SXSW 2025 showcased unexpected AI frontrunners with Waymo robotaxis via Uber stealing attention alongside Colossal Biosciences’ genetically engineered Woolly Mouse. While many expected advanced AI assistants to dominate the conversation, transportation and biotech innovations captured the spotlight instead, reflecting how AI integration into consumer-facing technologies is accelerating across diverse sectors beyond digital assistants.
Top AI Stars of SXSW 2025:
1. Waymo robotaxis through Uber
- The autonomous taxis made their Austin debut through integration with the Uber app, marking a significant milestone in consumer-facing autonomous transportation.
- This practical application of AI technology demonstrated how self-driving vehicles are moving from theoretical showcases to mainstream consumer services.
2. Colossal Biosciences’ Woolly Mouse
- The tiny gold mouse with Woolly Mammoth genes took center stage during the keynote, representing breakthrough progress in the company’s de-extinction efforts.
- Colossal Biosciences founder Ben Lamm presented alongside investor and actor Joe Manganiello, continuing the company’s tradition of celebrity-backed SXSW appearances following 2024’s presentation with Seth Green.
3. AI-powered computational biology
- Beyond de-extinction, Colossal’s platform shows promise for addressing epigenetic diseases caused by generational trauma, according to Manganiello, who cited personal family history with autoimmune conditions.
- Lamm made bold predictions about medical advancements, stating: “I think in the next 15 years we’ll have a cancer vaccine, and in the next 20 years, we will achieve longevity.”
4. Mainstream AI adoption
- The event highlighted AI’s growing consumer presence, with 400 million people now using ChatGPT on mobile devices for queries previously directed to search engines.
- Industry expectations suggest this user base could reach one billion by next year, signaling a fundamental shift in how consumers access information.
5. Star-powered tech investment
- Colossal Biosciences’ investor roster includes notable entertainment figures like Peter Jackson, Chris Hemsworth, and Paris Hilton alongside traditional tech investors.
- The Winklevoss twins, early investors in the company, had previously described the venture as “a moonshot worth taking” when it launched in 2021.
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