Community voting for SXSW EDU 2026 is now open until Aug. 24. This is your chance to help shape next year’s programming by voting for the proposals you want to see on the 2026 agenda.
We invite you to support our proposals, and those of our partners, that take on some of education’s biggest challenges. From AI-powered teaching tools and new talent models to data-driven career guidance and smart state leadership on tech in schools, these sessions spotlight bold ideas and real solutions. These conversations will be moderated by Kumar Garg of Renaissance Philanthropy, as well as The Learning Agency’s own Ulrich Boser and Meg Benner.
Want to see these sessions come to life in Austin? Click on the links below, create an account through SXSW EDU PanelPicker, and cast your vote by clicking the heart for each session you want to see at SXSW EDU 2026.
You can vote for as many sessions as you’d like, so please join us in supporting these exciting proposals.
Moonshots that Move the Needle
Advanced technology is transforming how we support teachers and students, in and out of the classroom. This panel explores how bold, time-bound learning goals can drive innovation and attract impactful funding. Learn how moonshot models can unite diverse partners, validate breakthrough ideas, and accelerate breakthroughs in education.
A New Talent Playbook for Education Innovation
As AI capabilities evolve daily, unlocking their full potential in education requires access to top technical talent. Yet many innovators lack the resources or expertise to bring high-potential ideas to life. This session explores how models like shared talent hubs and fractional engineering networks can close talent gaps and help more organizations build impactful AI-driven tools for teaching and learning.
AI platforms for career navigation are on the rise, but can they truly serve the millions who need them most? What if better data is the key to building smarter, more effective tools? This panel brings together ed tech leaders and philanthropists advancing benchmark datasets to improve AI-driven career advice, ensuring these systems deliver relevant, actionable support for those pursuing upward mobility.
AI in Schools: How States Can Take the Lead
One survey found that 49% of students use ChatGPT at least once a week. As AI becomes a classroom staple, states can’t afford to stay on the sidelines, and one-size-fits-all policies won’t cut it. This panel explores how thoughtful state-level guidance can help school leaders and educators use AI safely and effectively, reimagine instruction, evaluate ed tech, and equip students for an AI-driven world.
Designing for Trust: Safeguarding Ed Tech Users
As AI and other advanced technologies spread rapidly, safeguarding in ed tech has never been more urgent. Yet the burden often falls on developers, as users and institutions may lack the expertise to evaluate how these tools are built, what data they collect, or how securely that data is handled. In this session, hear from ed tech education leaders on how they’re confronting these challenges, and what it will take to create safer, more trustworthy tools for learners.
