TechCrunch Disrupt 2026’s biggest stage features leaders from Amazon, Replit, Tether, with much more to come
TechCrunch has announced the first speakers and sessions for its Disrupt 2026 conference, focused on building, funding and scaling companies in the AI era. The event will take place at San Francisco’s Moscone Center from 13 to 15 October, with further programme announcements expected.
– Amazon’s Panos Panay will discuss what could replace the smartphone as AI changes how people use technology. – Benchmark’s five partners will debate startup opportunities, founder mistakes and emerging sectors. – Replit CEO Amjad Masad will examine AI-enabled software creation and entrepreneurship. – Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino will discuss stablecoins, regulation and global payments. – Flock Safety CEO Garrett Langley will address AI, surveillance, privacy and public safety. – Harvey CEO Winston Weinberg will discuss AI’s impact on enterprise knowledge work. – Cerebras will feature in a session on AI compute, energy and infrastructure.
In short
- Disrupt 2026 will focus on practical questions facing AI-era founders.
- Amazon, Replit, Tether and Benchmark leaders are confirmed speakers.
- The San Francisco event runs from 13 to 15 October.
Explained simply
TechCrunch Disrupt is a major annual technology conference held in San Francisco that brings together business leaders, entrepreneurs and investors to discuss the direction of the tech industry. The event focuses on how companies are building, funding and scaling operations, with recent editions increasingly emphasising artificial intelligence and its applications across various sectors.
The 2026 conference will feature discussions on topics ranging from how AI is transforming software development and enterprise work, to its role in digital payments and public safety. These subjects reflect the technology industry's current preoccupation with understanding the opportunities and risks that artificial intelligence presents as it becomes increasingly embedded in business strategy.
Artificial intelligence has become central to how technology companies are planning their futures and developing new offerings. Industry conferences like Disrupt serve as important forums where leaders can debate the implications of these emerging technologies for business and society.