Get ready to embark on another exhilarating SXSW season, as we unveil the initial lineup of featured speakers for the 39th edition of the conference. From debunking AI myths to exploring groundbreaking advancements in gaming, science, and beyond, hear from trailblazers whose insights will inspire and empower you this March.
Featured speakers announced today include #1 New York Times bestselling author, host of the podcast The Drive, and founder of Early Medical Dr. Peter Attia; President of Blizzard Entertainment Johanna Faries; author, documentarian, Professor of Tactical Media at City University of New York, Queens College, and host of the podcast Team Human Douglas Rushkoff; Professor of Psychology at Yale University Dr. Laurie Santos; and founder and CEO of the Future Today Institute and professor at New York University’s Stern School of Business Amy Webb; to name a few.
"Featuring thought leaders from technology, entertainment, welfare, and advocacy, today’s announcement showcases many of the verticals that make SXSW a can’t-miss event for professionals and creatives worldwide," said Hugh Forrest, Co-President and Chief Programming Officer. "I'm thrilled about our first round of speakers and equally excited that they are just a glimpse of the incredible lineup for 2025. Stay tuned over the next five months for more fantastic content."
Register today to unlock access to this stellar programming and much more. Securing your badge is the first step into your SX journey with fellow creative pioneers, storytellers, and global visionaries as they converge to forge new paths and reshape the future at SXSW 2025 from March 7–15 in Austin, TX.
Featured Sessions
Across 23 tracks of programming, the SXSW Conference celebrates the dynamic intersection of technology, film, television, and music.
10 Myths Busted: The Real Impact of AI and Emerging Tech
Founder and Chief Operations Officer of Unstoppable Domains Sandy Carter will be busting myths and taking names in this rollercoaster ride through AI and emerging tech. Expect laughs, "A-ha!" moments, and eye-opening insights as she unpacks why successful AI projects are really business transformations in disguise. From casual AI to no-code tools for the tech-challenged, we'll navigate the AI landscape like pros. Learn how to tackle emerging challenges, embrace change management, and peek into the future. Sneak peek into the Top 10 myths: Is it AI-first or business-first? Can AI truly be emotional? Is there really a data shortage?Amy Webb Launches 2025 Emerging Tech Trend Report
Join founder and CEO of the Future Today Institute and professor at New York University’s Stern School of Business Amy Webb for the launch of the Future Today Institute's 18th edition of its Tech Trends Report. In this mind-bending session, Webb will provide a data-driven analysis for the emerging tech trends that need to be on your radar this year and show you scenarios that will change your perspective on the future.Breadth is the New Depth: Why the Future Favors Learn-it-alls Over Know-it-alls
Expertise is overrated. Why? Because it has a way of blinding us to fresh perspectives. Today’s era of overspecialization breeds territoriality — which means the next world-changing idea might be stuck in the brainstorm instead of making it to the boardroom. In this session, Chief Futurist at Deloitte Consulting LLP Mike Bechtel returns to SXSW to share why the most promising (and profitable) futures are less about domain specialization and more about polymathy, conceptual cross-pollination, and industry convergence. Join him as he brings to life what it means to build better spaces for innovation.Claiming the Future of Entertainment
Gaming has been at the forefront of entertainment for nearly 50 years. Within that time, gaming has gone through various iterations of change while becoming more popular than ever. In this session, President of Blizzard Entertainment Johanna Faries will share how long-lasting IPs continue to excite audiences and build communities, not only with gaming enthusiasts, but also in the entertainment/pop culture space.Design in Tech Report 2025: Autodesigners on Autopilot
Design on autopilot is becoming a reality through the latest features in Figma, Vercel, Adobe, and AI startups. In this session, Vice President of Engineering, Head of Computational Design for Microsoft AI Platform John Maeda will present the 2025 Design in Tech Report and explore how AI will turn designers into "autodesigners." This shift — where designers train AIs to automate daily work — offers both challenges and opportunities. Reflecting on Muriel Cooper's and William J. Mitchell's pioneering work, we better understand our progress and future. As Steve Jobs said, "You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards."From Survivor to Advocate: Nadia Murad’s Fight for Human Rights and Justice
Human rights activist, New York Times bestselling author, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, and founder of Nadia’s Initiative Nadia Murad will share her incredible story of survival, resilience, and advocacy. From her journey through the horrors of ISIS captivity, to becoming a global voice for victims of human trafficking, genocide, and CRSV, discover how Murad is leveraging her platform to promote justice, peace, and human rights worldwide."The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos" Live
