SXSW is the event for sharing, learning, and connecting with the latest trends. The event relies on its community to propose and vote on innovative talks for the program. From August 6 to 19, you can vote on SXSW’s 2025 program, which will be held from March 7 to 15, 2025, in Austin, Texas.
Support the visionaries of our own DEPT® community by voting for one (or a few) of the talks below.
In the running
In 2050, 80% of classes will be taken on Roblox
Emy Cragoe, Technical Business Development Lead DEPT®
Roblox has become a hub for Gen Alpha to connect, learn, and inspire each other. That’s why we’re predicting that by 2050, Roblox will integrate further into our children’s daily lives, acting as a core platform for education.
AI for startups | The 80/20 principle for startup launch
Dave Merwin, Executive Sponsor & Product Strategist DEPT®
This session will look at real-world examples of how start-ups can use AI today. The general idea is that if you use AI to get 80% of the way to completion and you edit the last 20% yourself, you have achieved a massive increase in productivity. If you stop looking for silver bullets but instead look for silver threads that you can weave together, you’ll create real solutions today.
Create XR experiences with Lens Studio in five minutes
Dheeraj Tibrewal, Senior AR Developer DEPT®
Unlock the potential of Extended Reality (XR) by learning to create AR experiences using Lens Studio (in just 5 minutes.) This workshop is perfect for beginners and XR enthusiasts alike, offering a step-by-step guide to building interactive AR lenses—digital overlays that transform and enhance real-world environments through your device’s camera.
Fostering equitable and inclusive product development through play
Carlos Dominguez, Sr Director of Innovation and Client Services DEPT®
What if a playful mindset could foster an equitable and inclusive working environment, leading to more inclusive product development, which translates into better products and higher revenue? Drawing from 20+ years of experience in interactive products, games, and toys, Carlos will engage participants in a hands-on game. Through play, they will discover how a simple game can transform how we engage people, drive innovation, and foster a culture of empathy and creativity.
Out of character: AI and text-based roleplaying games
Anne van de Wijdeven – Lead Content Creative at DEPT®
We’ll explore a lesser-known use of AI: online text-based role-playing games. This 50-year-old medium has always relied on detailed technical infrastructures or other human players. Now, GenAI makes it much easier to participate in collaborative storytelling. Roleplaying platforms like Character.AI, JanitorAI, and NovelAI are reaching massive audiences. But what makes these sites so popular? And how does AI roleplaying help or harm those who engage in it?
10 years of pixels and play. A decade of digital design for kids
Johanne Rasmussen – Designer and Partner at DEPT®
YouTube Kids launched in 2015 and created a safe online environment for kids to browse in. Fast-forward to today, and we’re designing apps that turn toys into teachers! But here’s the thing: After 10 years of making tech for kids, our biggest challenge is…tech itself. How do we get them to unplug and play? Let’s dive in!
Win the internet with Brandom Content
Ramin Bahari – Creative Director at DEPT®
There are brands that seem to have reached a cult status online. While they are wildly successful, there doesn’t seem to be much “marketing logic” to what they are doing. But their organic reach is off the charts. We are here to introduce a new idea: Brandom Content.
Navigating ethical boundaries in advertising
Pooja Dindigal – Global Head of Impact at DEPT®
Does the advertising industry’s long history with controversial brands do more harm than good to society, people, and the planet? The drumbeat of criticism is loud: the UN Secretary-General called for a ban on fossil fuel advertising, and advertisers are being called out for working with these firms. While business, and the advertising industry, move towards embracing sustainability and social impact, can we ethically work adjacent to controversy?
