Amazon's SVP of Devices and Services, Panos Panay, will speak at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 about the future shape of consumer hardware as AI shifts from standalone apps into the core of devices and operating systems. His appearance matters because he brings direct experience reshaping product categories, having previously led Microsoft's Surface line and Windows 11 development, and is now steering Amazon's device strategy following the generative AI overhaul of Alexa.

Panay spent more than 19 years at Microsoft, including as EVP and chief product officer, before joining Amazon to succeed longtime devices chief David Limp. At Amazon he has driven the rollout of Alexa+ across several access tiers in the US this year, and at Disrupt he is expected to discuss what comes next for Amazon and Alexa+ as the industry considers alternatives to the smartphone, such as AI assistants or wearable devices. TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 runs 13–15 October at San Francisco's Moscone West, with over 10,000 founders, investors and startup community members expected to attend.