[ICNX 2025] Hugh Forrest | Former SXSW President on Entertainment Tech & Advanced Visual Media

✨ Community-Centered Growth: Lessons from SXSW

INCHEON, South Korea – Sustained exchange through small-scale, deep networks creates more powerful innovation ecosystems than short-term expansion, with SXSW's experience offering insights for Korea's entertainment tech ecosystem on evolving beyond one-time events into year-round participatory communities.

In his opening keynote "From Austin to Asia: The Spread of Advanced Visual Media and EnterTech Innovation," former South by Southwest (SXSW) CEO Hugh Forrest emphasized that "even in the AI era, human creativity cannot be replaced," stressing the essence of community and the importance of human connection.

Forrest, who over 30 years transformed SXSW from a simple music festival in Austin, Texas into a global hub for technology, innovation, and culture, referenced its role as a launching point for innovations like Twitter and Uber, reflecting on social media's impact on society and lessons learned.

"AI provides tremendous opportunities, but human creativity can never be replaced," he said, emphasizing the importance of responsible regulation in adopting new technologies. He explained that sustained exchange through small-scale, deep networks creates stronger communities than short-term expansion, suggesting development into year-round participatory communities rather than one-time events.

Looking ahead, Forrest predicted that immersive technologies like AR, VR, and XR will combine with AI to create more practical and natural user experiences. He emphasized that creating transformative experiences through long-term, organic growth is more important than short-term results.

Forrest concluded by encouraging participation in SXSW 2026 in Austin and introducing his new consulting company, Gather & Grow Experiences, which designs community-centered events worldwide. Praising Korea's cultural creativity and technological potential, he conveyed that "sustainable creativity, collaboration, and responsible innovation are the keys to unlocking the future."

❗As the presentation screen was not captured in the live broadcast, you may view the presentation materials at the link below:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SBmanCEYL6JVORQ9WpkxPnlAx4qWQzun/view?usp=sharing)

Produced By Seungjin Shin, K-EnterTech Hub
Video provided by ITP (Incheon Techno Park)
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