AI Infrastructure Demands New Energy Solutions – Smart Systems Stage Agenda at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026
TechCrunch Disrupt 2026's Smart Systems Stage will focus on energy and infrastructure challenges driven by AI growth, featuring sessions with fusion, grid, and data center experts.
AI's Growing Energy Demand
TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, taking place from October 13-15 at San Francisco's Moscone Center, will host the Smart Systems Stage, dedicated to the intersection of energy, infrastructure, and technology. The stage will explore how AI's insatiable appetite for power is straining grids and accelerating the need for breakthroughs in energy generation and delivery.
Fusion and Grid Modernization
One session, "Bringing Fusion to the Grid," will feature David Kirtley, CEO of Helion, and Brandon Sorbom, Chief Science Officer of Commonwealth Fusion Systems, discussing commercial fusion's progress and hurdles. In "How Twilio’s Founder Is Tackling the Power Problem," Jeff Lawson, CEO of Inertia and founder of Twilio, will share his journey from Twilio to leading a fusion startup.
Rewiring the Grid
The panel "Rewiring the Grid for the Electric Age" will address modernizing aging infrastructure to meet rising electricity demand, with Drew Baglino, founder of Heron Power, and Apoorv Bhargava, CEO of WeaveGrid. The session "AI’s Power Problem" will include Sara Spangelo, president of Ambrosia Energy, and Bill Thayer, SVP of Bloom Energy, discussing how data centers are securing power for AI's next wave.
Organizers note that current ticket discounts are ending soon, encouraging early registration. Disrupt 2026 offers access to all stages, networking, and side events.
