Colossal Biosciences joined a discussion at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 about using AI to engineer nature’s comeback, raising ethical and scientific questions about de-extinction.
The conversation focused on the technologies behind de-extinction, the role AI now plays in modern biology, and the growing debate over whether engineering nature represents a conservation breakthrough — or a distraction from protecting the ecosystems we already have.
The session explored how AI is reshaping scientific research, particularly in biology, where it is used to analyze genetic data, model biological systems, and accelerate discovery. Companies like Colossal are pushing those advances even further, applying AI alongside synthetic biology to questions that until recently belonged in science fiction.
Ben Lamm, co-founder and CEO of Colossal Biosciences, has spent more than two decades building companies at the intersection of AI and emerging technologies. Before founding Colossal, he launched several pioneering technology companies, including Hypergiant, Conversable, and Chaotic Moon, which were later acquired by Trive Capital, LivePerson, and Accenture, respectively.
"Reviving extinct species captures headlines. The broader questions may prove even more significant," said Lamm. The discussion asks what role emerging technologies should play in solving some of the world’s most complex problems and who gets to decide.
The announcement follows the return of TechCrunch Disrupt to Moscone West in San Francisco, bringing together 10,000+ founders, investors, and operators for 250+ sessions exploring the technologies and market forces shaping what’s next. The session highlights the growing intersection of AI, biology, and conservation.
Colossal Biosciences did not say whether de-extinction should be pursued as a conservation strategy, and raised the open question of whether engineering nature represents a breakthrough or a distraction from protecting existing ecosystems. The company said it will continue exploring the ethical and scientific implications of its work.
Source: techcrunch
