Insights from 2026 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity

For those who couldn't attend, these are the threads that caught our attention at the 2026 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.

Cannes isn't one event. It's hundreds of panels, presentations, and conversations happening at once, bringing different perspectives. Take what follows as our slice of it.

As expected, the AI and tech conversation dominated the scene. On one side, there was real excitement about growth and efficiency. On the other, a genuine worry about the risks of brands losing their authenticity.

Honestly, the skepticism was refreshing. Technology is powerful, but human control and human creativity are what keep the connection real. The creator conversations and the push toward experiential engagement all pointed in this direction.

Which brings us to what stood out most. Governance came up in almost every conversation we had. There was real energy around cross-industry coalitions, shared standards, and unified approaches to transparency and accountability.

That's exactly why we are so pleased to have been part of the launch of the 3Cs Playbook: Skills for Inclusive AI by the Unstereotype Alliance. The Playbook introduces three practical skills to help reduce risk and unlock the benefits of inclusive AI. It's well worth a look.

Responsibility creates trust, trust builds connection, and connection drives growth.