SXSW Sessions

Twenty-five years ago, Ray Kurzweil predicted computers would reach human-level intelligence by 2029, unlocking solutions to the world's grandest challenges. Today we are right on track to reach this milestone. During the 2030s, AI will become superintelligent, vastly outstripping our capabilities and enabling dramatic medical breakthroughs to overcome aging. This is not an alien invasion. AI is evolving from within us and will reflect our humanity. By 2045, we will connect our brains directly to the cloud, enhancing our intelligence a millionfold and expanding our consciousness in ways we can barely imagine. This is the Singularity.

It's tempting to share only the highlight reel of our lives, but when we're open about the difficult moments as well, we make it easier to tap into our emotions and create space for other people to process theirs, too. In this panel session, Wondermind co-founders Selena Gomez and Mandy Teefey will explore the importance of bringing mental health conversations into the light alongside Solomon Thomas and Dr. Corey Yeager - not just for decreasing stigma and building awareness, but as a way to deal in hard times. Moderated by Dr. Jessica Stern, the conversation will cover the importance of flexibility over strict routines in mental healthcare, dealing with negative self-talk, and getting real about when you're not feeling OK.

On the heels of CIVIL WAR's world premiere at SXSW, Academy Award nominated filmmaker and genre master Alex Garland (EX MACHINA, ANNIHILATION, 28 DAYS LATER) will participate in an in-depth conversation about the making of his latest adrenaline-fueled thrill ride that takes us through a near-future fractured America balanced on the razor's edge. Cast members Kirsten Dunst, Wagner Moura, and Cailee Spaeny will also join.

Feeling overwhelmed, disappointed, or straight up bleak about the political landscape in this crucial election year? This panel will discover why voting at the local, city and state-level matters more than you think, with artists, activists, and elected officials who may, dare we say, give you a little hope.

Embark on a journey through the dynamic universe of Dwyane Wade, an NBA legend not just defined by his prowess on the court but also his remarkable impact off it. From delivering captivating speeches to making striking statements in the realms of fashion and design, Wade's entrepreneurial spirit shines brightly. Dive into his entrepreneurial ventures and uncover how this basketball icon has masterfully crafted a diversified empire in business.

We all make on average 35,000 decisions a day--and on each episode of her podcast Choice Words, Samantha Bee and her guests unpack big and small ones that have shaped their lives and careers. So make a good choice and join Sam for a live recording of her podcast Choice Words featuring Ilana Glazer, Pamela Adlon, and Michelle Buteau.

Following his 11-year run with “CONAN" on TBS, solidifying his 28-year career as an award-winning late-night host and one of the longest tenures in late night history, Conan O'Brien is returning to television! Join the beloved comedian as he talks about his new travel series CONAN O'BRIEN MUST GO. Fans in the room will witness never-before-seen footage of the four-episode series featuring O'Brien visiting new friends met through his podcast, "Conan O'Brien Needs a Fan," where he dives deep with listeners from across the country and the world. Produced by Conaco, CONAN O'BRIEN MUST GO is executive produced by O'Brien and Jeff Ross.

The Hollywood Reporter will host a live "Office Space" reunion event at SXSW to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Mike Judge's cult-comedy classic. Judge, who wrote and directed the 1999 movie (which was filmed in Austin), will appear alongside cast-members for a lively, fan-driven conversation with Hollywood Reporter Contributing Editor, Stacey Wilson Hunt.

