SXSW 2024 Preview: AI Maturity in Focus
Here are some of the more interesting sessions at SXSW, which runs from March 8 to 16 in Austin, Texas
This year’s SXSW 2024 has plenty more AI sessions compared to last year, and they show a maturing of the technology. There remains plenty of hype but also a realization of the challenges in scaling the tech. Plus, while there are advances in making AI systems more ethical and responsible, much more work still needs to be done.
Here is a preview of the more interesting sessions at this year’s conference in Austin, Texas, which kicks off tomorrow and runs until March 16:
March 8
12:30 pm – 1:30pm EST
AI & Productivity: A Workplace Love Story?
Is the office becoming a setting for an unlikely romance? We'll examine how generative AI tools streamline tasks, spark creativity, and even offer a sense of 'partnership' that blurs the lines between human and machine. Are we on the cusp of a new type of collaboration, one that fundamentally alters not just how we work, but how we connect with the technology around us?
Speakers:
Paige Bailey, Lead Product Manager for Generative Models at Google DeepMind
Yetunde Dada, senior director of product mgt, QuantumBlack, AI by McKinsey
3:30pm – 4:30pm EST
How AI Will Change the Way Brands Sell and People Shop
The AI revolution is here, and the retail industry is ripe for an upgrade. As AI develops at a rapid pace, brands must stay ahead of the curve to meet consumers’ growing expectations.
Speakers:
Lilian Rincon, Senior Product Director leading Google Shopping
Danielle Schmelkin, CIO of J.crew
5:00pm – 6:00pm EST
Investing in the Future of AI Infrastructure
The global AI infrastructure market has exploded to over $30 billion in 2023, with expectations of rocketing substantially higher. Join expert investors and executives from Oracle, Index Ventures, Bain Capital Ventures, and NVIDIA to explore the red hot AI infrastructure trends in 2024 and beyond.
Speakers:
Eleanor Haglund, director, VC Alliance, Nvidia
Saanya Ojha, partner, Bain Capital Ventures
Ishani Thakur, partner Index Ventures
JD Weinstein, global director, VC practice, Oracle
March 11
11:00 pm – 12:00 pm EST
Breaking the Confidentiality Paradox: A Secure GenAI Roadmap
It is now clear that the future of business will be undeniably intertwined with generative AI. This panel session delves into the complex Confidentiality Paradox of large language models and offers insights, strategies, and solutions to safeguard data in this evolving landscape.
Speakers:
Eiman Ebrahimi, CEO of Protopia AI
Shaun Hillin, global head of solution architecture, Cohere
Reza Piri, founder Productbot AI
Sol Rashidi, CDO, Estee Lauder
12:30 pm – 1:30 pm EST