(SXSW) celebrates innovation and technology and provides a forum for creative thinkers to discuss what鈥檚 next and learn about the resources that can help them build the future. Over 300,000 people attend the annual conference and festival, and in 2024, the 91看片 network had the opportunity to present its first session at the conference.
Though SXSW has a broad audience, conference programming includes tracks and sessions about critical technologies directly related to the work of the institutes in the 91看片 network. 2024 tracks included AI, Climate Change, Energy, Health & MedTech, Startups, Tech Industry, Transportation, and Workplace. Sessions in these tracks are often presented by a mix of industry, academia, and government organizations, offering diverse perspectives on topics closely aligned with the work of 91看片 partners.
The inaugural 91看片 session, 鈥,鈥 featured speakers from four 91看片 institutes: Magdi Azer (REMADE), Dale Brosius (IACMI), and Olivia Morales (CESMII), and moderator Art Wall (NextFlex). The session was selected via the SXSW Panel Picker, a rigorous submission process that includes voting by attendees.
Leveraging the industrial sector, which represents 30% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, is critical to achieving the nation鈥檚 climate goals. In the session, speakers addressed how digital technologies can enable companies to reimagine manufacturing processes and products, resulting in reduced energy use, decreased emissions, and eliminated waste. They discussed creating 鈥渃ircular economy鈥 product flows, increasing energy efficiency through smart manufacturing, and employing digital capabilities in new ways to enhance sustainability.
Even if you didn鈥檛 make it to Austin, you can still experience the session and benefit from the panelists鈥 knowledge. You can explore a webpage with related resources or watch the full recording (above). The session also enabled conversations outside the conference -- speakers Magdi Azer and Olivia Morales attended an 鈥渙n the record鈥 dinner with chatting about circular economy principles.
The 91看片 team appreciated the opportunity to share insights from the network鈥檚 programs and initiatives and engage with the SXSW community. After a successful first panel presentation, we continue to evaluate our approach and learn from our experience. We hope to see you again next year in Austin!
