TechCrunch Disrupt 2026: AI and De-Extinction in Debate

Key Takeaways

1A session at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 will address the use of AI for de-extinction and conservation

2Ben Lamm (Colossal Biosciences) will speak on the Real World AI stage

3Discussions will focus on governance choices, technical challenges, and the role of AI in biodiversity

Why it matters : The event highlights the ethical and strategic questions related to the application of AI to living organisms, beyond mere technological feats.

At TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, a session will confront technical promises and societal choices surrounding AI applied to living organisms. Ben Lamm, CEO of Colossal Biosciences, will discuss de-extinction, conservation, and the role of algorithms in biodiversity, against a backdrop of controversy and high expectations.

Who Decides Where and How to Use AI for Living Organisms

The organizers announce a discussion focused on the dilemmas related to engineering life. The conversation is set to juxtapose two interpretations of de-extinction: a breakthrough for conservation or a distraction from existing ecosystems. It will also question how and where these tools are used, as well as the decision-making processes involved. The role of AI in the future of biodiversity and the very question of reviving extinct species are explicitly raised. The stated ambition is to move beyond the case of a single species to address the role of emerging technologies in complex problems. The renewed media attention on the resurrection of species serves as a backdrop for these debates.

What the Session Promises at Disrupt 2026

Titled "Can We Envision the Return of Nature?", the session is scheduled on the Real World AI stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, featuring Ben Lamm. It aims to dissect the technologies employed for de-extinction and the current role of AI in modern biology. The discussion is expected to explore what happens when AI moves beyond purely digital systems to intervene in the natural world. It particularly targets founders at the intersection of deep tech, life sciences, and AI, promising insights into challenges that few organizations have attempted to tackle.

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The Current State of AI in Biology

Artificial intelligence is already impacting software, robotics, and scientific research, while biology is seen as one of the next major frontiers. In laboratories, it is used to analyze genetic datasets, simulate biological systems, and accelerate discoveries. As this adoption expands, technical debates are also extending to medicine, conservation, biology, and climate sciences.

Colossal Biosciences: A Case Study in De-extinction

Colossal Biosciences applies synthetic biology and AI to work towards the return of extinct species. The company is valued at one billion dollars and is described as one of the most watched and debated entities in the scientific and technological landscape. Its leader addresses themes ranging from biodiversity to climate resilience, including the responsibilities inherent in engineering living systems.

Ben Lamm's Journey: From Enterprise AI to Biology

Co-founder and CEO of Colossal Biosciences, Ben Lamm boasts over twenty years of experience building companies at the intersection of AI and emerging technologies. His background encompasses enterprise AI, critical infrastructure, and conversational intelligence. Before Colossal, he founded Hypergiant, Conversable, and Chaotic Moon, which were acquired respectively by Trive Capital, LivePerson, and Accenture.