Two-time Emmy-nominated actress and producer Sydney Sweeney has become one of the most sought-after talents of her generation, captivating global audiences with her many buzz-worthy, critically acclaimed, and iconic roles. Sweeney can most recently be seen starring opposite Glen Powell in Will Gluck's R-rated romantic comedy ANYONE BUT YOU, which broke box office records for the 2023 holiday season. She also recently made her highly anticipated debut as ‘Julia Carpenter' (aka Spider Woman) in Sony's Marvel universe alongside Dakota Johnson with the release of MADAME WEB. Sweeney will next be seen starring in the psychological horror film IMMACULATE for Black Bear Pictures, which she developed alongside producer David Bernad, following their highly successful collaboration on WHITE LOTUS. Now streaming on MAX, Sweeney's film REALITY marked her international film debut at the 2023 Berlinale Film Festival with the film's world premiere, where she played former US Airforce Translator and whistleblower Reality Winner. She is currently in production filming an upcoming survival thriller ‘EDEN.' Directed by Ron Howard, Sweeney will star in this film alongside Ana de Armas, Vanessa Kirby, and Jude Law. Sweeney recently started production on the Apple Original Films' thriller ECHO VALLEY where she will also star opposite Julianne Moore and Domhnall Gleeson. As the standout character ‘Cassie' in HBO's EUPHORIA, Sweeney's exceptional work in Season 2 captured the attention of viewers, earning her a 2022 Emmy nomination for her performance in the category of “Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.” Prior to the second season of EUPHORIA, Sydney's name was on everyone's lips due to her turn as the seemingly woke millennial ‘Olivia' who dished out side-eye and microaggressions every chance she had in HBO's THE WHITE LOTUS. The inception of Sweeney's production company, Fifty-Fifty Films, came from the desire to reclaim professional autonomy by identifying and giving wind to projects she finds interesting, challenging, and relevant. Partnering with Jonathan Davino in 2019, Fifty-Fifty Films continues to remain focused on building impactful projects that are inclusive and purposeful. Currently in development as starring vehicles are THE PLAYER'S TABLE with Fifth Season, THE REGISTRATION for Sony Pictures, based on Madison Lawson's novel, with Fuller Media and THE CARETAKER for Universal Pictures, alongside Michael Bay and Brad Fuller for Platinum Dunes.

From AI-powered composition and artwork creation to voiceprints and curated playlists, AI is changing the way artists create and market their music, and engage with their fans. With these new tools comes a new set of challenges and responsibilities for the music industry. Artists can harness the power of AI but it is the responsibility of companies across the industry to ensure that human artistry is supported, not replaced. Panelists will present principles for companies to consider as artists engage with AI opportunities as well as results & lessons learned from early AI pilot programs.  

What if you could see the world like a futurist and be a non-obvious thinker? After exploring the front lines of world changing trends and writing about them for more than a decade, this session will be the exclusive premiere of the new book, Non-Obvious Thinking (coming September 2024) from #1 Wall Street Journal best-selling author and founder and Chief Trend Curator at The Non-Obvious Company Rohit Bhargava. Going beyond offering the usual secretive futurist's tour of emerging trends and scenarios, this session will reveal what it takes to identify trends for yourself and isolate patterns the way futurists do. Based on his own successful work teaching tens of thousands of professionals how to be non-obvious thinkers who anticipate the future, this talk will open the Non-Obvious playbook and reveal exactly how to curate and leverage trends for yourself to help you win in 2025 and beyond.

How can brands and leaders tell stories that inspire human connection and positive action, especially in these anxious and uncertain times? Cheryl Miller Houser offers tactics grounded in the science and craft of storytelling to make people feel part of something bigger than themselves and move them to laugh, to cry, to propel change. Participants from all sectors can apply these tactics to drive success in building brand loyalty, marketing, galvanizing employees, creating community, fundraising and more.   

Join award-winning writers and directors Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert as they talk about the process of developing, creating, and releasing their surprise hit movie that took the world by st— okay, look, if you're still reading this, we should tell you that we've run out of new things to say about Everything Everywhere All At Once, so although we'll try our best to stay on topic, we'll most likely go on a bunch of tangents about the state of the world, the impending climate crisis, the collapse of consensus truth, the rise of AI, the importance and impossibility of self care, and our collective responsibility as storytellers to confront the issues of our time, because that's probably going to be what's on our mind, but we can't make any promises, but at times we don't feel qualified to talk about any of that stuff, anyway we hope you enjoy our SXSW keynote!  

Women's representation in media and entertainment has come a long way, but there's still much to be done, especially for women of color and mothers. Social media's omnipresence has raised the stakes, creating an often dangerous environment which has led to serious mental health issues for teenage girls in particular. On International Women's Day, we'll hear from visionary female leaders at the forefront of news, media, entertainment and philanthropy who are breaking barriers, challenging stereotypes, and working toward a healthier society on and off our screens.  

