TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, scheduled for October 27–29 in San Francisco, is set to convene over 10,000 leaders from startups and venture capital firms to delve into the future of innovation. This year’s event will prominently feature two AI Stages, emphasizing the convergence of design and machine learning.
A highlight of the conference is the participation of Alejandro Matamala Ortiz, co-founder and Chief Design Officer of Runway. Ortiz will engage in a pivotal panel discussion, sharing insights on how design principles are steering the evolution of generative AI tools. He will also discuss how his team at Runway is redefining creativity in an era dominated by machine intelligence.
The Significance of This Session
Attendees can anticipate actionable insights into the collaboration between creative professionals and technologists to develop tools that enhance, rather than replace, human expression. Ortiz will present a design-centric approach to crafting intuitive, artist-friendly AI experiences that are already transforming industries ranging from film to marketing.
Alejandro Matamala Ortiz: A Brief Background
Before co-founding Runway, Ortiz served as a research resident at New York University, focusing on the interplay between artificial intelligence and creativity. Currently, he leads Runway’s vision for accessible, cutting-edge creative software that is reshaping global content creation and production.
Runway: Pioneering AI in Creative Industries
Established in 2018 by Alejandro Matamala Ortiz, Cristóbal Valenzuela, and Anastasis Germanidis, Runway has emerged as a leader in generative AI for content creators. The company offers a suite of AI-powered tools designed to streamline and enhance the creative process across various media formats.
Runway’s flagship products include Gen-1 and Gen-2, AI models capable of generating videos from text prompts or existing images. These tools have been utilized in notable projects, such as the Oscar-winning film Everything Everywhere All at Once and music videos for artists like A$AP Rocky and Kanye West.
Recent Developments and Future Prospects
In April 2025, Runway secured $308 million in a Series D funding round led by General Atlantic, elevating the company’s valuation to over $3 billion. This substantial investment underscores the growing recognition of Runway’s impact on the creative industry and its potential for future growth.
As the intersection of AI and design continues to evolve, sessions like the one featuring Alejandro Matamala Ortiz at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 offer valuable perspectives on the future of creativity and technology.
