TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 to introduce new Real World AI stage in San Francisco
The TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 conference, to be held October 13–15 at Moscone West in San Francisco, will for the first time feature a dedicated Real World AI stage. It will focus on the intersection of the digital and physical worlds, including robots, autonomous transportation, defense and industrial systems, and biotechnology, TechCrunch reports.
Organizers expanded the program from one AI-focused stage to two because AI technologies, their implications, and the range of industry participants are rapidly evolving and expanding. Alongside the new Real World AI Stage, the event will host the AI Stage, where discussions will include security gaps and changes to SaaS companies’ business models under the influence of AI.
Robots and safe AI deployment
One topic of the Real World AI Stage will be the shortage of data for creating general-purpose robotics. During a session on the so-called ChatGPT moment for robots, Les Karpas, head of Physical AI at Nvidia, will discuss the data, simulation environments, and foundation models needed to advance physical AI.
Shield AI Chief Technology Officer Nate Michael will take part in a discussion on the safe deployment of AI systems in autonomous transportation, defense, and industrial solutions. Participants will discuss testing and validation of such systems, regulatory barriers, and building a safety culture.
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Biotechnology and edge computing
Colossal Biosciences CEO Ben Lamm will discuss technologies for restoring extinct species, the role of AI in modern biology, and the debate over whether engineering intervention in nature is a breakthrough for conservation or a distraction from protecting existing species.
A separate session will focus on AI operation in environments where cloud services are unavailable or connectivity to them is limited, and latency is critically important. It will feature FieldAI founder and CEO Dr. Ali Agha, Medra founder and CEO Michelle Lee, and Eclipse Ventures partner Aidan Madigan-Curtis.
The program also includes a discussion on deep tech startups’ transition from prototypes to manufacturing and scaling. Its participants will be MBRYONICS co-founder and CEO John Mackey, Bedrock Robotics co-founder and CEO Boris Sofman, and Foxglove CEO Adrian Macneil.