Join Professor of Psychology at Yale University, Dr. Laurie Santos, for a live taping of her podcast, The Happiness Lab, which explores what the latest scientific research shows about how we can feel happier at work and in life.Love Your Tricky Brain and Unlock Your Greatest Leadership Gifts
After decades of research and thousands of hours of interviews, author and host of the podcast The Anxious Achiever Morra Aarons-Mele discovered something unexpected: many driven and successful people struggle secretly with their mental health. Maybe anxiety is your most loyal companion and your worst enemy. Maybe you’re neurodivergent, managing ADHD or a brain that just works differently and you’re feeling stuck. Maybe you feel like you need to hide who you really are at work. This session will help you learn to love your tricky brain and discover how to turn your perceived leadership weak spots into your greatest source of empathy, authenticity, and impact. The anxieties, the challenges, the emotional sensitivities that you've spent years trying to suppress are actually your competitive advantages.How Not to Screw Up an AI Transformation While Shaping the Future of Your Company
87% of AI transformations fail, because most organizations approach this new technological paradigm the same way we did the last one. Looking at the future through the lenses of the past is a one-way ticket to frustration and failed efforts. In this session, CEO and Chief Futurist of Signal and Cipher Ian Beacraft will share hard-won wisdom about why and how this time is different, how teams and organizations can increase their odds of success at achieving the promised value of generative AI, and what the future paradigms of work looks like when we construct teams and organizations with AI in mind. Attendees will come away with a concrete vision of the new possibilities AI-powered teams can achieve, and a practical map to get there.Human-centered Storytelling: Driving Connection & Culture
The most successful brands and leaders tell stories that move people deeply, foster connection, and drive culture. In this session, filmmaker and founder of Creative Breed Cheryl Miller Houser will share a storytelling framework anyone can use to achieve this. Her human-centered approach draws on the craft and science of storytelling and something much deeper — how to tap into our own heart and the heartbeat of the times. Interweaving moving examples and anecdotes, she will take attendees on an emotional journey that leaves them inspired to tell stories that drive results in marketing, sales, leadership, social impact, and personal development.Level Up. The 2025 State of Play on Games, Tech, and Media
Join New York University professor and co-founder and CEO of ALDORA Joost van Dreunen for a data-driven exploration of gaming's $250 billion future. Discover how non-gaming companies are entering the space, the buzz around next-gen hardware, and the fall of walled gardens. Learn how emerging tech is reshaping content across games, tech, and media. Whether you're a developer, innovator, or enthusiast, you'll gain valuable insights into this converging landscape. In addition, attendees will receive Van Dreunen’s special SXSW edition of the State of Play Report — your guide to navigating the exciting future of interactive entertainment and digital media.Dr. Peter Attia: The Science and Art of Longevity
New York Times bestselling author, host of the podcast The Drive, and founder of Early Medical, Dr. Peter Attia, will discuss how to simultaneously lengthen lifespan and increase healthspan.Weirding the Digital: An Invocation
The internet began as a haven for the counterculture and a catalyst for strange new possibilities, yet it quickly surrendered to the needs of the market for predictability and profits. Digital technologies promote utilitarian ends instead of creative ones, and artificial intelligence favors the probable over the possible. It's time to talk ourselves down off this bad trip and fold the weirdest fringes back to the center of our digital society. In this session, author, documentarian, Professor of Tactical Media at City University of New York, Queens College, and host of the podcast Team Human Douglas Rushkoff will initiate the next interactive age while celebrating the new 15th anniversary edition of his classic text, Program or Be Programmed.
Featured Speakers
- Vice-Chancellor of Australian National University Genevieve Bell
- Chief Marketing Officer of Rare Beauty Katie Welch
We’ve only just begun; stay tuned for more announcements throughout the season, including 400+ community-sourced sessions via PanelPicker© along with the SXSW Schedule in October 2024.
Join Us at SXSW 2025
Immerse yourself in unparalleled discovery, learning, professional development, and networking alongside creatives from across the globe at the 2025 SXSW Conference & Festivals from March 7–15 in Austin, TX.
Register today to experience the full range of programming including conference sessions, film and television screenings, music showcases, world-class exhibitions, and more. (Tip: Get primary entry to all events with a Platinum Badge.)
The earlier you register, the more you save! Registrants also benefit from access to the best available hotel selections and rates in Austin. For more opportunities to save, explore our exclusive group rates and badge discounts for students and recent graduates.
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