Artificial Intelligence has dramatically transformed startup operations by revolutionizing their sales approaches, data security measures, and scaling capabilities. At the upcoming TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, the AI Stage will again feature discussions on this pivotal topic, courtesy of Google for Startups. This year, the focus will be on the evolving business models influenced by AI, the significant security challenges that remain, and the novel job roles that have emerged in the AI landscape.
The event will be held from October 13 to 15 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco. Attendees will engage with industry leaders on pressing issues such as pricing AI products in a commoditized environment, the necessity to overhaul agent security fundamentally, and what a market approach means in an AI-centric era.
As our current ticket pricing window is nearing closure, now is the time to secure your pass at a discount of up to $200. Don’t miss your chance—grab your ticket before it’s too late. Here’s a preview of what to expect at the AI Stage, with more details on speakers and sessions to come:
Insights from Anthropic on Enterprise AI Deployment
Most discussions about enterprise AI take place before implementation; this one focuses on what happens afterward. Cat de Jong, Anthropic’s Head of Applied AI, shares insights from working directly with enterprises using Claude for vital workflows, revealing patterns that the public rarely sees. The session will uncover where successful deployments occur, where challenges arise, and what distinguishes organizations that derive real value from those stuck in pilot phases for extended periods. Join us to gain a clearer vision of the future of enterprise AI.
Featuring Cat de Jong, Head of Applied AI at Anthropic
Understanding AI-Native Development: A Discussion with OpenAI
The role of go-to-market (GTM) engineering has exploded over the past two years, giving rise to new independent practitioners building multimillion-dollar companies. This session will explore how AI has disrupted traditional GTM strategies, resulting in a newly established field. Participants will leave equipped with knowledge of what AI-native GTM looks like and how it’s transforming company growth strategies.
Featuring Tara Seshan, Head of Productivity at OpenAI
The Enterprise Isn’t Flawed; Your Perceptions Are
As AI systems operate autonomously within highly sensitive enterprise environments, traditional security measures are often inadequate. This session will outline what enterprise AI security entails in 2026, covering aspects such as observability, governance, and the structure that defines trustworthy from unreliable deployments.
Featuring Arsalan Tavakoli, Co-founder and SVP of Field Engineering at Databricks
Uncovering the Agent Security Challenge
While agentic AI possesses substantial capabilities, it was not designed with security in mind. Enterprises attempting to leverage it must reinvent foundational aspects of cybersecurity. This session will provide a straightforward technical discussion on the requirements of agent security at the infrastructure level, highlighting the flaws in current application-level permission models and critical architectural choices for deploying agentic AI successfully.
Featuring Ric Smith, President of Product & Technology at Okta
The Evolution of Video Intelligence: Real-Time and Advanced Reasoning
Visual AI has progressed from mere demonstrations to real-time inference and physical reasoning. Founders operating at the cutting edge will discuss the implications of this advancement when generative capabilities transition into authentic intelligence.
Featuring Dean Leitersdorf, Co-founder and CEO of Decart, and Amit Jain, Co-founder and CEO of Luma AI
Revolutionizing SaaS: The Impact of AI
Is the traditional SaaS model obsolete, or is it simply evolving? This session gathers founders and platform leaders who are navigating this transformation in real-time to gain actionable insights. Participants will leave with enhanced knowledge on sustaining AI product pricing, building defensible business strategies in a commoditized market, and making SaaS viable in the AI age.
Featuring Arvind Jain, Founder & CEO of Glean, Barr Moses, Co-founder & CEO of Monte Carlo, Cathy Gao, Partner at Sapphire Ventures, and Aaron Jacobson, Partner at NEA
The GTM Engineer: AI’s Response to a New Job Market
The role of GTM engineer emerged as a new concept just two years ago but has quickly become a key position in the tech landscape, with many practitioners achieving significant financial success. This session outlines what effective AI-native GTM looks like and its implications for business growth.
Featuring Kareem Amin, Co-founder and CEO of Clay
Securing the AI Enterprise: The Increasing Complexity of the Cloud
AI is now integrated into the most secure enterprise frameworks, making real-time decisions at a pace and scale beyond the capabilities of existing security structures. This session will delve into what 2026 demands for enterprise AI security, highlighting observability, governance, and the frameworks that distinguish reliable deployments from those that pose risks.
Featuring Chet Kapoor, VP of Security Services & Observability at AWS, Katie Moussouris from Luta Security, and Wendy Nather from 1Password
Whether you’re reassessing your pricing strategy, addressing security vulnerabilities in your AI setup, or crafting an innovative market approach, the AI Stage offers a collaborative environment for pioneers steering the next evolution of technology.
Join over 10,000 leaders from startups, tech, and venture capital industries, gaining access to additional stages, networking opportunities, and the exhibition floor. Register now to participate!
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