AUSTIN, Texas — SXSW 2024 is only 10 days away, and the annual conference on Tuesday released its latest list of keynote and featured speakers lined up for the two-week event. 


What You Need To Know

  • SXSW on Tuesday released its latest list of keynote and featured speakers for the annual two-week conference

  • Keynote speakers include Tracy Chou, Deonne Castaneda and Jack Conte

  • Featured speakers include Selena Gomez, Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin, and Nick Kroll

Keynote speakers

Software engineer Tracy Chou, who is also the founder and CEO of Block Party and co-founder of Project, will join Head of Product Design at Block Party Deonne Castaneda to discuss internet privacy at the "Privacy-in-Progress: Redefining the Boundaries of Being Online" on March 9 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Then, Jack Conte, CEO of Patreon, will talk about today's internet algorithms' effects on the traditional "follower" for creators and promote new spaces on the internet that are creator-focused. "Death of the Follower & the Future of Creativity on the Web" will take place on March 15 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Featured speakers

Joined by mental health experts and advocates, actress and musician Selena Gomez will speak at the conference’s “Mindfulness Over Perfection: Getting Real On Mental Health.” The panel will focus on opening doors to talk about mental health in order to decrease stigma around the topic. Catch the discussion on March 10 from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Actress and comedian Ilana Glazer, along with Texas Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin, ACLU’s Nationwide Director of Artist & Entertainment Engagement Jessica Weitz and singer Danny Brown, will talk about the political landscape of the U.S. during a crucial election year. “State Of Being: How To Care in 2024” will take place on March 8 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Comedians Nick Kroll and Conan O’Brien will team up to discuss O’Brien’s new travel series “Conan O’Brien Must Go” and showcase never-before-seen footage of the four-episode series on March 9 from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Chair and CEO of Dell Technologies Michael Dell will speak on entrepreneurship, today’s trends in tech and the future of AI with CEO of Moor Insights & Strategy Patrick Moorhead on March 14 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for a discussion called “Business, Life, and the Magic of Austin.”

Austin City Limits creators will reflect on the past half century of the PBS series for its 50th anniversary this year. They will also discuss what's next for ACL in the future, which is now the longest-running music television program in history. Catch "Backstage with Austin City Limits (ACL): Five Decades of Music" on March 11 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Emily Ramshaw, CEO and president of Austin-based nonprofit newsroom The 19th News, will discuss geopolitics and civic engagement on March 10 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for the "Technology, Leadership, Geopolitics and the Future" panel.

Filmmaker Alex Garland (“Ex Machina,” “Annihilation,” “28 Day Later”) will talk about his film “Civil War” following its SXSW premiere on March 14. Garland will be joined by actresses Kirsten Dunst and Cailee Spaeny, who star in the film, and filmmaker Wagner Moura for a conversation on March 15 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

See the full list of featured speakers here.