SXSW Sessions

In this SXSW Session, Madeline Hollern from Austin Monthly interviews Kate to learn how a young girl from Kalamazoo, Michigan turned into what The New York Times called “a contemporary update of science popularizers like Bill Nye the Science Guy or Donald “Mr. Wizard” Herbert”. Kate talks about Mrs. Kelli Palsrok, her high school chemistry teacher that inspired her to pursue science, and delves into the history of her Fun with Chemistry outreach program. Madeline asks Kate about her favorite experiments, and how she feels about the latest TikTok ban at the University of Texas. 

A massive influx of clean energy investments are poised to transform the American economy this decade. Opportunities abound to take advantage of recently passed climate incentives. If we get this right, the U.S. could be on track to reach 80% clean power by 2030, leading to deep decarbonization across other sectors like transport, buildings and industry. But success is not guaranteed. What did it take to pass a $370 billion climate deal in Congress? How can American households and businesses take full advantage of new incentives? What does effective, equitable implementation look like? And, last but not least, what comes next? Join award-winning author, political scientist, and climate expert Dr. Leah Stokes for a deep dive on clean energy policy and the tools we have to realize our electric future.

The past year proved that AI is here to stay. We have seen AI disrupt every major industry, from search engines to art and music. The change will be felt in nearly every aspect of our daily lives. In this session, OpenAI’s Co-founder and President Greg Brockman talks to Laurie Segall of Dot Dot Dot Media about the future that is here already and the ethical guardrails that come along with this new era of innovation. The conversation will give an insider's look at the research lab behind popular creative tools “DALL·E” and  “ChatGPT” and some of the most sophisticated advances in AI. We’ll talk about the future of identity, media and what it means to be human in a world of artificial intelligence.

Chelsea Handler is a comedian, television host, six-time New York Times best-selling author and advocate whose humor and candor have established her as one of the most celebrated voices in entertainment and pop culture. In 2021, she launched her hit advice podcast, Dear Chelsea, and embarked on her award-winning Vaccinated and Horny Tour. Most recently, Handler released her critically acclaimed Netflix comedy special Revolution, and next will embark on her Little Big Bitch tour.   Jen Psaki is an MSNBC host and the former White House Press Secretary for President Joe Biden. With her show set to launch this spring, Psaki appears across all of MSNBC’s flagship programs, adding a unique perspective from her first-hand experience at the highest levels of government.

The recent upsurge in interest in psilocybin mushrooms by the scientific community is attributable to their long use in history, their widespread use today, and the increasing number of clinical studies validating psilocybin as a breakthrough medicine. What is not yet well elucidated is the efficacy of microdosing and the mechanisms of action for neurogenesis and neurogeneration.   Paul Stamets briefly speaks on their historical use of psilocybin mushrooms and then explores the potential for neurological health based, in part, on recent results on molecular modes of action his team has discovered. Paul published his first book on psilocybin mushrooms 45 years ago, and five since. He leads a team who are uniquely positioned to develop new compositions and methods for helping human health with these powerful, ancient medicines. Clinical trials are being planned to test his theories, based, in part, on the 3 composition patents recently awarded to Paul on his psilocybin discoveries.

Not a Whodunit but a Howdunit. How do you turn one show into a network? How do you build a network…and become a New York Times #1 author on your debut novel? And why do so many people love true crime? This and so much more….

Anyone can offer a prediction about the future. Predicting the future normal is far harder. What does it take to identify world changing trends that will actually last? For the past decade, Rohit Bhargava and Henry Coutinho-Mason have been on the front lines of the future—doing research that has taken them into cutting-edge labs, private testing facilities, and invite-only showcases across the world. Now for the first time ever, in this exclusive SXSW session where they launch their new book they reveal the most powerful stories and instigators that are already shaping humanity’s next decade. From biophilic skyscrapers to generative AI to haptic interfaces, this Featured Session offera a clear-eyed overview of not only the technology changing our world, but also explores the deeply human questions all this advancement will raise. Delivered with trademark “non-obvious” stories and infused with actionable insights, this session will help you get ready for the coming future.  

Join Amy Webb for the launch of the Future Today Institute's 16th edition of its Tech Trends Report and a deep dive into all the tech trends you'll need to follow in 2023. In this provocative session, futurist Amy Webb, CEO of the Future Today Institute and professor at NYU Stern School of Business, will provide a data-driven analysis for the emerging tech trends that need to be on your radar this year––and she’ll show you scenarios that will change your perspective on the futures. For those who have attended this session at previous SXSW festivals and already know what to expect from this session, you'll be in for an extra-special treat this year. 

Writers and directors Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert sit down with Producer Jonathan Wang, and Co-Producers Allison Rose Carter and Jon Read to discuss just how absurdly challenging their comically ambitious screenplay was to produce. A candid discussion of the biggest challenges they faced and a celebration of the badasses behind the scenes who saved the day, kept it fun, and pulled off the impossible.

Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter, actor, and author Ashanti made history in 2002 with her double-platinum, self-titled album Ashanti, which holds the record as the highest selling debut by any female artist in music history. As the twenty-year anniversary of that landmark release approaches, she’s about to make history again in the fields of music and technology with a major announcement at SXSW. She will be joined by Canadian tech entrepreneur Janice Taylor for a groundbreaking conversation about the creative economy and female empowerment. Ashanti made headlines when she shared plans to reclaim her power as an artist and entrepreneur by re-recording her landmark release for a special anniversary edition. “It’s so important to me to get the message out that artists should own their intellectual property,” Ashanti says. “By empowering myself through new technology I’m trying to help other women avoid going through the things that I’ve been through. The future belongs to those who take control and make it their own.”