Unlocking the Future of Startups: AI’s Impact on Business

Artificial Intelligence is revolutionizing the way startups operate, affecting everything from sales to data security and rapid scaling. At TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, the AI Stage returns to focus on one of the most urgent topics in our community: the evolving business models shaped by AI, the myriad security challenges, and the innovative job roles that have emerged from this technology.

Join us from October 13–15 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, where industry leaders will tackle pivotal questions facing founders today. Topics include pricing AI products in a commoditized landscape, the need for comprehensive agent security, and redefining go-to-market strategies in an AI-centric world.

Don’t miss out—our current pricing window is closing soon! Secure your savings of up to $200 by getting your ticket here before it’s too late. Here’s what you can expect on the AI Stage, with more announcements coming soon:

Insights from Anthropic: Deploying AI Effectively

Most enterprise AI discussions happen before deployment; we’re taking a look at what happens afterward. Join Cat de Jong, Head of Applied AI at Anthropic, as she shares firsthand experiences with organizations implementing Claude in critical workflows. Discover what leads to success and what causes delays in deployment.

With Cat de Jong, Head of Applied AI, Anthropic

Understanding AI-Native: OpenAI’s Perspective

In just two years, Go-To-Market (GTM) engineering has become a cornerstone of the tech industry, facilitating million-dollar businesses. This session will explore how AI has transformed traditional GTM strategies and what AI-native GTM looks like in practice.

With Tara Seshan, Head of Productivity, OpenAI

Reassessing the Enterprise: A New Perspective

AI is making autonomous decisions within sensitive enterprise systems faster than existing security frameworks can handle. This session will analyze what robust enterprise AI security looks like in 2026, focusing on governance, observability, and trustworthiness of deployments.

With Arsalan Tavakoli, Co-founder and SVP of Field Engineering, Databricks

Addressing the Underlying Agent Security Issues

While Agentic AI shows great promise, its lack of inherent security poses significant challenges for enterprises. Join Ric Smith, President of Product & Technology at Okta, for a technical discussion on the infrastructure-level requirements for securing agentic AI.

With Ric Smith, President of Product & Technology at Okta

The Evolution of Video Intelligence: Real-Time Insights

Visual AI has advanced beyond preliminary demonstrations to real-time inference. Founders at the forefront delve into the implications of merging generative capabilities with genuine intelligence.

With Dean Leitersdorf, Co-founder and CEO, Decart, and Amit Jain, Co-founder and CEO, Luma AI

The SaaS Landscape: Redefining Business Models with AI

Is the concept of SaaS becoming obsolete? Engage with founders and platform leaders to discover how to sustainably price AI products, establish competitive advantages amidst commoditization, and adapt the SaaS model for the AI era.

With Arvind Jain, Founder & CEO, Glean, Barr Moses, Co-founder & CEO, Monte Carlo, Cathy Gao, Partner at Sapphire Ventures, and Aaron Jacobson, Partner, NEA

The Rise of GTM Engineers: AI’s Influence on Employment

GTM engineering, a role that barely existed two years ago, is now emerging as one of the fastest-growing job categories in tech. Learn how AI-native GTM practices are changing growth strategies.

With Kareem Amin, Co-founder and CEO, Clay

Securing the AI-Driven Enterprise: Navigating New Challenges

AI applications in critical enterprise systems require an evolved security framework. Join experts for an infrastructure-focused discussion on what enterprise AI security entails in 2026.

With Chet Kapoor, VP, Security Services & Observability, AWS, Katie Moussouris, Luta Security, and Wendy Nather, 1Password

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Whether you are reexamining your pricing strategy, addressing security deficiencies in your AI stack, or devising innovative go-to-market approaches, the AI Stage is designed for those shaping the future of these challenges.

You’ll engage with over 10,000 startup, tech, and venture capital leaders, gaining access to specialized stages, the Startup Battlefield, and extensive networking opportunities. Register today!

Discover More About Disrupt 2026

Explore the lineup of headline speakers.

Essential information for Founders attending Disrupt.

Find the best hotel deals for your stay during Disrupt.

Learn how to host your own Side Event at Disrupt.

Participate in Disrupt and discover how to showcase your startup.