TechCrunch will be present at SXSW 2025 — the annual conference celebrating technology, music, comedy, and film, which commenced on Friday in Austin — as we explore the pulse of this AI-driven era.
Indeed, we’ve only just begun, and already AI has made an appearance. Why not? A glance at the extensive SXSW agenda reveals that AI is taking center stage in Austin — and across the globe. This year, there’s a clear focus on the practical applications of AI in the real world rather than just hypothetical discussions of its potential.
SXSW serves as a reflection of the endeavors within the technology ecosystem, showcasing what founders and investors are currently focused on. This often aligns with the cycle of industry hype. Autonomous vehicles, scooter frenzy, cryptocurrencies, and psychedelics — all have had their time in the spotlight at SXSW.
The tech segment of this annual event kicked off on Friday and will continue until March 13. The conference opens with several tracks that are very much in line with TechCrunch’s interests, including the creator economy, cultural trends, startups, healthcare and medtech, and energy. Although the AI track officially launches on Sunday, discussions are already underway. For example, Signal President Meredith Whittaker, during her on-stage interview, highlighted the risks posed by agentic AI to security and privacy, while a health expert cautioned against excessive reliance on AI for companionship.
Deep technology such as space exploration and quantum computing are set to make their presence known at the event, along with discussions surrounding climate and sustainability. Make sure to check out Rivian founder and CEO RJ Scaringe’s keynote on March 11 — it promises to be insightful — as well as topics related to transportation.
Autonomous vehicles are making a resurgence, but this time they’re hitting the streets rather than just being a subject of discussion in panels. Earlier this week, Uber and Waymo rolled out a robotaxi service in Austin. The “Waymo on Uber” robotaxi option is available to anyone with an Uber account. You can count on TechCrunch to be there, engaging with these robots and discussing the implications with human Uber drivers.
TechCrunch will also be conversing with venture capitalists, founders, and industry thought leaders at SXSW to gauge how the tech sector is adapting to current events, including the dynamics surrounding the Trump administration, and of course, to uncover the next breakthrough innovation. We’ll keep a close eye on various keynotes and interviews with notable figures in technology and business, including Alan Baratz from D-Wave Quantum, Qualcomm President and CEO Christano Amon, Colossal Biosciences founder Ben Lamm, and Arm CEO Rene Haas.
And don’t worry, we’ll be making time for some fun, too.
Compiled by Techarena.au.
Fanpage: TechArena.au
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