Join Amy Webb for the launch of the Future Today Institute's 17th edition of its Tech Trends Report and a deep dive into all the tech trends you'll need to follow in 2024. In this mind-bending session, futurist Amy Webb, CEO of the Future Today Institute and professor at NYU Stern School of Business, will provide a data-driven analysis for the emerging tech trends that need to be on your radar this year––and she'll show you scenarios that will change your perspective on the futures. For those who have attended this session at previous SXSW festivals and already know what to expect from this session, you'll be in for an extra-special treat this year. 

Each year, MIT Technology Review reporters and editors assemble a list of the top breakthrough technologies that will change the world. In this SXSW Session, Elizabeth Bramson-Boudreau, the Publisher and CEO of MIT Technolgy Review will share the publication's list of ten breakthrough technologies with the SXSW audience, explaining each one and how it will impact the way we live and work.

These last few years have been characterized by prolonged uncertainty when it comes to our health, politics, economy, and beyond. Can you blame us for falling deeper into the siren song of our increasingly predictive technologies? Endless suggestions of what to buy, who to date, what to write, where to turn, and what to listen to next flow right into our palms—fooling us into thinking we have control over this unknowable, messy world. The deluge of perfectly curated feeds doesn't help. Renowned psychotherapist, podcast host, and author Esther Perel wants to know: what is this doing to our relationships? How are our expectations of one another changing? It is possible that “knowing” everything is making us less prepared for the uncertainties and imperfections intrinsic to life and love. Chasing certainty has left us inflexible and socially atrophied. How is this impacting our partnerships, friendships, and communities? Much as we try, we can't optimize intimacy—or can we?

Our country continues to take steps backward when it comes to civil liberties and voting rights when we should be expanding those rights and making it easier for everyone to participate in the democratic process. In this panel, leaders in the fight for civil rights and voting access will be sharing their insight into how we can expand access to voting for marginalized groups.

NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, a partnership with ESA (European Space Agency) and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), released its first full-color images and spectroscopic data on July 12, 2022. As the largest and most complex observatory ever launched into space, Webb went through a six-month period of preparation before it began science operations with 50 major deployments, careful alignment of the mirrors, and calibrating the instruments. These experts will talk about Webb's latest scientific discoveries, and how this observatory will continue to explore the uncharted territories of our cosmos, and share a never before seen image from the James Webb Space Telescope.

Moderated by self-proclaimed Dateline fan and Grace & Frankie star June Diane Raphael, join Dateline correspondents Josh Mankiewicz & Keith Morrison and Executive Producers David Corvo & Liz Cole for a conversation about how NBC's longest running primetime program evolved into a true crime powerhouse with a mega podcast hub. With numerous #1 podcasts, including The Thing About Pam, Motive for Murder, Dateline: Missing in America & Mommy Doomsday, along with a Dateline 24/7 streaming channel on Peacock, the team will discuss how the true crime juggernaut is reaching a new generation of fans with its signature storytelling.

2022 saw a record number of anti-LGBTQ bills introduced across the country, and we've already seen one Texas lawmaker announce that he will introduce a bill to ban youth from attending drag shows next year. The heated political discourse has led to threats against Pride celebrations and drag shows around the world.   We know these debates are negatively impacting LGBTQ youth — and that access to affirming spaces and representation is crucial to mental health. Amid these relentless attacks on the LGBTQ community, top drag queens from RuPaul's Drag Race will join The Trevor Project to discuss drag's historical roots and cultural significance today, why promoting self-expression is so important, and how we can all help create a more accepting world.

The ‘me too.' Movement is one of the best examples of the power of a platform to drive equity and disruptive change. For innovators, creators, and business leaders alike, there are powerful learnings in why #MeToo went viral, how the me too. Movement has defined modern culture, and how brands can more deeply connect with communities through personal storytelling. Brands & companies, leaders, and influencers today all are expected to stand for and demonstrate intentional effort in leading change. This is easier said than done amid discomfort and even fear of moving forward imperfectly, making mistakes, and publicly being called to task. This discussion will inspire business leaders, storytellers and change makers to overcome “perfection paralysis” and move forward courageously in the direction of disruptive change for good.

