SXSW 2026: Spielberg, AI, and Activism at the Heart of the Discussions

SXSW 2026: Spielberg, AI, and Activism at the Heart of the Discussions

The South by Southwest (SXSW) 2026 festival is in full swing in Austin, Texas, bringing together influential figures from various fields such as television, film, music, comedy, and technology. Among the notable speakers so far are Jamie Lee Curtis, Steven Spielberg, and Serena Williams. This edition highlights how artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the world, for better and for worse.

Highlights So Far

SXSW is a crossroads where creativity meets technology. Steven Spielberg captivated the audience with his thoughts on the use of AI in cinema, while explaining why he stays away from social media platforms like Instagram. Spotify, for its part, unveiled new features to better manage unwanted music. A recent documentary also shed light on the impact of social media and AI on our attention spans.

Upcoming

The festival promises many more captivating talks. Activist Mahmoud Khalil, fitness guru Robin Arzón, and chef José Andrés are expected among the speakers. Leaders from companies such as Nothing, Google DeepMind, OpenAI, Signal, and Cloudflare are also present. AI is a central theme, with discussions on its influence on how we work, play, and live. Experts and documentaries will explore its flaws and the culture surrounding it. Innovations in virtual and augmented reality, as well as immersive experiences, will also be showcased.

What to Watch in Sunday’s SXSW Programming

The fourth day of SXSW emphasizes the idea that technology should serve humanity. The sessions will be streamed live on YouTube, in Central Time (CT).

• 10 AM: The Guardian interviews Mahmoud Khalil about the cost of dissent. Khalil, a Columbia graduate, will share his experience as a pro-Palestinian activist, including his arrest under the Trump administration, and discuss the personal and political stakes of resistance.

• 1 PM: Keynote on the human-centered future of AI with Rana el Kaliouby and Bob Safian, who will address the balance between humanity and the economic opportunities of AI.

• 2 PM: Discussion on community, culture, and the future of entertainment with Matt Strauss and Andy Cohen, experts in building fandoms and facilitating cultural conversations in the streaming era.

• 4 PM: Session on reclaiming our humanity in the age of AI with Karen Hao, Timnit Gebru, and John Palfrey, who will discuss AI biases and its impact on society.

From Breaking Bad to Pluribus, Creator Vince Gilligan Ready to Write a Hero

Vince Gilligan, the creator of acclaimed series like Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, presented his new series Pluribus at SXSW. Joined by Rhea Seehorn, Dave Porter, Jennifer Bryan, and Trina Siopy, he discussed the creative process behind this new production. After spending two decades writing "villains," Gilligan chose to focus on a hero with the character of Carol Sturka.

Jamie Lee Curtis Talks Human Connection and AI

Jamie Lee Curtis, in conversation with H. Alan Scott from Newsweek, addressed the importance of human connection in an age where AI is omnipresent. She emphasized that despite technology, we need authentic human relationships.

I Let Smart Glasses Take Control of My Body for Art

An innovative artistic experience was conducted with Meta Oakley glasses as part of the Body Proxy project developed by Tender Claws. This experience plays with notions of agency and trust in AI.

Futurist Amy Webb Announces the End of the Tech Trends Report

Amy Webb announced the end of the annual tech trends report, deeming the format unsuitable for the rapidly evolving tech landscape. She encouraged companies to focus on the "convergences" of trends, particularly in AI, robotics, and geopolitics.

Cloudflare CEO Matthew Prince Predicts the Future of the Internet

Matthew Prince, CEO of Cloudflare, hosted a panel on the evolution of the web in the age of AI. He predicted that by 2027, bot traffic could surpass human traffic, highlighting the growing impact of AI agents.

CNET Gets an Exclusive Preview of the JBL EasySing Mic Mini

JBL unveiled its EasySing Mic Mini, priced at $180 and equipped with AI capabilities, during the JBL LIVEbrary at SXSW 2026. This portable microphone will be available in May 2026.