org/

Formerly the king of all tech conferences, CES is still an amazing spectacle although it’s not quite as awesome as it used to be. If you’re interested in seeing LCD’s embedded into everything from dishwashers to sneakers, then CES is the place to be. Every company you’ve ever heard of and some you haven’t (you don’t want to) shows up to Las Vegas to show off whats coming out this year.

Chances of Skynet taking over: 50%

This one is just percentages. There’s so much junk at CES mixed in with the legitimately cool stuff that Skynet might have launched 4 years ago. But, because it was between the booth selling Hello Kitty flash drives and the one making USB microwaves (both real products), we’ll never know.

5) 360 iDev: http://360idev.com/

One of the largest gatherings of iPhone developers, 360 iDev is the equivalent of the wild west of iOS programming. Anything goes here, from hacking the google maps framework live on stage to building apps for AppleTV. Small hands on sessions provide the ability to learn from top indie devs, as well as showcase their brilliance to the community.

Chances of Skynet taking over: 54%

Since its focused on iPhones, that means an iPhone has to become sentient, and that’s just ridiculous……(right?)

6) WWDC: http://developer.apple.com/wwdc/

Ever seen 5,000 Apple developers crammed into a conference center? Then you haven’t been to WWDC. Apple brings together the top developers in the world to not only announce their latest software, but teach them how to use it effectively through a week of breakout sessions and classes. On top of that, their party on the last night has become one of the most memorable of the year, due to their surprise music performances and copious amounts of alcohol.

Chances of Skynet taking over: 79%

Cyborg Steve Jobs is locked away in an underground facility and is just biding his time at this point…

7) Google I/O: https://developers.google.com/events/io:

Google astounds us on a daily basis, but for 48 hours every year, they bring out the big guns and change our perceptions of what is possible. Google not only updates the Android platform, it also updates every other major product they make: Google TV, Google Music, chromebooks, etc. On top of that, if you’re lucky enough to attend in person, Google likes to give all of its attendees free hardware like cellphones and tablets.

Chances of Skynet launching: 92%

In order to compete with Cyborg Steve Jobs, Google has created Android Sergey Brin and Larry Page. Mutually assured destruction does not even begin to describe what will happen when the 3 meet…

8) SXSW Interactive: http://sxsw.com/interactive:

The grand poo-bah of conferences, this is where all the tech rockstars meet on a yearly basis and announce the next big thing. Have you heard of Twitter? GoWalla? FourSquare? All of these companies either launched or got popular at SXSW. With panels from tech visionaries, great product demos, and 5 days of continual partying, SxSW interactive is a must. For added fun, you can also try to crash the film/music festivals happening around the same time.

Chances of Skynet launching: 99.999999%

It’s almost inevitable at this point. Skynet will launch at SXSW and it will be heralded as the next Twitter/Facebook/Google/Apple. You’ll like it or else…