On Monday, participants wearing lanyards and branded tote bags, alongside volunteers in pink shirts, assembled at Brick Lane in London to kick off the inaugural SXSW London festival. This occasion spans several stages and locations in Shoreditch and Hoxton, showcasing panels, keynotes, demonstrations, film premieres, and music performances. It marks the first European installment of SXSW, branching out from its roots in Austin, Texas.

Londoners, familiar with waiting in line, encountered the expected lengthy queues outside venues, evoking memories of SXSW in Austin. Key themes of the festival focus on the influence of AI, the creator economy, online communities, and autonomous vehicle technology. An autonomous vehicle from Wayve was observed maneuvering Brick Lane, with a human driver on standby.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan officially opened the festival, emphasizing London as a center for AI investment and innovation, and shared a ChatGPT story regarding SXSW’s entrance into the city. Discussions on AI were led by Sir Demis Hassabis from Google DeepMind, while former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair and Secretary of State Peter Kyle examined governmental roles in AI advancement.

Comedian Katherine Ryan and Dr. Nichola Conlon conversed about biohacking and their podcast “What’s My Age Again?” Twitch CEO Dan Clancy discussed the creation of authentic online communities, and Deepak Chopra facilitated a meditation session. TikTok sensation Munya Chawawa drew crowds with his presentation about social media content.

Future speakers include Dr. Jane Goodall, Wyclef Jean, Regina King, and many others. The SXSW London film segment at the Barbican will showcase world premieres of documentaries and comedies, featuring the Eminem-produced “Stans” and the UK debut of “The Life of Chuck.” The music lineup is led by artists such as Mabel, Tems, and Idris Elba.

SXSW London takes place from June 2 to 6 at various venues across London. Mashable is delivering comprehensive coverage from the event.