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 changing creativity, branding, and real-time marketing
• The overlooked environmental cost of AI and data centers
• Why accessibility and empathy need to be part of the tech conversation
• The SXSW highs, lows, and weird logistical quirks

Bottom line: AI is here. The bigger question is what kind of world we’re building around it.

Read the companion articles: A-Ay Ay Ay and The Future of Health Is Connected: Skin, Brain, Microbiome on LessThanExpert.com

Panels mentioned in this episode:

• Better Leadership Starts with Understanding the Stressed Brain
• Featured Session: Amy Webb Launches 2026 Emerging Tech Trend Report
• The Next Digital Wave Excludes Millions. Let’s Fix it.
• Dirty Data: The Hidden Climate Cost of Our Digital Lives
• Why Will AI Make Brands Feel More Human and Not Less

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