Join Mike Jackson, Emmy® and Tony Award-winning producer and co-founder and managing partner of Get Lifted Film Co. for his ongoing conversation series Why Not Me? hosted at the Moody College of Communication at the University of Texas. The series explores diversity in the media industry. Why Not Me? creates a platform for people of color and underrepresented communities across film, TV, theatre, books, and sports to share stories of breaking into the industry and making a lasting impact for generations to follow. Jackson grants opportunity to diverse filmmakers and casts through his acclaimed productions and has developed projects with major networks and studios featuring people of color in front of and behind the camera amid fascinating storylines, bringing elevated multicultural content to global audiences alongside Ty Stiklorius and EGOT-winner John Legend. Additional talent to be confirmed.

William Shatner has cultivated a career spanning over 60 years as an award-winning actor, director, producer, writer, recording artist, and horseman. He is one of Hollywood's most recognizable figures and a major philanthropist. He has won Emmys and also won a Golden Globe for his portrayal of eccentric lawyer “Denny Crane” on both The Practice and Boston Legal. He has received four additional Emmy nominations as well as other Golden Globe and SAG Award nods.   Mr. Shatner currently is the host and executive producer of The UnXplained on The History Channel. From the producers of Ancient Aliens and The Curse of Oak Island, the one-hour, non-fiction series explores the world's most fascinating, strange and inexplicable mysteries. Shatner continues to act, write, produce and direct while still making time to work with charities and further his passion in equestrian sports. He lives in Los Angeles, CA.

Sexual pleasure has been lurking in the shadows, hidden discretely in store aisles, lit up in neon on the side of highways, in glimpses on late-night TV, or relegated to the dark and dirty corners of the internet. The sex industry deserves innovation. Global sextech leader Bryony Cole set up Sextech School to do exactly that - bring founders, entrepreneurs, investors, job seekers and learners together in a six week online school to share the best new sextech ideas to transform them into viable businesses and create a vibrant, collaborative and sex positive community that is growing the sextech industry together.  

With music consumption at an all-time high, a new songwriter economy has emerged, where music creators of all levels thrive and local repertoire reaches new fans across borders and genres. It's not just about writing hits but tapping into global opportunities that span various regions, art forms, and entertainment mediums, from TV/film, gaming, and Web3 to theater and production music. Music publishers will need to adapt their way of working to remain relevant, taking advantage of these new opportunities for their entire roster vs. focusing only on megastars and market share. Join Warner Chappell Music Co-Chair and CEO Guy Moot along with Grammy Award-winning songwriting/production duo Nova Wav, Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum producer and artist Murda Beatz, and Billboard Editorial Director Hannah Karp for a lively discussion about the future of music publishing and the new songwriter economy.

Music ownership has historically been concentrated in the hands of institutions and people with access. Despite streaming generating tens of billions of dollars for the music industry each year, music artists see very little of this money, largely due to signing away ownership early in their careers.   Join renowned DJ and CEO/co-founder of Royal Justin Blau to discuss how new technology is shifting power and control into the hands of artists and their fans. Unlike merch, vinyl, and other collectibles, a system of shared music ownership empowers artists toward greater creative freedom and gives fans a deeper connection to the music they love.

In her final year of competitive racing, Allyson Felix, the most decorated track and field athlete of all time, shared with the world that she was no longer competing for medals, but for a mission greater than any medal or podium: empowering women with better childcare access childcare. Her corporate sponsor Athleta, not only stood by her in this mission, but helped amplify it—co-creating a childcare grant to support other athlete mothers with childcare costs, matching the maternity benefit offered through Allyson's community-centered footwear brand for and by women, Saysh. Working together to help build a program for on-site childcare at athletic events in partnership with the non-profit organization &Mother. Join Allyson for a conversation with ABC News Correspondent Gloria Riviera to explore the possibilities of modern brand partnerships that support athletes' ambitions both on and off the track (or court or field), how Athleta is expanding its holistic approach to partnerships in 2023 and what's next for the fierce advocate and entrepreneur Allyson Felix.

