The SXSW Sydney 2025 Conference Lineup Just Got Bigger—and Bolder

The SXSW Sydney Conference is back, and it’s growing fast. This week, we’re thrilled to unveil a fresh wave of speakers and sessions that span the global frontiers of business, politics, tech, media and screen. From award-winning filmmakers to AI pioneers, this latest announcement delivers bold ideas, big names and boundary-pushing conversations you won’t want to miss.

Speakers joining the Conference program this year include:

Paul Feig
You may not know Paul Feig’s name, but you definitely know his films. The director, writer and producer behind Bridesmaids, Spy, The Heat, and A Simple Favor, Feig has redefined modern comedy—often by putting complex, hilarious women at the centre of the story. He also created cult-favourite series Freaks and Geeks and has received multiple Emmy and DGA nominations. At SXSW Sydney, he’ll dive into a career built on sharp comedy, bold storytelling and elevating others.

Mo Gawdat
Former Chief Business Officer at Google X and host of the Slo Mo podcast, Mo Gawdat has become a global voice in tech ethics and emotional intelligence. After a career leading innovation at Google, IBM, and Microsoft, Mo is now on a mission to help one billion people live more consciously and joyfully—especially in a tech-driven world.

Lucy Guo
From co-founding Scale AI to launching venture fund Backend Capital and now leading creator platform Passes, Lucy Guo is one of tech’s boldest young entrepreneurs. With over 100 startup investments and a passion for building tools that empower creators, she’s reshaping how influence and innovation intersect.

Lars Rasmussen
The co-founder of Google Maps and former Director of Engineering at Facebook, Lars Rasmussen helped change the way we interact with the world. A visionary in digital navigation and social platforms, his impact on global tech is undeniable—and still 

Niall Firth
Executive Editor at MIT Technology Review, Niall Firth has built his career explaining the future. At SXSW Sydney, he’ll break down where AI is heading by 2026—from autonomous agents to AGI—and help attendees navigate the rapid evolution of tech with clarity and confidence.

Other newly announced speakers include digital creator and music journalist Tait McGregor, Walkley Award-winning investigative journalist and author Jess Hill, and marketing expert and entrepreneur Neil Patel.

Alongside these major speaker announcements, we’re also releasing the first 50 conference sessions. Covering Business & Leadership, Tech & Innovation, Marketing & Media, Creative Industries, Future & Sustainability, and Culture & Lifestyle, these sessions offer a first taste of the bold ideas and future-focused conversations set to define this year’s event. 

A few highlights include:

Skynet in the Boardroom: Is AI Hijacking Your Business Strategy?
What if your company’s next big decision won’t be made by your board—but by an algorithm? This panel pulls back the curtain on how AI is quietly making high-stakes decisions in ways executives don’t fully understand. We will show you what AI-powered strategy looks like in action with a live strategy digital twin showcase. Moderated by Prof. Marek Kowalkiewicz (QUT Business School), this panel features top strategists: Dr. Graham Kenny (Strategic Factors, HBR Advisory Council), Prof. Ganna Pogrebna (AI & Cyber Futures Institute), and Dr. Roger Moser (SatSure, Macquarie University). Expect provocative questions and mind-blowing use cases. Will AI eliminate boards? Can algorithms really be trusted with billion-dollar decisions? What happens when AI strategy clashes with human intuition? 

From Passion to Paycheck: Cracking the Creator Economy
The creator economy is now worth over $9 billion in Australia and growing fast. But it’s not just for influencers - this booming industry offers big career opportunities across brand partnerships, tech startups, platform strategy and beyond. Whether you’re a creator, marketer, or entrepreneur, this interactive workshop unpacks the business of influence, audience growth, and revenue streams. Led by creator industry experts Hannah McElhinney and Jamie Searle (Snack Drawer), this workshop offers real-world insights, industry trends, and practical tools to help you carve out your niche and succeed in the evolving digital landscape.

What I Learnt About My Product When My Town Burnt Down
In January 2025, Tim Cadogan, CEO of GoFundMe, found himself on the frontlines of a natural disaster close to home—the devastating Los Angeles wildfires. Tim saw his street directly impacted by the wildfires, and through volunteering to help rebuild LA, witnessed firsthand the power of the GoFundMe platform. In his first ever talk in Australia, Tim will discuss the role emerging technology has in fostering resilience, strengthening communities, and ensuring those affected by disasters are not only supported in the immediate aftermath but empowered to rebuild sustainably for the future. As Australia faces increasing environmental crises, his powerful insights will inspire new ways of thinking about building tools for charitable giving, focused on responding to real needs and behaviours witnessed during these major crises.

