TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 is expanding its AI coverage with the addition of a new Real World AI Stage. This stage will focus on the intersection of digital and physical technologies, highlighting how autonomous systems are entering public spaces, battlefields, homes, and even efforts to bring extinct species back. The event will take place October 13 to 15 at San Francisco’s Moscone West, with additional programming across multiple stages. Attendees will have access to sessions on AI safety, de-extinction, edge computing, and scaling deep tech startups.
The Real World AI Stage will feature speakers from Shield AI, Colossal Biosciences, FieldAI, and Foxglove, among others. Sessions will address challenges in deploying AI in high-stakes environments, including how to ensure safety, navigate regulatory hurdles, and build trust. One session will explore the use of AI in reviving extinct species, while another will focus on AI systems operating at the edge, where cloud connectivity is limited. A panel will also discuss the transition from prototype to production in robotics and autonomous systems.
The event will also include other stages such as the Disrupt Stage, Smart Money Stage, and Smart Systems Stage, covering topics like AI security, financial trust, and fusion energy. Registration is open, with early-bird discounts available until August 7. Attendees can save up to $100 by registering before that date. The event aims to bring together over 10,000 startup, tech, and VC leaders for three days of insights, networking, and access to all stages.
Source: techcrunch
