AI doesn’t run on code alone — it requires massive amounts of power, and that demand is increasingly becoming a critical bottleneck. At TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, the Smart Systems Stage will be where energy, infrastructure, and technology collide, covering everything from fusion breakthroughs to the grid strain AI is putting on the entire economy.
From October 13-15 in San Francisco’s Moscone Center, join leaders from Commonwealth Fusion Systems, Helion, Inertia, Bloom Energy, and more as they dig into what it actually takes to power the next decade of innovation. We’re tackling everything from commercial fusion’s path, 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 that AI’s growth depends on.
You can join in on all of that expertise and excitement by registering for Disrupt right here! As for the agenda at hand, let’s explore the Smart Systems Stage lineup so far:
Bringing Fusion to the Grid
Leaders from Commonwealth Fusion Systems and Helion break down the breakthroughs driving commercial fusion forward, the challenges still ahead, and what it will take to get fusion power onto the grid at scale.
With David Kirtley, CEO, Helion, and Brandon Sorbom, Chief Science Officer, Commonwealth Fusion Systems
When the Energy Gets Smart: What Vertical AI Actually Delivers at Scale
Generic AI tools are not built for energy. The organizations moving fastest are deploying AI purpose-built for the industry, trained on specific data and designed for real operational constraints.
With Brandy Bolden, Chief Customer Officer, SMUD and “Deepak Garg, Chairman, Founder and Group-CEO, SEW.AI
How Twilio’s Founder Is Tackling the Power Problem
Inertia CEO Jeff Lawson joins for a candid fireside chat on his path from founding Twilio to leading one of the best-funded fusion power startups in the world — and how scaling Twilio is shaping his approach to talent, timelines, and the hard engineering questions ahead.
With Jeff Lawson, CEO, Inertia
Rewiring the Grid for the Electric Age
Electricity demand is growing faster than the infrastructure built to support it. This panel explores what it takes to modernize the power system, where investment is flowing, and how utilities, startups, and technology providers are building a more resilient, flexible grid.
With Drew Baglino, Founder & CEO, Heron Power; Apoorv Bhargava, CEO and Co-founder, WeaveGrid; and more speakers to be announced
AI’s Power Problem
As compute demand skyrockets, data center operators and energy companies are racing to secure power and expand infrastructure before it becomes the bottleneck that slows AI’s next wave. Hear how leaders across both industries are tackling it.
With Sara Spangelo, President & Co-Founder, Ambrosia Energy; Bill Thayer, SVP, Head of Datacenter Solutions, Bloom Energy; and more speakers to be announced
Whether you’re building the next energy breakthrough, rethinking grid infrastructure, or just trying to understand what’s really constraining AI’s growth, the Smart Systems Stage is built for founders and operators who need the full picture — not just a headline and an LLM summary.
And there’s plenty more in store for you at Disrupt 2026 — after all, that’s just one stage’s worth of programming! For a sense of what else you’ll get to access, we’ve also announced the:
- Disrupt Stage, featuring top speakers from Replit, Amazon, Tether, and more.
- AI Stage, digging into the security gaps and business model shifts AI is forcing on every SaaS company.
- Smart Money Stage, covering stablecoins, instant payments, and AI’s role in financial trust.
- Real World AI Stage, featuring everything from Nvidia’s robots to resurrecting extinct animals.
- Builders Stage, where founders and investors get tactical about raising, hiring, and scaling.
Be part of Disrupt 2026 in San Francisco from October 13–15, where more than 10,000 startup, tech, and VC leaders come together for three days of insights, Startup Battlefield, unparalleled networking, and access to every stage and the exhibition floor.
