SXSW 2026 kicks off this week in Austin, with Mashable providing live updates from the venue. Stay tuned for extensive coverage of all the films debuting at SXSW. For the moment, here’s a glimpse at the tech news and events launching this week.

The session schedule indicates that the tech conversations at the festival will be thought-provoking. Issues include worries about AI influencing our capacity for critical thinking and a generational shift in the concept of work. The tech and digital culture programming this year is expected to be especially impactful.

Veterans should be aware that SXSW has substituted the Creative Industries Expo with the XR Experience and Emerging Tech Expo. Anticipate themes such as AI, immersive technology, and artistic creation with new tools to take center stage.

AI serves as a significant focal point this year. A remarkable documentary, “The AI Doc: Or How I Became an Apocaloptimist,” is featured at the festival, with Mashable’s entertainment editor Kristy Puchko moderating a panel on it. A host of AI-themed events and discussions are planned.

One important panel, “AI & the Brain: As We Embrace AI, Let’s Not Forget Our Minds,” is scheduled for March 12 at the Westin Austin Downtown. With MIT professor Sanjay Sarma, Edifii co-founder Izzat Jarudi, and Massachusetts Board of Education chairman Chris Gabrieli, the panel investigates whether the swift adoption of AI is affecting our capacity to reason, innovate, and learn autonomously.

Also on March 12, journalist Tara Palmeri and Imran Ahmed, CEO of the Center for Countering Digital Hate, will engage in “Who Owns the Truth?” This discussion looks into how algorithms and AI are reshaping our understanding of reality during a time of declining trust in institutions.

On March 14 at the JW Marriott, Cloudflare co-founder and CEO Matthew Prince along with Mansueto Ventures CEO Stephanie Mehta will present “The Internet After Search.” They will delve into the challenges created by AI systems that provide direct answers, bypassing conventional websites and impacting the revenue of content creators.

The “From TikTok to Toolbelt” panel highlights an unexpected trend in the workforce: over half of Gen Z participants are contemplating skilled trades, an increase of 12% from the previous year. The panel will feature members from Frisco ISD, Interplay Learning, and The 74 Million, concentrating on evolving career readiness.

Not all sessions will be serious discussions. Spotify co-CEO Gustav Söderström will lead a session about the company’s genesis and future, joined by country music artist Lainey Wilson and podcast host David Friedberg on March 13. Keke Palmer will also join the cast of “I Love Boosters” for a live taping of “Baby, This Is Keke Palmer.”

The festival wraps up on March 15 with “Social Media Masterclass 2026” hosted by YouTuber Jon Youshaei. With his background at Instagram and YouTube, Youshaei will share insights from his tenure at these platforms and his path to amassing a large following.