Bluesky CEO Jay Graber and Music Icon John Fogerty Join SXSW 2025 Keynote Lineup
Photos Courtesy of MGN
By: Clara Faulkner
The countdown to SXSW 2025 is officially underway, and excitement is building with the announcement of two dynamic keynote speakers: Bluesky CEO Jay Graber and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer John Fogerty.
Jay Graber, whose leadership at Bluesky is redefining the social media landscape, will address how decentralization can empower users and reshape online communities. With over 28 million users since its launch in early 2024, Bluesky is rapidly gaining traction as a platform designed to put users first. In a keynote moderated by Mike Masnick of Techdirt, Graber will share insights into the platform’s rise and its vision for a more open and user-controlled digital future.
Artificial intelligence, another key focus of SXSW 2025, will feature prominently in discussions about its transformative potential. Cherie Hu, founder of Water & Music, will analyze how generative AI reshapes the music industry. In contrast, other industry leaders, including Cristiano Amon of Qualcomm and Dr. Rumman Chowdhury of Humane Intelligence, will explore AI’s broader impact across creative and technological landscapes. These sessions promise to provide valuable insights into the rapid evolution of AI and the ethical challenges it presents.
According to a press release, the conference will also highlight critical discussions on human rights and corporate responsibility in light of the ongoing reproductive rights debate in the United States. A panel featuring Chelsea Clinton, Nancy Northup, and Dr. Jamila K. Taylor will explore how businesses can better support employees’ access to reproductive healthcare. Moderated by ABC News Senior Political Correspondent Rachel Scott, the conversation will address the increasing demand for employer-covered healthcare benefits and the role of corporations in addressing these pressing issues.
Adding to the excitement, NASA’s Artemis II crew will share their experiences as they prepare for humanity’s first deep-space mission in over 50 years. The panel will feature astronauts Reid Wiseman, Christina Koch, Victor Glover, and Jeremy Hansen, who will recount their historic journey to orbit the Moon and provide a glimpse into the future of space exploration.