SXSW 2025: AI Took Over Austin (And Didn’t Even Need a Badge)

Hello Innovators!

SXSW is always a big moment for tech, but this year, AI stole the show—and as an Austin-based company, we had front-row seats to all the action. From autonomous cars cruising downtown to heated debates on AI’s impact on privacy, jobs, and innovation, one thing is clear: AI is here, and it’s reshaping the way we live and work.

Here’s everything you need to know about AI at SXSW 2025—straight from our home turf in Austin, Texas.

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Waymo and Uber's Autonomous Ride-Sharing Debut

Austin's streets witnessed a futuristic transformation as Waymo and Uber launched their autonomous ride-sharing service just in time for SXSW. Attendees could hail driverless Waymo vehicles via the Uber app, marking a significant milestone in urban mobility. Even the Manning football family took a spin, showcasing the technology's reliability and ease of use.

AI's Role in Electric and Flying Vehicles

In a related session, "AI Is Accelerating the Evolution of Electric & Flying Cars" Qichao Hu, CEO of SES AI, and Steven Levine, Editor of The Information, discussed AI's pivotal role in advancing battery technology like that found in Waymo’s cars. By mapping the molecular universe, AI aids in discovering next-gen electrolyte materials, paving the way for longer-range and faster-charging electric vehicles.

Why This Matters to Enterprises

AI-powered autonomous transportation is a major signal for businesses in mobility, logistics, and urban planning.

• Workforce & Cost Impact: Fewer human drivers = lower costs, but major industry disruption.

• New Business Models: AI-powered fleets, insurance, and urban planning will see massive shifts.

• Better Battery Tech: AI-driven EV advancements will improve supply chains and energy storage.

• Regulation is Coming: Legal, insurance, and compliance frameworks will need to evolve fast.

This is bigger than driverless cars—it’s about how AI is reshaping mobility, energy, and enterprise strategy. The companies that adapt fastest will lead the way.

AI Is the New UI: How Qualcomm Sees the Future

In a featured session titled "AI is the New UI: Transforming Your Everyday," Qualcomm's CEO, Cristiano Amon, highlighted how AI is evolving into the ultimate interface, seamlessly integrating into our daily lives. This shift positions AI not just as a tool but as an intuitive extension of human capability.

Why this matters:

• Goodbye apps, hello AI agents – Instead of switching between apps, AI will handle tasks seamlessly across platforms.

• Your car is a supercomputer – AI-powered vehicles will respond naturally to voice and visual cues, making driving more intuitive.

• Wearable AI is coming – Augmented reality glasses will deliver real-time assistance based on what you see and do.

Amon’s vision is clear: AI is becoming the ultimate interface, blending into our daily lives in ways we won’t even notice—until we can’t live without it.

Unilever's AI-Driven Product Innovations

Unilever showcased how AI, machine learning, and data analytics are revolutionizing product development. By leveraging advanced technologies, they're speeding up innovation, cutting waste, and optimizing sales across their global brands.

What’s Changing:

• Faster Enzyme Development: AI-powered research cut ingredient use by 50% and developed new cleaning enzymes 5x faster than traditional methods.

• Smarter Supply Chains: AI analyzes weather patterns to forecast ice cream sales, reducing waste and boosting orders by up to 30%.

• Optimized Retail Partnerships: AI-driven customer connectivity helped Walmart Mexico hit 98% product availability, with plans to expand globally.

Why It Matters:

By leveraging AI, Unilever is developing better products in record time, improving sustainability, and setting new industry standards for efficiency. If AI can optimize everything from laundry detergent to ice cream sales, imagine what it can do for your business.

Mark Cuban: AI is a Tool, Not a Threat

Investor and lifelong entrepreneur, Mark Cuban, weighed in on AI’s growing influence, emphasizing that it’s a tool, not a replacement for human ingenuity.

His Key Takeaways:

• AI won’t take your job—but someone using AI will. Cuban stressed that businesses and individuals who learn how to leverage AI will have the advantage.

• Automation is inevitable, but creativity wins. AI can handle repetitive tasks, but strategy, relationships, and original thinking remain human strengths.

• The AI divide is growing. Companies investing in AI-powered efficiencies will outpace those who don’t, creating winners and losers in every industry.

Why It Matters:

Cuban’s perspective is a wake-up call for businesses: AI isn’t something to fear—it’s something to integrate. The real risk? Ignoring it while your competitors don’t.

Balancing AI's Benefits and Risks

At the Axios House SXSW event, experts discussed the dual-edged nature of AI. While it offers transformative benefits, especially in healthcare, there's a pressing need to manage its risks to ensure it serves humanity positively.

Key Takeaways:

• AI is here to stay: South Dakota Sen. Mike Rounds stressed that managing AI wisely is more important than trying to stop it.

• Healthcare revolution: AI could accelerate research and diagnosis, but experts warn against overhyping or underestimating its risks.

• Human responsibility: AI’s impact depends on how we build and regulate it, says Anthony Aguirre of the Future of Life Institute.

Why It Matters:

AI is reshaping industries, but its ethical and societal risks must be actively managed. A balanced approach is key to ensuring AI serves humanity positively.

TL;DR: What You Missed at SXSW 2025

• Waymo & Uber’s self-driving rides went live in Austin: No drivers, no problem. The Mannings even took a spin.

• Qualcomm: AI is becoming the new user interface: AI will soon replace traditional touchscreens and apps, making interactions more seamless and intuitive.

• Unilever is using AI to build better products, faster: From optimizing supply chains to designing new cleaning enzymes 5x faster, AI is reshaping product development.

• Mark Cuban: AI won’t take your job—but someone using AI will: Adapt or be replaced.

• AI’s benefits vs. risks is a growing debate: SXSW panels emphasized balancing innovation with ethical responsibility.

Final Thoughts

SXSW 2025 illuminated AI's expansive potential and the imperative for thoughtful integration into society. As we stand on the brink of an AI-driven era, it's crucial to harness its capabilities responsibly, ensuring technological advancements translate into meaningful human progress.

Stay sharp,

Cat Valverde
Founder, Enterprise AI Solutions
Navigating Tomorrow’s Tech Landscape Together