SXSW 2026 Ireland House Programme

Speakers: Meisha-Ann Martin (Workhuman), Craig Funt (Qualcomm), Elles Skony (Moderator - Fractional People People)

AI is changing work fast. But are humans keeping up? Most transformations don’t stall on the algorithms – they stall because people don’t feel clear, safe, or included in what the future of work is asking of them. In this panel, Workhuman leads a conversation that will get practical about the culture mechanics of change.

This panel will explore how organizations can get the speed and scale AI can unlock, while elevating the uniquely human strengths that drive the business. We’ll unpack what it takes to build alignment during change and how leaders can use everyday human signals to measure new ways of working. Expect candid stories, real tradeoffs, and a playbook for operationalizing AI while keeping humans unmistakably at the heart of work.

Following a dynamic panel focused on humans and ai, this happy hour aims to continue the conversation in an authentic way.

​In an AI-saturated world, HUM — the Human Understanding Movement — is about strengthening what machines can't replace: empathy, presence, judgment, creativity, meaning-making, hope.

​For one afternoon at Ireland House, we're creating a space where you can actually recharge. Not just your devices. Yourself. ​HUM brings people together to explore the "human gap" the space where lived experience, intuition, and values still matter most.

We're building language and tools to design a future that centers human strengths, not just compensates for human limitations.

​But at SXSW, it starts simply:

​Sit down. Take a breath. Reconnect.

With Jennifer Strong, Peri Kadaster and Brenda Jordan.

Join us for a special live recording of The Next Innovation Podcast at SXSW!

Hosted by acclaimed tech journalist Jennifer Strong, this session will spotlight the future of AI through the lens of cutting‑edge innovation emerging from Ireland. Leaders from Nearform and Sobi Analytics will share insights on how AI is transforming industries, enabling smarter decision‑making, and shaping what’s possible next.

​Expect a dynamic, forward‑looking conversation at the intersection of technology, creativity, and real‑world impact.

Stop by Marlow to see MOIO during an intimate lunchtime gig.

MOIO doesn’t just make music, he commands emotion. In fact, the Nigerian-Irish singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist chases emotion with every lyric he pens, melody he sings, and beat, bassline, or guitar riff he plays. This pursuit has brought him to a space between genres, co-existing in the realms of R&B, indie, alternative, and soul, yet cleverly never committing to one above the other. By helming every aspect of his artistry, he’s able to operate fluidly, and his vision resonates across boundaries.

Growing up in Dublin, music called to MOIO as a child. His passion was fostered by church and the radio in equal measure. After taking piano lessons for several years, he taught himself guitar and bass. At 10-years-old, he sang live for the first time at school and fell in love with performing. Buzzing on Soundcloud with early uploads, he slowly but surely attracted an audience. Moio released his debut EP "Earthday" October 3, 2025.

Explore how sport, emerging technology, and major global events are driving new business, investment, and partnership opportunities across the sports ecosystem.

Speakers will examine real‑world applications, from performance analytics and fan engagement to sports diplomacy and international market expansion, with a particular focus on transatlantic collaboration.

Join us at Ireland House for a lively Irish Coffee Hour celebrating Sports Éire at SXSW 2026, featuring handcrafted Foxes Bow Whiskey Irish Coffees, live demos and activations from our Sports Éire partners, and premium Irish charcuterie provided by Ornua, all taking place at Ireland House and offering a warm, flavorful, and engaging space to continue the conversation and connect with leaders across sport and innovation.

Kick start your Saturday at Ireland House and watch Ireland take on Scotland in the Six Nations Rugby.

*No registration required*

Speakers: H&MV, ERCOT, CPS Energy and Rhythm Energy

With Texas poised to become the world's largest data center market by 2030, along with 4 million new residents, the Texas grid is experiencing explosive load growth with power demand projected to exceed 200 GW.

Investment in power infrastructure across transmission and distribution, solar, wind, battery storage and natural gas is expected to exceed $100 billion. How are we addressing challenges and opportunities to ensure stable integrated energy capacity and grid reliability in Texas?

AI has never been more powerful—or more overhyped. While demos multiply and valuations soar, founders face a harder reality: building AI that works reliably in the real world, scales beyond pilots, and delivers measurable business value.

​This panel cuts through the noise to focus on the hard problems of AI entrepreneurship: infrastructure, data readiness, enterprise adoption, trust, and global scale. Featuring leaders from leading tech companies the conversation will explore what it really takes to move from hype-driven prototypes to AI products that survive—and thrive—in production.

​Hosted in partnership with the Memphis Chamber, the discussion highlights how startups and global enterprises are increasingly co-building AI solutions, and how founders can plug into international ecosystems to accelerate scale, credibility, and impact.

​If you’re serious about building AI beyond the demo, this session is for you.

Speakers: Sarah Murphy (Moderator), Hugo Smith, Barry Conlon, Niamh Faller,

Ireland is rapidly becoming one of the world’s most dynamic AI hubs - proving that you don’t need to be in San Francisco to build a billion dollar company anymore. Its rise mirrors what’s happening in places like Austin, where vibrant communities, not geography, are becoming the true drivers of innovation. For a nation of just five million people, Ireland continues to punch far above its weight, producing global AI leaders and scaling startups.

This panel explores how Ireland’s unique ecosystem - deep technical talent, strong research infrastructure, pro innovation policy, and a tightly connected founder community - creates an outsized impact on the global AI landscape. We’ll discuss what the U.S. can learn from Ireland’s model, why small nation agility cultivates big nation opportunity, and how Irish U.S. collaboration is accelerating AI innovation across the Atlantic.

Moderator: Caroline Wilson - UTA Entertainment and Culture Marketing
Speakers: Amy Hahn - Amazon/MGM, Deborah Doherty - Elephant Goldfish, Ruth Tracey - Tailored Films (client)

Ireland’s film and screen industries are entering a new era, powered by cutting-edge technology, global creative talent, and a rapidly expanding digital ecosystem.

This panel explores how Ireland is leveraging innovation, from virtual production and real-time rendering to AI-enhanced workflows, immersive storytelling, and next-generation post-production — to compete on a global stage.

Leaders from Ireland’s technology, filmmaking, and content sectors will discuss how studios, startups, and creative teams are collaborating to reshape production pipelines, attract international investment, and deliver world-class storytelling.

With Ireland now home to major Post and VFX hubs, state-of-the-art stages, and groundbreaking research in digital media, this session uncovers why the country is becoming one of the most dynamic partners for screen innovation.

Speakers: Michael Guerin (Imvizar), Janet Beck (Glasseye)

From iconic cinemas to cultural landmarks, festivals, retail spaces, and enterprise businesses, location-based XR is transforming how audiences, brands and organisations engage with physical spaces. Join Michael Guerin (Imvizar), Janet Beck (Glasseye), and Shawn Barrett of the TCL Chinese Theatre for a conversation about how immersive technology is reshaping how audiences gather, explore, and experience stories together.

Moderated by Muki Kulhan, this panel explores the rise of immersive experiences designed specifically for real-world spaces; from large-scale installations like The Intelligence Garden at Outernet London to interactive employee engagement initiatives worldwide with Salesforce, interactive brand campaigns and immersive activations at the TCL Chinese Theatre.

Join us at Ireland House for a lively Irish Coffee Hour celebrating Creative Éire at SXSW 2026, featuring handcrafted Redbreast Cocktails, live music and premium Irish charcuterie provided by Ornua, all taking place at Ireland House and offering a warm, flavorful, and engaging space to continue the conversation and connect with leaders across sport and innovation.