South by Southwest Sydney (SXSW Sydney) has unveiled its initial keynote speakers for the second edition of its annual conference, scheduled to take place from October 14–20, 2024. The event, which is supported by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW, promises to spark challenging conversations at the intersection of technology, human rights, and wellbeing.

The first keynote speaker is New York Times best-selling author Johann Hari, known for his TED Talks on addiction and mental health, and his books 'Magic Pill' and 'Stolen Focus: Why You Can’t Pay Attention'. Hari's insights into mental health and the societal factors that influence it are expected to provoke thought-provoking discussions among attendees.

The second keynote speaker is Jennifer Robinson, a prominent human rights lawyer who has been involved in key human rights and climate cases. Robinson is also a long-standing member of the legal team defending Julian Assange and WikiLeaks. Her experience and expertise in human rights law will undoubtedly contribute to the depth and breadth of the discussions at the conference.

Other announced speakers include Min-Liang Tan, Co-Founder & CEO of Razer; best-selling author Amy Gallo; musician and mindfulness advocate Chad Lawson; Billboard Top Music Lawyer Priyanka Khimani; and many more. Australian actor Luke Hemsworth will moderate a panel titled 'Better than a Hollywood Movie: The highs, lows, epic moments, and colossal steps forward in bringing back the Tasmanian Tiger', featuring Ben Lamm, CEO of Colossal, and Professor Andrew Pask from University of Melbourne TIGRR Lab.

SXSW Sydney 2024 Badges are now on sale at the second release rate, with prices set to rise on August 30. The event has also announced the first round of partners for the 2024 event, including returning sponsors CommBank, NSW Government & Destination NSW, and new partners such as CyberCX, Procore, Aussie Broadband, among others.

SXSW Sydney Managing Director, Colin Daniels, expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming event, stating, "Our first two keynote speakers reflect our commitment to fostering challenging conversations. Discussing human rights and our wellbeing, intersecting with the rapidly evolving landscape of technology is more critical than ever. Our keynote speakers will ignite discussions that are not only timely but necessary, as we navigate the complexities of our modern world."