Lessons learned at SXSW 2023

March 13, 2023

AI was this year’s hot topic at SXSW 2023 in Austin, Texas. Especially with ChatGPT, there were a lot of interesting discussions about the future of AI and how this technology will impact our lives, for the better.

March 13, 2023

Here's a wrap up of the lessons learned at SXSW 2023.

Continue reading to learn more.

Amy Webb, CEO and founder of the Future Today Institute

showed off the predictive capabilities of FTI which utilizes analysis and data-driven models to see plausible outcomes. A great start to #SXSW, but a bit scary, to be honest.

The conversations within technology circles at SXSW 2023 discussed how AI and the growing computing power combined can change our lives in the next seven years, as 2030 is literally tomorrow. The changes we’ve recently witnessed show us that we are incredibly privileged to be living in this singular moment in time, and soon facing the dawn of a new technological era in the history of mankind.

An incredibly interesting panel with Jonathan Gleit on the metaverse

and the practical ways AR and VR are already improving our world. Metaverse Media Content creative producer Meta, Jonathan Gleit described the metaverse, which was the protagonist in the latest version, as being much shyer now. We might also see marked progress in AR and VR, and for these technologies to have increasingly more, readily adaptable applications in every facet of our lives.

During the conference, we saw examples of AI applications in energy, space and climate change.

On the most innovative side, the James Webb Space Telescope NASAWebb, for the first time in history, has allowed us to see infrared rays from the time of the Big Bang and the origins of the universe;
How Colossal Biosciences, a start-up and itsl CEO and cofounder, Ben Lamm, is planning to use AI and genetics to de-extinct species like mammoths;
and the health-tech evolution, which will allow doctors and laboratories to use potential treatments and medicines developed by a growing computing capacity that can process enormous volumes of data and models. As well, how environmental concerns have now become part of the agenda and integral to the business plans of organizations, while leveraging AI to assist in climate action, is now a must-have for companies.

So we could hear about how we can be more productive using AI, for example, with author, Kevin Kelly opining that we will have ChatGPT as an “intern”; How work relationships are being changed and affected by technology as never seen before; and how author Amy Gallo deals with difficult people in her books, ‘Getting Along’ and the ‘HBR Guide to Dealing with Conflict’, and other aspects when discussing human intelligence.

It was also great to learn from the people who are not directly involved with technology day-to-day, like Killer Mike from Run The Jewels who used his positive energy on his speech and businesses;
Yogetsu Akasaka, the Zen Buddhist monk and DJ and his music (after all, SXSW started as a music festival!) creating an incredible mix of organic and electronic layers of music;
And José Andrés showing that it takes only one person with an idea, passion and vision to make the difference.

“I left Austin more curious and excited about technology’s impact on our businesses and in our lives. I received a seemingly contradictory message, in that all of this technology serves as a guide to show us that we are humans, and we remain the ones in control of the machines, for both the good and the bad. As humans, however, we have a responsibility to the future, it’s just more apparent to me now that it will be heavily dependent on the AI evolution.”

Carlos Kazuo Missao

Head of Innovation Solutions Americas

GFT