TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 is expanding its single AI stage into two separate events. The original AI Stage will cover sessions and speakers as usual. The new Real World AI Stage focuses on the intersection between digital technology and physical application.
Autonomous hardware is moving beyond self-driving cars into public spaces, battlefields, and homes. There is also discussion of using these tools to help extinct species return to Earth. The event takes place October 13 to 15 at Moscone West in San Francisco.
Robots Are Waiting for Their ChatGPT Moment. Here Is What Is Standing in the Way
Large language models gained internet access. Self-driving cars have millions of hours of road data. Robots have neither. Experts believe this data gap keeps general-purpose robotic intelligence years away despite other AI breakthroughs. Startups are building data pipelines and simulation environments to close the divide.
The session asks what is required for a ChatGPT moment in physical AI and how close we are.
With Les Karpas, Head of Physical AI, Nvidia
Building AI Systems When Failure Is Not an Option
Consequences change when AI enters the physical world. A mistake could ground an aircraft, cause a vehicle crash, or compromise a mission.
Leaders building autonomous vehicles, defense technologies, and industrial systems will discuss how to know when a system is ready for safe deployment. They will cover creating a safety culture, validating AI, navigating regulations, and building trust when stakes are high.
With Nate Michael, CTO, Shield AI
Can We Engineer Nature’s Comeback?
Ben Lamm built a controversial company by turning de-extinction into a billion-dollar business. He will discuss technologies used to revive extinct species and the role of AI in modern biology.
The chat covers the debate over whether engineering nature is a conservation breakthrough or a distraction from protecting existing species.
With Ben Lamm, CEO, Colossal Biosciences
Operating at the Edge: How AI Works When the Cloud Doesn’t
Valuable AI deployments operate where the cloud cannot reach. Building for these environments requires a different technological approach.
Leaders from defense, space, and industrial AI will share how they make AI work at the edge. Challenges include latency, limited connectivity, and the need for reliability. Expect practical lessons on architectural principles and design trade-offs.
With Dr. Ali Agha, CEO and founder of FieldAI; Michelle Lee, CEO and founder, Medra; and Aidan Madigan-Curtis, partner, Eclipse Ventures
From Prototype to Production: Can it scale in reality?
A working prototype is not a product. A shipped product is not a scaled business. Most deep tech startups die in the gap between these stages. Founders often lack the understanding required to move from prototype to production and profitable volume.
Founders in space hardware, humanoid robotics, and autonomous systems will share mistakes made and what they would do earlier. They will describe the journey when supply chains and manufacturing realities replace lab conditions.
With John Mackey, CEO, co-founder, MBRYONICS; Boris Sofman, co-founder and CEO, Bedrock Robotics; and Adrian Macneil, CEO, Foxglove
What else is on the agenda
There are other stages at Disrupt 2026. The Disrupt Stage features speakers from Replit, Amazon, and Tether.
The AI Stage covers security gaps and business model shifts for SaaS companies.
The Smart Money Stage covers stablecoins, instant payments, and AI’s role in financial trust.
The Smart Systems Stage tackles fusion breakthroughs and grid strain powering AI.
The Builders Stage covers raising, hiring, and scaling.
More than 10,000 startup, tech, and VC leaders will attend in San Francisco from October 13 to 15.
