Boost your AI infrastructure! A first look at the agenda for the Intelligent Systems Phase at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026

AI doesn’t run on code alone, it requires huge amounts of power, and this demand is increasingly becoming a bottleneck. At TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, the Intelligent Systems stage will be where energy, infrastructure, and technology collide, covering everything from fusion breakthroughs to the grid pressure that AI is putting on the entire economy.

From October 13-15 at San Francisco’s Moscone Center, join leaders from Commonwealth Fusion Systems, Helon, Inertia, Bloom Energy, and more as they delve into what it will actually take to power the next decade of innovation. We tackle everything from the path to business consolidation, to the grid and why utilities and startups are racing to modernize aging infrastructure, to how data center operators are scrambling to secure the electricity on which AI growth depends.

We’re also almost at the end of our current pricing window, so this is your chance to save on all our tickets for founders, investors, and more – get your ticket here before our current discounts end! As for the agenda, let’s explore the Smart Systems Stage lineup so far:

Bring fusion to the network

Leaders from Commonwealth Fusion Systems and Helion break down the breakthroughs driving commercial fusion forward, the challenges that still lie ahead, and what it will take to deliver fusion energy to the grid at scale.

With David Kirtley, CEO of Helion, and Brandon Sorboom, Chief Science Officer at Commonwealth Fusion Systems

How the Twilio founder addresses the energy problem

Inertia CEO Jeff Lawson joins for a candid conversation about his path from founding Twilio to leading one of the world’s best-funded fusion energy startups — and how scaling Twilio is shaping his approach to talent, timelines, and the tough engineering questions ahead.

With Jeff Lawson, CEO of Inertia

Reconnecting the grid for the electricity age

The demand for electricity is growing faster than the infrastructure built to support it. This session explores what it takes to modernize the energy system, where investment is flowing, and how utilities, startups, and technology providers are building a more resilient and flexible grid.

With Drew Baglino, Founder and CEO of Heron Power; Apoorv Bhargava, CEO and Co-Founder, WeaveGrid; More speakers will be announced

The problem of artificial intelligence power

As demand for computing soars, data center operators and energy companies are racing to secure power and expand infrastructure before it becomes a bottleneck that slows the next wave of artificial intelligence. Learn how leaders in both industries are addressing this issue.

With Sarah Spangelo, President and Co-Founder of Ambrosia Energy; Bill Thayer, Senior Vice President, Head of Data Center Solutions at Bloom Energy; More speakers will be announced

Whether you’re building the next advance in energy, rethinking grid infrastructure, or just trying to understand what’s really constraining AI growth, the Intelligent Systems Phase is designed for founders and operators who need the full picture—not just a headline and an LLM summary.

Plus, joining us at Disrupt 2026 means you get access to all the other stages, all the networking, every side event, and the rest of our full speaker lineup. It’s a three-day deep dive into the heart of the startup community that you’ll never forget, so sign up today!