This stage will explore the crucial intersection of the digital and physical realms, examining how these two domains are increasingly merging. We will delve into the expansion of autonomous hardware beyond self-driving vehicles, as it integrates into public environments, military operations, domestic settings, and even potentially aids in the reintroduction of extinct species to our planet.
The event boasts a comprehensive speaker lineup, featuring representatives from prominent organizations such as Shield AI, Colossal Biosciences, FieldAI, and Foxglove, with additional participants to be announced.
Join us for this exciting event from October 13 to 15 at Moscone West in San Francisco. As an exclusive offer, secure an additional $100 discount on your ticket if you register before 11:59 p.m. PT on August 7.
Below is an initial overview of the speakers and sessions featured on our Real World AI Stage:
Nate Michael, CTO, Shield AI
The integration of AI into the physical world dramatically elevates the stakes associated with system failures. Errors can result in severe repercussions, including grounded aircraft, vehicular accidents, or mission-critical compromises.
This session will feature industry leaders at the forefront of developing autonomous vehicles, defense technologies, and industrial systems. They will address a critical challenge for every hard tech founder: determining when a system is genuinely ready for safe deployment.
Discussions will delve into practical strategies for founders to cultivate a robust safety culture, rigorously test and validate AI systems, successfully navigate complex regulatory landscapes, and establish companies that inspire confidence in high-stakes operational contexts.
Ben Lamm, CEO, Colossal Biosciences
Ben Lamm, CEO of Colossal Biosciences, has pioneered one of the tech industry's most debated ventures, transforming the concept of de-extinction from speculative science fiction into a billion-dollar enterprise. During this fireside chat, he will explore the innovative technologies employed to resurrect extinct species, the significant role of AI in contemporary biology, and the intensifying discussion surrounding whether genetic engineering of nature represents a conservation breakthrough or a diversion from safeguarding existing biodiversity.
Dr. Ali Agha, CEO and Founder of FieldAI; Michelle Lee, CEO and Founder, Medra; and Aidan Madigan-Curtis, Partner, Eclipse Ventures
The most impactful AI deployments often occur in environments inaccessible to cloud infrastructure, necessitating a distinct technological framework for their development.
This session will convene prominent figures from the defense, space, and industrial AI sectors. They will share their strategies for deploying AI effectively at the edge, where low latency is crucial, connectivity can be intermittent, and operational failure is unacceptable.
Attendees can anticipate gaining practical insights into architectural principles, critical design decisions, and necessary trade-offs that enable AI-centric systems to perform reliably in real-world conditions.
John Mackey, CEO and Co-founder, MBRYONICS; Boris Sofman, Co-founder and CEO, Bedrock Robotics; and Adrian Macneil, CEO, Foxglove
A functional prototype does not equate to a market-ready product, nor does a shipped product automatically translate into a scaled business. The critical transitions between these stages are often where the majority of deep tech startups encounter significant challenges and ultimately fail.
While founders may possess strong teams and innovative technology, many struggle with the complexities of transitioning a prototype into full production and subsequently scaling operations to achieve higher, profitable volumes.
This session will feature founders who have successfully navigated this challenging gap within the domains of space hardware, humanoid robotics, and autonomous systems. They will candidly discuss their missteps, what they would have done differently earlier, and the realities of the prototype-to-production journey when confronted with supply chain intricacies and manufacturing demands, moving beyond controlled lab environments.
Disrupt 2026 offers an extensive program beyond this single stage. To provide a glimpse into the additional content available, we have also announced:
Join over 10,000 startup, technology, and venture capital leaders at Disrupt 2026 in San Francisco, from October 13–15. This three-day event promises unparalleled insights, the excitement of Startup Battlefield, extensive networking opportunities, and full access to every stage and the exhibition floor.
The Editorial Staff at AIChief is a team of professional content writers with extensive experience in AI and marketing. Founded in 2025, AIChief has quickly grown into the largest free AI resource hub in the industry.