Tech & AI
innovation conference
Innovation without limits
Artificial intelligence and the tech industry have become in separable forces driving innovation and transformation across the globe. This track highlights the cutting-edge platforms, visionary leaders, advances, software, and state-of-the-art hardware that are shaping the future of technology and society. Explore how Tech is redefining industries, powering new business models, and creating the next wave of breakthroughs in an ever-evolving landscape.
Timnit Gebru
founder and exec director, Distributed Artificial Intelligence Research Institute
“I don’t want to build one model for everything. I want to build many models for many different kinds of people in the world, because there’s no one way of being human. There’s no one right way of being. There’s no one language everybody has to speak.”
programming themes
- AI & Agents
- Business & Productivity
- Robotics
- Space & Frontier Tech
- Creativity & Culture
- Human vs. Machine
Past Speakers
The people shaping how stories get made.
Charina Chou, Google Quantum AI
“Quantum Computing—The What, Why, and When”
Jeff Cardenas, Apptronik
“Robotic Renaissance: The Dawn of Humanoid Innovation”
Vinod Khosla, Khosla Ventures
“What Does an AI Utopia Look Like?”
Scott Galloway, NYU Stern School of Business
“Prof G Predictions: 2025”
Conference Rewind
Take a look back at the sessions you don’t want to miss.
10 Breakthrough Technologies of 2026
Each year, MIT Technology Review reporters and editors assemble a list of the top breakthrough technologies that will change the world. We ask ourselves: What will really matter in the long run? And while we can’t see the future, we expect these technologies to affect our world in a big way, for decades to come. Niall Firth will share the publication’s list of ten breakthrough technologies with the SXSW audience, explaining each one and how it will impact the way we live and work.
From Pilot to Payoff: 7 Pattern-Matched Traits of AI Systems That Actually Work
Most companies are stuck in “pilot purgatory” with AI. What separates the experiments that stall from the projects that scale? Drawing on research across 450+ companies, Sandy Carter reveals the seven common traits that turn AI pilots into ROI-driven successes. Walk away with a roadmap you can apply immediately—whether you’re a startup founder or a Fortune 100 executive.
How to Support Resilient Youth in an AI World
Generative AI is rapidly reshaping how young people learn, connect, and understand themselves. From AI tutors and creative tools to always-on digital companions, these technologies promise new opportunities, but also raise urgent questions about children’s cognitive, social, and emotional development. Rather than focusing on whether AI should be used in education, how do we ensure AI strengthens—rather than undermines—young people’s capacity to think, relate, and thrive?
Additional Information
Each year, SXSW brings the best speakers in the world to Austin, TX< to present sessions on what’s next in the worlds of film, culture, music, and technology.
The convergence of first-class talent from so many different disciplines and backgrounds creates a unique environment for attendees to explore.
SXSW Conferences include the Innovation Conference, Music Conference, and Film & TV Conference.
Accompanying the SXSW Conference are events including expos, a pitch competition, parties, and more.
Explore Keynotes, Featured Speakers, Session Formats, and programming tracks, of visit the Conference Formats page.
SXSW Conference sessions will be divided into multiple tracks across three overarching verticals:
- Innovation Conference Tracks explore technology, marketing, health, the creator economy and more.
- Film & TV Conference covers both the creative and business elements of film and TV production.
- Music Conference features content on the making, marketing, impact and future of music.
Visit the Tracks pages for detailed information on each of the tracks.
Conference session formats range from presentations and fireside chats to panels, workshops, mentoring, networking and more.