Innovation in education carries responsibility.

New tools, new approaches, and new ways of working matter only if they improve learning experiences for all students and support educators in meaningful ways. Right now, education leaders are being asked to make decisions that balance urgency with care, and innovation with evidence.

This is where SXSW EDU plays an important role.

The conference has become a space where the field examines not only what is new, but what is viable. Conversations increasingly focus on how assessment, instruction, data, and professional learning can work together rather than compete for attention. There is growing recognition that coherence across systems is what ultimately supports equity and impact.

This year, the Collaborative Communications team will attend SXSW EDU 2026 to engage in these conversations and learn alongside educators, researchers, funders, and innovators. 

Are you interested in AI innovations or capacity building? If so, these sessions are worth attending:

• Join Curriculum Associates on March 10 at 9:00am for Voice AI & Assessments: Science, Ethics, & Potential, a candid discussion on how Voice AI can support K–12 classrooms and what leaders need to consider as adoption grows.
• Join Grantmakers for Education on March 10 at 11:00am for Let’s Talk Capacity: Building Resilient Organizations, a conversation about investing in people and infrastructure to sustain impact and navigate disruption.
• Join Children’s Funding Project on March 10 at 11:00am for Screen Time vs. Green Time: Reimagine Play in a Digital Age, exploring research and practical solutions to help schools and communities balance screen use with outdoor experiences that support youth development.
• Join Every Hour Counts on March 10 at 4:00pm for Arts, Culture, & Data: Reimagining Education with Afterschool, examining how arts and cultural experiences in afterschool programs can strengthen learning, engagement, and student well-being.