Mayda's Creative Partnerships team Hope Kuehne & Lydia Corin went to Austin last week for SXSW 2024, the world's foremost conference that celebrates the convergence of tech, film, music, education, and culture. Apart from lots of tech and tacos, here are their findings...

If SXSW is the litmus test for what buzzword will permeate the year, there’s no doubt that AI will be it. This transformative technology has captivated the likes of Creative Directors to Technological Developers, and everyone in between. Here are 5 things we took away from our time in Austin. 

1. AI will undoubtedly disrupts things, but personal data security is what people are wary of, not the tools themselves. 

2. The sooner we embrace AI tools, the sooner we’ll transition from subjects of change to craftsmen and artisans participating in this technological revolution. 

3. For creative tools, the tech that is in our near future still requires genuine creativity that hinges on human exploration, curiosity, and insight. The tools will be the accelerant, not the replacement. 

4. The most meaningful conversations had two noticeable components; considered consent and co-creation; with audiences, underrepresented demographics, and peers. 

5. Connection with other people, sharing stories and insights, that’s what moves people. Automation might transform our lives, but it doesn’t look like it’ll be transforming our hearts any time soon. 


Did you go to SXSW 2024 or just obsess over this stuff too? Drop us a note at hello@mayda.co. We’d love to hear your thoughts!