AI doesn’t just run on code: it requires enormous amounts of energy, and that demand is increasingly becoming a critical bottleneck. At TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, the intelligent systems stage will be where energy, infrastructure and technology collide, covering everything from advances in fusion to the grid strain that AI is putting on the entire economy.

From October 13-15 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, join leaders from Commonwealth Fusion Systems, Helion, Inertia, Bloom Energy and more as they delve into what’s really needed to drive the next decade of innovation. We’re tackling everything from the business merger path to the grid and why utilities and startups are rushing to modernize aging infrastructure, to how data center operators are struggling to secure the electricity the growth of AI depends on.

We’re also nearing the end of our current pricing window, so here’s your chance to save on all of our tickets for founders, investors, and more – get your ticket here before our current discounts run out! As for the agenda at hand, let’s explore the Smart Systems Stage lineup so far:

Taking fusion online

Leaders from Commonwealth Fusion Systems and Helion discuss the advances driving commercial fusion, the challenges that still lie ahead, and what it will take to bring fusion energy to the grid at scale.

With David Kirtley, CEO of Helion, and Brandon Sorbom, Chief Scientific Officer of Commonwealth Fusion Systems

How Twilio’s founder is tackling the energy problem

Inertia CEO Jeff Lawson joins us for a candid fireside chat about his path from founding Twilio to leading one of the world’s best-funded fusion energy startups, and how Twilio’s expansion is shaping his approach to talent, timelines, and the tough engineering questions ahead.

With Jeff Lawson, CEO of Inercia

Grid rewiring for the electric age

Demand for electricity is growing faster than the infrastructure built to support it. This panel explores what is needed to modernize the electric system, where investment is flowing, and how utilities, startups, and technology providers are building a more resilient and flexible grid.

With Drew Baglino, Founder and CEO of Heron Power; Apoorv Bhargava, CEO and co-founder of WeaveGrid; and more speakers to be announced

The AI ​​power problem

As computing demand soars, data center operators and energy companies are racing to secure power and expand infrastructure before it becomes the bottleneck holding back the next wave of AI. Hear how leaders in both industries are tackling it.

With Sara Spangelo, president and co-founder of Ambrosia Energy; Bill Thayer, senior vice president, head of data center solutions, Bloom Energy; and more speakers to be announced

Whether you’re building the next energy breakthrough, rethinking grid infrastructure, or simply trying to understand what’s really limiting AI growth, Smart Systems Stage is designed for founders and operators who need the full picture, not just a headline and LLM summary.

Plus, joining us at Disrupt 2026 means you can get access to all the other stages, all the networks, all the side events, and the rest of our full speaker lineup. It’s a three-day deep dive into the heart of the startup community that you’ll never forget, so sign up today!