Hear how AI can engineer nature’s comeback at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026

A high-profile conversation about de-extinction and the role of artificial intelligence in biology will take place at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026. The Real World AI Stage will host a fireside chat titled "Can We Engineer Nature’s Comeback?" that centers on how advances in AI, genetics, and computational biology are changing what is technically achievable in conservation research. Leading the discussion is Ben Lamm, co-founder and CEO of Colossal Biosciences, a company pursuing revived species through synthetic biology and AI-driven methods. Organizers say the session will go beyond technical details to examine whether engineering extinct species represents a conservation breakthrough or a distraction from protecting existing ecosystems. The talk aims to explore where AI moves from purely digital applications into the natural world, including how researchers use machine learning to analyze genetic data, model biological systems, and speed discovery. For founders and teams at the intersection of deep tech, life sciences, and AI, the session offers a look at one company’s approach to complex biological problems and the ethical, regulatory, and practical debates that follow. TechCrunch Disrupt returns to Moscone West October 13 6 with more than 250 sessions and an expected audience of over 10,000 founders, investors, and operators. Attendees can hear this and other conversations about AI, biology, conservation, and climate science; organizers are offering registration with up to $200 in savings for those who lock in passes early.