If you ever thought the future was far off, attending South by Southwest Sydney 2024 would quickly change your mind. The energy, the innovation, the sheer number of conversations—everything about it felt like we were stepping into tomorrow.
We had the chance to dive headfirst into it all, with our Director of Business and Technology Consulting, Karan Chugh. We got to experience some of the best talks, sessions, and innovations the world has to offer, and we can’t wait to share what left us inspired and maybe even a little bit awestruck at SXSW Sydney 2024.
The Canva Story: Proof That Aussie Grit Works
One of the first talks we caught was from Melanie Perkins, the Co-Founder of Canva, and we can say, it was like a shot of adrenaline for anyone who’s ever had a big idea. She shared the story of how Canva went from a tiny idea in her head to a global design tool used by millions.
The key takeaway? Aussie grit. Listening to Melanie, felt like a reminder that even the smallest ideas can grow into something huge if you stick with them. It wasn’t just about Canva—it was about believing in your vision and pushing through the challenges.
AI is Taking Over (And It’s Not Just for Techies)
One session that absolutely lit up the room was with Manohar Paluri, VP of AI at Meta, and Ryan Patel. AI was the star of the show, and the buzz in the room was electric. They talked about how AI is already changing everything—customer service, marketing, operations—and how businesses need to stop dipping their toes in and just dive right in.
The key takeaway here? Experiment. Don’t wait for someone else to lead the way, get your hands dirty with AI tools like the LAMA stack, and start applying them in every corner of your business.
If you’re sitting there wondering, “How does this affect me?” Let me tell you—AI is no longer the future, it’s the now. You either get on board, or you get left behind.
Shopping x Conversational Commerce
Imagine having a chat with your favourite online store, and it feels like you’re talking to a friend. That’s exactly what conversational commerce is bringing to the table. At one of the sessions, we dove into how AI is making online shopping more personalised, more intuitive, and frankly, more fun. Instead of clicking through pages and pages of products, imagine having a quick chat and finding exactly what you need. It’s shopping, but smarter.
Into the Whole New World of AI and Creativity
One of the most mind-blowing sessions was on how AI is revolutionising the world of art and design. Speakers like Desmond Ang and Rita Arrigo showed us live demos of how AI is creating breathtaking visuals, almost effortlessly.
The idea that AI is just a tool?Shopping x Conversational Commerce Forget that. It’s becoming a creative partner, helping artists push boundaries and redefine what’s possible. It’s not about replacing creativity, but enhancing it in ways we never thought possible.
Responsible AI is Not Just a Buzzword
One of the more thought-provoking sessions was with Noelle Russell, who dove deep into what it means to build responsible AI. We’ve all been hearing about the wonders of AI, but Noelle brought up the critical questions: How do we make sure AI is ethical? How do we ensure it scales without causing harm?
Her session was a wake-up call for businesses to not just rush into AI but to think about its long-term impact. It’s not just about the flashy tools—it’s about making sure we’re building systems that benefit everyone.
Yes, We’re in Australia’s Space Race!
We never thought we would be so captivated by space, but then we heard Katherine Bennell-Pegg talk, and now we’re hooked. She’s Australia’s astronaut, and her session covered everything from the early days of space exploration to where we’re headed.
Spoiler alert: Australia’s playing a much bigger role in space tech than most of us realise. The way she talked about the space race and Australia’s role in it made us feel proud—and pretty excited for what’s coming next. From satellites to potential space missions, we’re on the brink of some pretty big things, and Australia is right there in the thick of it.
The Namast-AI Effect
AI is a global game, and Annie Liao highlighted how India is rapidly becoming an essential player in the AI space. Her talk was cleverly titled “Namast-AI to the Future,” and she dove into the innovations coming out of India’s AI ecosystem. It’s clear that collaboration with Indian tech talent is going to play a big role in shaping the future of AI.
For companies looking to innovate, tapping into this growing hub of expertise is becoming more important than ever.
Yes, Flying Cars Here (and They’re Awesome)
If there’s one thing that blew everyone’s mind at SXSW Sydney 2024, it was the XPENG X2 flying car. Flying cars have always seemed like a distant future straight out of movies, but they’re here, and they’re real. Powered by AI and featuring a sleek design, the XPENG X2 is making everyone rethink how cities will be navigated in the future.
Imagine skipping traffic entirely and flying straight to your destination. The future of urban transport has officially arrived, and this groundbreaking innovation was undeniably one of the most exciting highlights of the event.
Conflict at Work Isn’t Always Bad (Really!)
Here’s a session that resonated more than expected. Amy Gallo led a talk on healthy conflict in the workplace and revealed something surprising—gossip isn’t always a bad thing! She delved into managing tensions and differences within teams, explaining that while conflict is often viewed negatively, it can actually be healthy. When managed well, it helps teams grow and fosters stronger relationships.
And the gossip part? It turns out, not all gossip is toxic—some of it can actually help strengthen connections. Who knew?
Nick Kyrgios: Love Him or Hate Him, His Message Hits Home
We honestly didn’t expect Nick Kyrgios to have one of the most inspiring talks, but he nailed it. He’s known for his polarising personality, but his message at SXSW Sydney was all about being true to yourself, no matter what others say.
Whether you’re in tennis, business, or just life in general, staying authentic is the key to success. Hearing Nick’s journey from being doubted to becoming a tennis legend made us realise that we all have our critics, but it’s how we stay true to ourselves that really matters.
What Will Work Look Like in 2050?
In one of the more forward-thinking talks, Lisa Leong and Ryan Patel teamed up to discuss the future of work.
The big takeaway? Managers are no longer just managers—they’re becoming coaches. The shift away from micromanagement to fostering growth and performance is already happening, and by 2050, workplaces will look completely different. It was an exciting glimpse into how companies will build thriving teams by focusing on development, support, and long-term success, rather than the old-school methods of strict supervision.
The Future of Cities: Let’s Build with Heart
The title of this session made a lot of sense. Led by a panel of experts like Lucy Keeler, Mathew Trinca, Cathy Hope, and David Caffery, this talk was about how our cities are being shaped by data and tech—but what about the human side?
We’re building smart cities, but we need to make sure they have souls too. It’s about blending culture, community, and creativity with technology to make urban spaces that aren’t just efficient, but also alive. We walked away from this session thinking about how our cities will evolve and how we need to put people at the centre of it all.
AR Rahman: Blending Tradition with Tech
If there was one session that fused culture and technology seamlessly, it was AR Rahman’s talk. The legendary composer took us on a journey through Indian music and how AI is starting to influence the industry.
He also spoke about the delicate balance between staying true to tradition while also embracing new technologies to push the boundaries of creativity. It wasn’t just about the future of music—it was about how innovation and culture can evolve together, without one overpowering the other.
Wrapping Up SXSW Sydney 2024: What a Week!
SXSW Sydney was one of those events where you walk away thinking, “Wow, the future is now.” From flying cars to AI-driven art, and from space exploration to building cities with heart, there wasn’t a dull moment. We were thrilled to bring back not just ideas but actionable insights that we’ll be diving into and applying in the months ahead.
The innovation on display and the conversations around technology’s role in shaping our world were truly inspiring. From the bold visions of AI to groundbreaking developments in urban mobility, SXSW Sydney left us energised and excited for what’s next.
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