Broadcast Debut: October 2026 | Presenting Station: Austin PBS | 60 minutes
Made in Texas returns for its third season this fall with Tex Machina: AI, Energy and Water in Texas, a new 60-minute documentary that explains how artificial intelligence is reshaping Texas’s energy, water, economy, and communities. This episode is scheduled to debut the week of October 5, 2026 and will be presented by Austin PBS.
“Artificial intelligence is already reshaping Texas, from the data centers rising across our landscape to the strain it places on our power grid and water systems,” said Kierstan Schwab, Executive Director of Texas PBS. “Tex Machina doesn’t take sides in the debate over AI’s promise or its risks. Instead, it gives Texans the grounded, balanced understanding they need to make sense of a technology already changing their communities. That’s exactly the role public media should play: helping people see clearly what’s happening in their own backyard, so they can be part of the conversation about how we responsibly power the future.”
In a dynamic lecture brought to life with cinematic footage, energy expert Dr. Michael E. Webber explores the enormous electricity and water demands behind the AI revolution. Directed by Emmy-winning filmmaker Mat Hames, the film asks whether Texas can meet this extraordinary new demand while protecting its grid, its water, and its communities. The film visits massive data centers, oil fields, research labs, wind farms, and small towns across Texas, offering a grounded and balanced look at both the opportunities and risks AI presents.
Tex Machina: AI, Energy, and Water in Texas is part of Season 3 of Made in Texas, a PBS series featuring Texan filmmakers and celebrating the diversity of storytelling, culture, and voices within Texas. The episode marks the opening of Season 3 of the Texas series and will debut across the state.
It will also be available to stream starting Oct 6 on pbs.org and in the PBS app. Check local listings.
Since its launch, Made in Texas has served as a statewide platform for local filmmakers and producing stations to reach audiences across the Texas PBS stations, elevating regional stories to a broader audience.
| Broadcast Schedule | Episode 301 |
| Amarillo | 10/8/2026 9:00 PM |
| Austin | 10/5/2026 9:00 PM |
| College Station | 10/8/2026 9:00 PM |
| Corpus Christi | 10/8/2026 9:00 PM |
| Dallas/Fort Worth | 10/19/2026 8:00 PM |
| El Paso | 10/8/2026 9:00 PM |
| Houston | 10/8/2026 9:00 PM |
| Lubbock | 10/8/2026 9:00 PM |
| Midland/Odessa | 10/8/2026 9:00 PM |
| San Antonio | 10/8/2026 9:00 PM |