For nearly 70 years, Disney Parks has created happiness for millions through experiences that bring Disney's beloved stories to life. Across its theme parks, hotels, cruises and adventures, Disney Parks has curated magical places around the world where a simple moment can become a treasured lifelong memory.     The ‘Art & Science' of storytelling is the secret to how Disney amazes its Guests and delivers memorable experiences.  Disney Parks, Experiences & Products Chairman Josh D'Amaro will share how Disney's storytelling techniques will build on its legacy of creativity and innovation for a world that can always use just a little more happiness.  

In the early to mid 2000s, many of the pioneers of social media gathered at SXSW to brainstorm about the potentials and possibilities of these new platforms for communication. 15 years later, so much of the optimism of those early discussions has fallen by the wayside. So where do we go from here? Is it possible to build a new kind of social media that emphasizes our shared humanity as opposed to our divisions? In this In this very interactive session, attendees are invited to come to the microphone and offer their one minute solution on what a more functional system of scalable networked communication looks like.  

Of the $150 billion in U.S. venture capital less than 1 percent of total funding goes to Black founders. Black led startups are an underestimated, overlooked business opportunity that represents a prolific investment opportunity. Kathryn Finney, Managing General Partner of the venture fund, is working to change that, increasing Black wealth and injecting capital into startups led by Black entrepreneurs.  Kathryn shares her journey and storied career as an entrepreneur, inclusion champion, and investor to encourage Black founders and female entrepreneurs to build their damn thing.  

Chef and humanitarian José Andrés founded World Central Kitchen (WCK) with the simple belief that a plate of food is more than a meal—it's hope and comfort in times of crisis. Since its founding in 2010, WCK has provided more than 250 million nourishing meals in response to disasters around the world, most recently the wildfires in Chile, earthquakes in Türkiye, and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. WCK's approach to emergency response is rooted in listening to the needs of the community. When the organization is in a community facing unthinkable tragedy, they often hear stories that show the best of humanity. This keynote will dive into the responsibility that comes with this privilege and the power of storytelling to move people to act. No matter the platform, we all have the power to uplift voices to help build shared understanding—something so desperately needed in our world today. Announced during José's keynote, The World Central Kitchen Cookbook: Feeding Humanity, Feeding Hope, is a captivating collection of stories and recipes from renowned chefs, local cooks, friends of WCK, and José. The book is a celebration of dignity and perseverance—and about building longer tables, not higher walls. It is available now at https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/711636/the-world-central-kitchen-cookbook-by-jose-andres-and-world-central-kitchen-with-sam-chapple-sokol/?ref=PRH6DD7AB1328A8&aid=37171&linkid=PRH6DD7AB1328A8.

Killer Mike gets recognized for many things - being an Outkast protege, a member of rap powerhouse Run The Jewels, one of Atlanta's biggest advocates, a Bernie Sanders whisperer, and, perhaps most importantly, a voice of reason in an increasingly insane world. Some might know one or two of those sides of Mike, but he is finally ready to introduce the world to the totality of Michael Render, a lifelong rap fiend whose consciousness is seeped in the sounds of community that raised him - multiple eras of southern rap flows, Sunday church service, and barbershop discourse.

Having worked consistently in Hollywood for over 20 years, Eva Longoria has cemented herself as an industry staple known for her work both in front of and behind the camera. An award-winning actress, Emmy-nominated director, producer, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and activist, Longoria has been leading the charge of diverse and female representation since her starring role in the hit ABC series Desperate Housewives. Through her production company UnbeliEVAble Entertainment, Longoria has become one the most significant trailblazers in entertainment and recently renewed her overall deal with Twentieth Television for another three years. Founded in 2005, the company actively chooses purposeful projects that accurately represent the stories of the Latinx and other underrepresented communities. Named by Variety Magazine as one of the directors to watch in 2023, this year Longoria will make her feature directorial debut with the highly anticipated Searchlight Pictures biopic Flamin' Hot about the story of Richard Montañez and the spicy Flamin' Hot Cheetos snack for which she beat out multiple high profile film directors vying for the job. The film will be released on Hulu on June 9.

