The question at the center of this discussion is straightforward, and so is the answer: yes, reviewers can post their final justification until the end of the AC, reviewer discussion period. That is the timeline, and it has not changed. For anyone navigating the ICML 2026 review process, this clarity is not a minor detail. It is the difference between planning your response with confidence and second-guessing yourself at the worst possible moment.
What this means for you, the reviewer, is practical leverage. You have until the close of that discussion window to refine your justification. That is not a small window, and it is not a formality. It is your opportunity to address counterpoints, clarify misunderstandings, or strengthen a position that may have been challenged earlier in the conversation. The AC is not looking for perfection under pressure. They are looking for a well-reasoned, final statement that reflects the full arc of the discussion. Use the time for what it is: a chance to make your case properly, not hastily.
For authors reading this, the implication is just as relevant. The review process does not end when the initial reviews are posted. The discussion period is where nuance lives. If you are waiting to see how the AC, reviewer exchange unfolds, you now know that the final justification can still shift the narrative. That means your own responses should not be reactive or rushed. You have room to engage thoughtfully, address concerns, and let the conversation mature. The system is designed to reward careful participation, not last-minute scrambling.
So here is the concrete takeaway: check the official ICML 2026 timeline, mark the end of the AC, reviewer discussion period on your calendar, and treat that date as your real deadline. Not the initial submission window. Not the review deadline. The discussion close. That is where the final justification lands, and that is where your attention belongs. The process is transparent, the timeline is fixed, and the opportunity is yours to use. Do not waste it.