AI was everywhere at SXSW 2026, and honestly? A little “ay ay ay” was warranted.

In this episode, Amanda and Katie break down the biggest themes from the festival, including the rise of AI in branding, creativity, work, accessibility, healthcare, and infrastructure. From Amy Webb’s now-iconic funeral for the annual trend report to powerful conversations about the hidden environmental cost of data centers, this year’s SXSW made one thing clear: the future is moving faster than most of us are ready for.

The good news? Not every takeaway was bleak. We also found real examples of AI being used to make products better, experiences more inclusive, and creative work more human.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why AI was the dominant theme at SXSW 2026
• Amy Webb’s warning about the “unlimited workforce”
• How AI is ch ...