Robby Stein, vice president of product for Google Search, will lead a Builders Stage session at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 titled "From MVP to Billions of Users: How Product Decisions Must Change at Scale." The fireside chat will explore how product teams balance speed with trust and innovation with reliability when decisions affect billions of users.
Disrupt returns to Moscone West in San Francisco from October 13 to 15, bringing together more than 10,000 start-ups, investors, and tech decision-makers. Tickets are available at a discount of up to $200 until September 25 at 11:59 p.m. PT, with group passes for four or more offering up to 30% additional savings.
Stein's experience spans both startup and large-scale environments. He co-founded and led Stamped, a social recommendations startup acquired by Yahoo, and later spent five years leading consumer products at Instagram, where he helped build and scale Stories, Feed, Direct Messaging, and Reels. Before returning to Google in 2024, he was head of product at Artifact, an AI-powered newsfeed.
In his current role, Stein works on generative AI products and experiences within Google Search. In May, Google reported that AI Mode had surpassed 1 billion monthly users, a year after its debut. Earlier this year, Stein outlined updates that let people move from an AI Overview into a follow-up conversation in AI Mode, describing a search experience designed to accommodate both quick answers and deeper exploration.
The session will examine how product decision-making evolves as stakes increase, including where speed creates an advantage and where greater care becomes essential. It is aimed at founders and product leaders navigating the transition from an early product to a growing platform.