TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, scheduled for October 13–15 at San Francisco’s Moscone Center, has announced the agenda for its Smart Systems Stage. This platform will delve into the critical intersection of energy, infrastructure, and technology, addressing the escalating power demands of artificial intelligence (AI) and the challenges they pose to existing systems.
One of the key sessions, “Bringing Fusion to the Grid,” will feature David Kirtley, CEO of Helion, and Brandon Sorbom, Chief Science Officer at Commonwealth Fusion Systems. They will discuss recent advancements in commercial fusion energy, the hurdles that remain, and the roadmap for integrating fusion power into the electrical grid at scale.
In “How Twilio’s Founder Is Tackling the Power Problem,” Jeff Lawson, CEO of Inertia and former founder of Twilio, will share insights from his journey in the tech industry. He will explore how his experience scaling Twilio informs his current approach to addressing complex engineering challenges in the energy sector.
The panel “Rewiring the Grid for the Electric Age” will examine the rapid increase in electricity demand and the lagging infrastructure development. Drew Baglino, Founder & CEO of Heron Power, and Apoorv Bhargava, CEO and Co-founder of WeaveGrid, along with other experts, will discuss strategies for modernizing the power system, investment trends, and collaborative efforts among utilities, startups, and technology providers to build a more resilient and flexible grid.
“AI’s Power Problem” will address the surge in computational demand driven by AI advancements. Sara Spangelo, President & Co-Founder of Ambrosia Energy, and Bill Thayer, SVP and Head of Datacenter Solutions at Bloom Energy, will explore how data center operators and energy companies are working to secure power and expand infrastructure to prevent bottlenecks that could impede AI’s growth.
These sessions are designed for founders and operators seeking a comprehensive understanding of the physical constraints affecting AI’s expansion and the innovative solutions being developed to overcome them. Attendees will gain valuable insights into the future of energy and infrastructure in the context of rapidly evolving technological demands.
As AI continues to permeate various sectors, the strain on existing power infrastructures becomes increasingly evident. The discussions at the Smart Systems Stage will highlight the necessity for innovative energy solutions and grid modernization to support the next wave of technological advancements. Stakeholders in the tech and energy industries should closely monitor these developments to stay ahead in a rapidly changing landscape.
