TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 in the US to discuss teams with AI agents — TechCrunch
In San Francisco, United States, on October 13–15, TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 will host a session on building startup teams in which people work alongside AI agents. Gusto co-founder and CEO Josh Reeves, Insight Partners senior vice president Michelle Johnson, and Leland co-founder and CEO John Koelliker will speak on the Builders Stage at Moscone West.
AI agents in startups
As TechCrunch reports, the session participants will consider how early-stage companies can divide work between employees and AI agents without losing speed, accountability, and corporate culture.
AI agents are increasingly able to carry out multi-step tasks in engineering, customer support, research, and operational work. This offers startup founders a different approach to their first hires: first determining what work needs to be done and whether a person is the best performer for it.
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Accountability and the role of people
Among the issues planned for discussion at the session are who will review the results of AI agents’ work, make final decisions, and bear responsibility for system errors. The discussion will also cover functions that may be too important to delegate to artificial intelligence.
Reeves represents Gusto, which, according to TechCrunch, serves more than 500,000 companies in payroll, benefits, compliance, employee onboarding, HR, and retirement programs. At Insight Partners, Johnson works with company leaders in North America and Europe on go-to-market strategies, sales organizations, and AI implementation. Koelliker leads Leland, a career and talent platform in the AI era.
The participants will also consider what employees should focus on if AI agents can research potential clients, prepare communications, analyze data, and carry out parts of sales processes. TechCrunch notes that the conference will be attended by more than 10,000 startups, investors, and technology business representatives.