Filmmaking twin brothers Danny and Michael Philippou are RackaRacka, online purveyors of comic horror and action. Their YouTube videos have been watched over 1.5 billion times and amassed over 6.6 million subscribers. In 2015, their channel was awarded Best International YouTube Channel at the 6th Streamy Awards. Named one of Variety's 2016 Fame Changers and ranked 5th on Financial Review's Cultural Power List, the brothers have won numerous awards, including Best Overall at the Online Video Awards and the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Award for the Best Web Show. Talk to Me is their debut feature film.

Voices of VR podcast host Kent Bye has been asking thousands of virtual reality creators "What is the ultimate potential of VR?" for over 8 years now, and he will be sharing some of the best answers that map out the future of spatial computing, immersive storytelling, and experiential design. He will also share how VR is catalyzing an interdisciplinary fusion of design processes from video games, filmmaking, HCI, social media, theatre, architecture, and new modes of multi-sensory design. VR also presents unique tech ethics challenges around privacy, accessibility, conduct moderation, etc., that will potentially require new laws or tech architectures. This session will set a broad context for some of the promises and perils of this new medium while also providing a glimmer for what's to come.

Psychedelic-based therapies continue to influence the evolving landscape of mental health. As humanity begins to understand the complexity of consciousness and its impact on mental health, these worlds will become increasingly intertwined. Discover the connection between consciousness, mental health, and psychedelic therapeutics as Dr. Deepak Chopra explores the need for humanity to focus on the internal work required to heal. Joined by industry experts conducting clinical trials with psychedelic-based therapies, this panel features guests from the upcoming mini-series Open Minds to explore current medical innovations that have the potential to treat mental health conditions with breakthrough therapies.

Join the lead analysts at Variety Intelligence Platform for a provocative tour of the media and tech landscape. Their data-driven exploration of sectors including streaming, film, TV, music, gaming and much more is an essential experience for those seeking an understanding of a fast-changing business.

Join Rob Jonas, CEO of Luminate, as he offers an updated, data-driven forecast for the entertainment industry over the next year, providing insights on some of the fastest-growing trends across music, TV, film, gaming, and more. The session will connect all of Luminate's world-class data sets, including its industry-standard music consumption database, which has been fueling the Billboard Charts since 1991, along with its film and TV tracking system, and its expert research studies that continuously capture global audience and content-creator habits, casting them through a human lens. From the consumption preferences of Gen Z audiences to the ways in which content discovery methods interact across music and TV, from the power of gamers to nostalgia's effects on music streaming, it's now more essential than ever to understand data's role as a tool to connect audiences and drive creativity across the media and entertainment fields.

In the past five years Formula 1 has seen monumental growth not just in its fanbase but in its digital and global appeal. In 2023, Formula 1 will host a record 23 races around the globe, with the United States becoming the first country to host three races across three different states, with Grand Prix in Austin, Miami and Las Vegas. With races spanning across five different continents and drivers representing four of them, Formula 1 holds the unique title of being the world's only truly global sport. Alongside its mission to deliver the world's greatest sports and entertainment spectacle for fans, Formula 1 has an underlying commitment to leave a positive legacy wherever it races, with big plans in place to improve its sustainability and diversity. In this session, join Global Director of Race Promotion at Formula 1, Chloe Targett-Adams, who is instrumental in delivering the company's global strategy, working with promoters around the world and identifying new locations, as she sits down with NBC Sports' Leigh Diffey to discuss the work Formula 1 is doing to become more sustainable, and the work it does with its hosts to ensure local people and businesses all see the benefits when the world's biggest sport comes to town.

Join actor and comedian John Leguizamo, NBC News Anchor and Senior National Correspondent Tom Llamas, Director Ben DeJesus and Showrunner Carolina Saavedra as they preview the upcoming MSNBC Films and NBC News Studios series Leguizamo Does America. Llamas will moderate an in-depth discussion with Leguizamo, DeJesus and Saavedra on Leguizamo's storied career and the groundbreaking new series that focuses on the unmistakable influence and contributions of U.S. Latinos. Available on MSNBC beginning April 16, Leguizamo Does America invites viewers to grab a seat and ride alongside Leguizamo on a tour across the country to celebrate the history, culture, food, and politics of Latinos shaping America.

