Powering the Next Decade of Innovation
The world of artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly advancing, but it’s not just code that drives its growth. The increasing demand for power is becoming a critical bottleneck, and it’s essential to understand the infrastructure required to support it. 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.
A Gathering of Leaders
From October 13-15 in San Francisco’s Moscone Center, join leaders from Commonwealth Fusion Systems, Helion, Inertia, Bloom Energy, and more as they delve into what it takes to power the next decade of innovation. This includes the commercial fusion path, the grid, and how data center operators are scrambling to secure the electricity that AI’s growth depends on.
Breaking Down the Breakthroughs
Leaders from Commonwealth Fusion Systems and Helion will 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 of Helion, and Brandon Sorbom, Chief Science Officer of Commonwealth Fusion Systems, this panel will provide a comprehensive understanding of the fusion power landscape.
Scaling Fusion Power
Inertia CEO Jeff Lawson will join for a candid fireside chat on his path from founding Twilio to leading one of the best-funded fusion power startups in the world. He will discuss how scaling Twilio is shaping his approach to talent, timelines, and the hard engineering questions ahead.
Rewiring the Grid for the Electric Age
As electricity demand grows faster than the infrastructure built to support it, this panel will explore what it takes to modernize the power system. Join Drew Baglino, Founder & CEO of Heron Power, Apoorv Bhargava, CEO and Co-founder of WeaveGrid, and more speakers to be announced as they discuss where investment is flowing and how utilities, startups, and technology providers are building a more resilient, flexible grid.
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 this critical issue.
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.
A Comprehensive Look at the Smart Systems Stage
The Smart Systems Stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 will provide a comprehensive look at the energy, infrastructure, and technology required to support the growth of AI. With a lineup of expert speakers and panels, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities in this space.
