TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 is set to expand its coverage of artificial intelligence with the introduction of a new 'Real World AI Stage'. This new stage will focus on the convergence of digital and physical AI, examining how autonomous hardware is moving beyond self-driving cars into public spaces, homes, and potentially aiding in the reintroduction of extinct species.
The event, taking place from October 13 to 15 in San Francisco, will feature a lineup of speakers from companies including Shield AI, Colossal Biosciences, FieldAI, and Foxglove. Sessions on the 'Real World AI Stage' will address challenges such as the data gap hindering general-purpose robotic intelligence, building AI systems where failure is not an option, and the role of AI in modern biology, including de-extinction efforts.
Discussions will also cover operating AI at the edge where cloud connectivity is limited, and the process of scaling deep tech startups from prototype to production in areas like space hardware and humanoid robotics.