Climate Change is the single biggest threat facing our planet at this moment. We've seen young climate activists rise to the challenge and use their voices to start global movements and influence change. But what would happen if we equipped them with the capital and the resources to tackle the issue head on, in the same way we invest in hungry start-up founders? That's the question investor and Seven Seven Six founder Alexis Ohanian asked himself when he started the 776 Foundation and Fellowship Program and pledged $20M to climate issues over the next 10 years. The inaugural class of Fellows are nearly one year into the program and are hard at work on projects across the climate solution spectrum from curbing food waste in rural Kenya by deploying solar powered cold storage units to building highly specialized robots working to automate synthetic biology. Hear from Alexis, Lissie Garvin the Director of the 776 Foundation and two of the fellowship program's bright young minds Maya Penn and Rostam Reifschneider, as they discuss their respective companies, the urgency for climate action and why they all believe our next generation holds the key to unlocking the solutions.

Imagine you're running late for your flight from JFK, traffic is heavy and your map app is predicting two hours of traffic. Instead of jumping in a cab, you walk to the nearest Skyport, board your flying taxi and make your Delta flight with time left to grab your morning coffee. Joby's flying taxis - an all-electric aircraft vehicle - are here. In this session, join JoeBen Bevirt (Founder and CEO of Joby Aviation) and Pam Fletcher (Chief Sustainability Officer of Delta Air Lines) as they discuss exploring uncharted territories and reimagining travel to build a more sustainable and innovative future for travel.

Join Katie Lowes and Guillermo Diaz, stars of the hit show “Scandal” and new Shondaland Audio rewatch podcast “Unpacking the Toolbox” as they reminisce about behind the scenes stories and memorable moments filming the show. Go back in time with Huck & Quinn of B613 fame to where it all started! #GladiatorsAssemble

Boots Riley is an activist, filmmaker, and musician who's debut feature film Sorry to Bother You premiered at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival. The film was released to resounding box office success and widespread critical acclaim. Fervently dedicated to social change, he was deeply involved with the Occupy Oakland movement and was one of the leaders of the activist group The Young Comrades. Riley is the recipient of the Independent Spirit Awards for Best Feature Film, and SFFILM's Kanbar Award. He is currently working on the dark absurdist comedy I'm a Virgo for Prime Video.

Join some of the leading researchers who will share their perspectives on the future of psychedelic science. Those with decades of experience have knowledge that is crucial to finding the right paths forward as psychedelics go mainstream. The psychedelic science torch is getting passed to the next generation, with fresh perspectives on both ancient and future medicines. Can we take the “trip” out of psychedelics and do we want to? Will “next gen” psychedelic compounds have an advantage over today's medicines? Documentarian and researcher Hamilton Morris (Hulu's “Hamilton's Pharmacopeia”), pharmacology professor & Heffter Institute founder David Nichols, Psychiatry & Neuroscience professor Rachel Yehuda (Mt. Sinai) and Palo Santo's Tim Schlidt explore the future of psychedelic science.

The internet is the collective mind of humanity — the circulatory system of thought itself. Those who control the internet control the future of our species. Yet the current business model of the internet is mind control via mass surveillance. Privacy is a fundamental aspect of freedom: the ability to communicate and co-create our lives without interference from third parties. If we can't control our communication, we can't control our lives. Based on their experiences in the front-lines of activism and creating privacy-enhanced infrastructure, Chelsea Manning and Harry Halpin will put forward a revolutionary plan for an internet that is private by default.

Cybercriminals, con artists, digital spies. We call them many things but they all have the same motive - to steal your data and information and ultimately, your money. Last year, Americans lost nearly $7 billion dollars to online crime. That's 9 zeroes. There's no denying that tech has enabled incredible progress, but our increased connectivity comes with great risk. It's time to take the best of technology and put it to work for protection vs. exploitation and battle back against the relentless onslaught from hackers.   In this session, actor and producer Robert Downey Jr., who recently set out to learn everything he can about online crime and its impact on the world, brings together three of the industry's most knowledgeable minds – Aura CEO Hari Ravichandran, security expert and former FBI agent Eric O'Neill, and New York Times bestselling author Maria Konnikova – for a riveting discussion about the true scope of the crisis Americans are facing, a look inside the minds of cybercriminals and how they are able to manipulate our families and wallets, and thoughtful solutions on what can really be done to fight back.   If you have a phone in your pocket, join this session, then join the fight.

