AI and Automotive: A Powerful Combination at SXSW

This marks CI&T's 10th year of involvement with this one-of-a-kind conference, where technology and culture beautifully intertwine in the wonderfully weird city of Austin. The excitement is palpable as we dive into the schedule selection.

Rivian's headline sponsorship at SXSW 2025 really jumps out. It is emblematic of a change happening in the auto industry. I'm hosting a panel on the topic with automotive leaders from General Motors, Volkswagen, and BT, where we'll discuss the industry's rapidly changing competitor landscape and the AI-driven acceleration of innovation. 

Rivian's journey—from its first vehicle shipment in late 2021 to SXSW headline sponsor—perfectly illustrates this transformation. I'm looking forward to seeing what they do with their SXSW activation, especially the "Electric Roadhouse," which blends classic Southwestern Americana with the futurism of electric mobility — a suitably weird combination for Austin.

Beyond the fantastic auto content, there’s a treasure trove of insightful discussions on AI (so much so that it has its own dedicated track this year!). Personally, I believe we have already explored the significant productivity gains possible with GenAI; that ‘new’ frontier has been thoroughly well-trodden (at CI&T, this takes the shape of our hyper-efficiency platform, which is already generating over 30% productivity gains for the majority of our enterprise clients). 

The next big frontier in AI for me is the shifting customer behaviors we’re beginning to observe. Perhaps the most visible (or least, if you'll pardon the pun) of these changes is the potential future of user interfaces, particularly the possible disappearance of the Graphical User Interface (GUI). In a world where traditional navigation may fade away, what will our digital products look like? I'm especially looking forward to Cristiano Amon from Qualcomm’s talk on the topic: "AI is the New UI: Transforming Your Everyday."

Despite now being based in the Americas, I can't completely leave my British roots behind and I'm particularly intrigued by the UK House @ SXSW's panel on the future of AI. The session's focus on the financial and geopolitical implications of AI investment, particularly in light of the massive sums being poured into the sector by tech giants and governments alike, is fascinating and will likely shape all of our lives in the years to come. The panel's diverse line-up of speakers, including representatives from Arm, Meta, and the British Consulate, promises a multifaceted perspective—crucial for understanding this rapidly evolving landscape. 

It’s breathtaking just how many industries and areas of our lives AI is affecting. Meredith Whittaker, President of Signal, will be delivering a keynote address on online security and privacy, a topic of critical importance in today's digital world. Her insights on protecting user data and advocating for secure communication are highly anticipated. Equally compelling is the session featuring Ben Lamm, founder and CEO of Colossal Biosciences, who, along with Joe Manganiello, will discuss their ambitious projects at the intersection of technology and biology—specifically, their progress in de-extinction and the development of groundbreaking technologies. There is a plethora of sessions focused on AI's impact on various sectors, but two more in particular stand out to me both as a retired thespian and city dweller: Paramount Global's CTO, Phil Wiser, talking to ‘AI in the Media Industry’ and the panel discussion on ‘How Technology Is Transforming Urban Spaces and Building Cities of the Future’ with Matthew Mahan, the Mayor of the City of San Jose.

Outside of AI, one keynote that resonates is, "The Future of Social with Jay Graber, Bluesky CEO." Given the ongoing debates surrounding social media's impact and the increasing demand for decentralized platforms, Graber's insights into Bluesky's vision and progress will be highly relevant. This session promises to delve into the complexities of building a user-centric social media experience, addressing issues of censorship, data privacy, and algorithmic bias. The inclusion of Mike Masnick, founder and editor of Techdirt, adds another layer of expertise to the discussion, ensuring a critical and informed conversation about the future of online interaction.

That’s all for now, as I head back to fine-tune my schedule and fit in more of the incredible content. If you’re attending SXSW this year and have an interest in auto, tech, or AI, I would love to connect!