TechCrunch has unveiled the lineup for its new Real World AI Stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, a track dedicated to AI's growing presence in the physical world, from robotics and defence to industrial automation and biotechnology. The addition reflects how rapidly autonomous hardware is moving beyond self-driving cars into public spaces, battlefields, homes and even conservation science, prompting the event to split its previously single AI stage into two.

Confirmed sessions include Shield AI's Nate Michael on safety-critical AI systems, Colossal Biosciences CEO Ben Lamm discussing de-extinction technology, and a panel on AI operating without cloud connectivity featuring FieldAI, Medra and Eclipse Ventures. A further session on scaling hard-tech prototypes into real businesses will bring together leaders from MBRYONICS, Bedrock Robotics and Foxglove. The event runs from 13 to 15 October at San Francisco's Moscone West, with a $100 ticket discount available to those registering before 11:59pm PT on 7 August.