Apple's VP of Health, Dr. Sumbul Desai, sits down with Women's Health Editor-in-Chief Liz Plosser to share Apple's approach to creating tools that empower people to lead healthier lives, with scientific validation and privacy at the core.   Since the release of the Health app in 2014 and Apple Watch in 2015, Apple has introduced a wide array of powerful and innovative features, across areas like heart health, mobility, sleep, mindfulness and menstrual health — including the breakthrough new temperature sensing capabilities for Apple Watch that enable retrospective ovulation estimates.   Dr. Desai and Plosser will examine how science-based technology can act as an intelligent guardian for health, moving people from being passengers on their own health journey into the driver's seat, armed with meaningful, actionable insights.

As Second Gentleman, Mr. Emhoff is working to share the priorities of the Biden-Harris Administration with people across the country and around the world.   Mr. Emhoff has traveled to 32 states, two native nations, and seven countries. During his travels, he has met with health care professionals, parents, teachers, caregivers, community leaders, legal aid providers, small-business owners in urban and rural areas, communities of color, and Tribal communities to hear their stories and to share how the Administration is working to help their families.   As the first Second Gentleman, married to the first woman vice president, Mr. Emhoff knows the power and importance of having women in leadership positions. He has seen what it has meant to young girls and boys to look up to Vice President Kamala Harris and is a champion for gender equality. Mr. Emhoff has met with gender ministers in both Japan and France and has hosted roundtable discussions with women and young girls around the world to discuss the importance of equity in the workplace, equal pay, and protecting reproductive rights and health care.   As the first Jewish spouse of an American president or vice president, Mr. Emhoff has been honored to share his Jewish heritage and culture—from celebrating Passover in the White House to affixing Mezuzahs on the doorposts of the Vice President's Residence. Mr. Emhoff has been a leading voice on combating antisemitism and hatred wherever it exists. He convened Jewish leaders at the White House for the first of its kind roundtable to bring attention to the rise in antisemitism. He has also worked with Jewish student leaders on campus and with the House Bipartisan Task Force for Combatting Antisemitism to promote a whole-of-society approach to countering antisemitism. He regularly engages with individuals from the Jewish community as well as other faith-based groups to discuss the Administration's priorities to strengthen religious tolerance and protect religious freedom. Mr. Emhoff has been a leading voice on combating antisemitism and hatred wherever it exists.   As a lawyer for over 30 years, Mr. Emhoff cares deeply about justice and equality in our legal system. He is an advocate for access to legal aid and removing barriers – legal, social, and financial – to ensure that every person can get the help they need to arrive at justice.

Bijan Robinson is a running back for the Texas Longhorns and projected 1st-round draft pick for the NFL. Although it is what he's best known for at present, Robinson is not just an athlete. With a series of NIL partnerships under his belt, Robinson has established himself as not only an influencer, but a full fledged businessman. Perhaps most notably, he partnered with creative agency CALLEN to create his own brand of gourmet dijon mustard, Bijan Mustardson.   Craig Allen is the Founder and Chief Creative Officer of CALLEN. He spent nearly 10 years at Wieden + Kennedy's Portland office when he worked on a large variety of brands. Perhaps most notably, he led the Old Spice team responsible for the “Smell Like A Man, Man” campaign which transformed the brand into the category's definitive leader and was regarded as one of the top campaigns of the 21st century.   Bryan Burney is a Marketing Manager at Athletes First. He handles branding and off-field partnerships for Athletes First clients including but not limited to NFL players, NCAA athletes, coaches and broadcasters.   Natalie Tindall, Ph.D., APR, is Director of the School of Advertising & Public Relations, Moody College of Communication at the University of Texas at Austin. Her research focuses on diversity in organizations, specifically the public relations function, participatory culture, the situational theory of publics, and intersectionality in strategic communication practices.   She serves as the co-director for the Institute of Public Relations' Center for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and has served as the Head of the Public Relations Division for the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication and the Chair of the Diversity & Inclusion Committee for the Public Relations Society of America.