At TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, AI remains a central focus, so much so that we're expanding our dedicated AI programming into two distinct stages. The technology, its implications, and the key players are evolving at breakneck speed, demanding deeper exploration.
The AI Stage continues as expected, with a lineup of sessions and speakers available for review. But brand new for TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 is the Real World AI Stage.
This stage explores the intersection of the digital and physical worlds, where autonomous hardware moves beyond self-driving cars to enter public spaces, battlefields, our homes, and even assist in bringing extinct species back to Earth. Expect in-depth discussions on how the blending of these realms will reshape industries and society.
The lineup features speakers from Shield AI, Colossal Biosciences, FieldAI, Foxglove, and more to be announced. Join us October 13–15 at San Francisco’s Moscone West. As a bonus, if you register before 11:59 p.m. PT on August 7, you can save an extra $100 on your ticket.
Here’s a first look at our Real World AI Stage sessions:
Building AI Systems When Failure Is Not an Option
With Nate Michael, CTO, Shield AI
When AI enters the physical world, the consequences of failure escalate dramatically. A single error could ground an aircraft, cause a vehicle crash, or compromise an entire mission.
In this session, leaders building autonomous vehicles, defense technologies, and industrial systems will tackle a critical question every hard tech founder must face: How do you know when your system is truly ready for safe deployment?
We’ll explore how founders can foster a safety-first culture, test and validate AI rigorously, navigate regulatory hurdles, and build companies that earn trust when stakes are highest.
Can We Engineer Nature’s Comeback?
With Ben Lamm, CEO, Colossal Biosciences
Ben Lamm has built one of tech’s most controversial companies by turning de-extinction from science fiction into a billion-dollar business. In this fireside chat, the Colossal Biosciences CEO will discuss the technologies behind reviving extinct species, the role AI plays in modern biology, and the growing debate over whether engineering nature is a conservation breakthrough—or a distraction from protecting what already exists.
Operating at the Edge: How AI Works When the Cloud Doesn’t
With speakers from FieldAI, Foxglove, and more TBA
AI systems increasingly run in environments where cloud connectivity is unreliable, unavailable, or too slow. This session dives into edge AI—how autonomous machines process data locally, make split-second decisions, and operate securely in remote or hostile settings. Expect practical insights on hardware constraints, latency management, and real-world deployments in factories, farms, and disaster zones.
More sessions will be announced soon. Stay tuned to the TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 agenda for the latest updates.
via TechCrunch AI