AI Ethics: Australia’s Opportunity on the World Stage
Australia is falling behind the rest of the world in regulating AI. With no  national bill of rights and minimal protections for free will, choice and agency, we are at risk of entering a tech-dystopian world where we become the product. Join Dr Joshua Krook as he explores some difficult legal questions raised by AI, including the risks of bias and discrimination, privacy, a lack of human oversight and human rights. As a co-drafter of the Munich Convention on AI, Data and Human Rights, he will also discuss the relevance of ethical principles like transparency, accountability, and fairness, as well as the role of legal frameworks like the European AI Act, the world's first AI regulation.

Next Generation Human Space Exploration
Human space exploration is entering a revolutionary era. Missions to the Moon, spearheaded by NASA's Artemis program and commercial partners, will establish a sustainable lunar presence, serving as a gateway for future Mars exploration. Cutting-edge propulsion systems, AI-driven robotics, and in-space manufacturing will redefine how we live and work beyond Earth. The rise of space tourism, asteroid mining, and orbital habitats is pushing the boundaries of human potential in space. As we prepare for a multiplanetary future, interdisciplinary innovation—spanning AI, biotech, sustainability, and human psychology—will be crucial for survival and success. Join Kiriti Rambhatla (Metakosmos) as we explore the bold future of humanity beyond Earth and how next-gen space exploration will reshape life on our planet and beyond.

How We Fund More Female Founders: Angel Investing 101
Despite the massive potential of women-led businesses, female founders receive less than 2% of venture capital funding. Angel investing is a powerful way to bridge this gap while generating strong returns. Led by Simran Kaur (Girls That Invest) and featured in Forbes, Financial Times and Nasdaq, this session will break down how to confidently invest in female founders, even if you're new to angel investing. We’ll cover key investment strategies, how to evaluate opportunities, and common mistakes to avoid. Learn from real case studies and discover how you can diversify your portfolio while making a meaningful impact. Whether you're an experienced investor or just getting started, this session will equip you with the knowledge and network to support the next wave of successful women-led companies.

Inhabiting the Deep
We’ve all heard that most of the ocean remains unexplored, but what does that really mean for science, innovation, and the future of our planet? Beneath the surface lies a vast, mysterious world filled with potential discoveries that could transform our understanding of marine life, medicine, climate, and more.  Submersibles and remotely operated vehicles offer part of the solution, but what if we could go further – what if we could have a permanent human presence on the ocean floor? Join us as we dive into the challenges and promises of ocean exploration.

AI Is Here to Stay. So How Do Artists Stay Ahead?
AI isn’t just a creative tool; it’s the music industry’s next inflection point. Songs can now be generated in seconds, labels and tech companies are training AI models on decades of recordings, and streaming platforms are facing an influx of machine-made music. How do artists protect their work when AI can imitate anyone? And what role do labels, publishers, and platforms play in setting the rules? This panel unpacks the legal and financial stakes for artists, explores how copyright laws are scrambling to keep up, and asks whether the industry is ready for the next era of music ownership.

Building Global Superfans: How Artists Can Go Direct-to-Fan
Earlier this year, MIXDOWN predicted that the Australian music industry would lean further into direct-to-fan relationships in 2025. As artists and their teams explore how best to nurture relationships with the most engaged fans in their fanbase (the “superfans”), how can artists leverage 1:1 fan relationships to grow their audiences outside of their home market? This panel will explore how artists can use superfan engagement strategies and develop 1:1 fan relationships to support the export of their music to new markets – and in turn, build a truly global fanbase.

Designing for Everyone: Visitor-Centred Spaces and Inclusive Design
From groundbreaking insights achieved with the invention of The O—the world’s first location-aware museum guide at MONA—to the evolution of inclusive design practices at Pladia, this session captures a transformative journey in visitor experiences. Join, Pladia’s Co-founder, Nic Whyte, CEO, Andi Mastrosavas and Via David, Senior Product Designer, who reflect on the challenges of creating engaging, accessible museum environments, share how those learnings were harnessed to develop scalable solutions that bridge the gap between physical and digital realms, and discuss visitor behaviour and the complexities of wayfinding as an inclusive design challenge. This session explores how technology and design can create more accessible, engaging, and joyful public spaces for all.

Resale vs. Retail: Can Pre-Loved Fashion Compete with Fast Fashion?
Fashion is faster—and cheaper—than ever, with giants like Temu and Shein dominating the market. Can pre-loved fashion compete? The resale revolution is gaining momentum. eBay reports that over half of Australian consumers see secondhand shopping as a key trend and 84% have bought or sold pre-loved goods in the past year. But is sustainability enough to challenge ultra-fast fashion? Join industry leaders from Sendle, The Volte and eBay as they explore the forces driving resale’s rise and the challenges it faces. From shifting consumer values and the economics of secondhand shopping to logistics, trust and brand strategies, this panel will dive into whether the circular economy can stand up to the fast fashion machine—and what it will take to win.

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This is just the beginning. With hundreds more speakers, sessions, showcases and screenings still to come, SXSW Sydney 2025 is shaping up to be an unmissable celebration of ideas, innovation and culture.

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Explore the newly announced speakers and sessions now here and stay tuned for more announcements soon!