SXSW 2025: Don’t Miss These Talks!

Each March, the world’s eyes are laser focused on Austin, TX where the SXSW Conference convenes to display the latest thinking across industries and disciplines. This year, many Stern Speakers & Advisors will be in attendance, speaking about their work and imparting research-backed strategies for thriving in today’s business environment.

If you plan to attend SXSW, don’t miss these sessions. Come back to this blog post-conference — we’ll update the content with videos if they become available.

Navigation & Guidance in the Age of AI

March 3, 2025, 11:30am – 12:30pm CT

In a dynamic presentation, Julia Freeland Fisher, the director of education research at the Christensen Institute, author of “Who You Know,” and a top 100 education influencer who investigates the cutting edge of education technology (EdTech), student-centered program design, and the future of education, joins other entrepreneurs to explore what’s possible in the future of AI She’s a regular presenter at SXSW Edu. See her speak at the conference.

Working to Solve the Loneliness Epidemic

March 10, 2:30pm – 3:30pm CT

Left unchecked, loneliness can trigger disengagement, burnout and health problems. In this discussion, Connie Noonan Hadley, Ph.D., Boston University Questrom School of Business professor and founder and chief scientist at The Institute for Life at Work, and other experts will explain the drivers of this phenomenon and what steps can be taken to increase social support and connection. Watch this fascinating talk she gave on social media and well-being.

Spill the Tea: A Strategic Guide to Office Gossip

March 10, 2025, 4:00pm – 5:00pm CT

In her highly acclaimed 2022 book “Getting Along: How to Work with Anyone (Even Difficult People),” Amy Gallo introduced readers to the “the passive-aggressive gossip” and offered ways to improve working relationships and protect your career. A top expert on navigating conflict at work, Amy also shared some of her practical tactics at SXSW last year and her talk was a hit!

Building a More Just Economy: Holding Corporations Accountable

March 11, 2025, 10:00am – 11:00am CT

In a time when uncertainty feels like the dominant tone around the world, Nick Romeo, writer for The New Yorker and author of “The Alternative: How to Build a Just Economy” (2024) shares stories of successful economic programs on display around the world, making the case for an optimistic outlook on the future. Listen to this fascinating and insightful episode of the Minds Worth Meeting podcast for a preview of Nick’s session.

The Insights Showdown: Humans vs AI, Who Will Reign Supreme?

March 12, 2025 10:00am – 12:00pm CT

Taddy Hall is a senior partner at global creative agency Lippincott and an authority on brand-led transformation, innovation, sustainability and growth. In this interactive workshop, participants will discover Taddy’s unique and important perspective on AI initiatives, and how his work brings humanity to the critical experience of incorporating the technology into an organization’s strategy.

Azeem Azhar – session title TBD

Tuesday, March 11, 2025 from 2:30pm – 3:30pm

Azeem Azhar, author of the 2021 international bestseller, “The Exponential Age,” has built a reputation as one of the tech industry’s most influential futurists who can look ahead to the important technology trends of tomorrow and advise leaders on what actions to take today. A true multi-hyphenate – entrepreneur, investor, award-winning tech writer – he’s always at the cutting edge of technology, addressing emerging trends as they hit the media. His unique framework for assessing new technologies and signals of what’s to come is invaluable to leaders who are looking to understand emerging technologies to futureproof their organizations in 2025 and beyond.

Rebooting AI from the Ground Up

March 13, 2025, 11:30am – 12:30pm CT

How can we design AI systems that are safe, secure and responsible? Rumman Chowdhury, Ph.D., the CEO and co-founder of Humane Intelligence and a responsible AI pioneer, will explain her cutting-edge solutions for creating ethical, explainable and transparent technology that lowers the barriers to access and fairness. Check out her latest TED Talk to get a taste of her brilliance.

As AI makes its way into every aspect of life, it can be hard to keep up with how to adapt to and cope with it. Stern Strategy Group connects you with renowned thought leaders whose insights, strategies and management frameworks help organizations fuel growth and disruptive innovation to better compete in a constantly changing world. Let us arrange for these esteemed experts to advise your organization via virtual and in-person consulting sessions, workshops and keynotes.