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

AI and De-Extinction at Disrupt 2026

TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 will feature a fireside chat titled “Can We Engineer Nature’s Comeback?” with Ben Lamm, Co-Founder and CEO of Colossal Biosciences. The session will address the growing use of artificial intelligence and synthetic biology in efforts to revive extinct species. This moves the concept of de-extinction from science fiction to a tangible, billion-dollar enterprise, raising immediate questions about the intersection of technology, conservation, and the future of biodiversity.

The Technology Behind the Comeback

The discussion is set to explore the specific technologies that underpin modern de-extinction efforts, showcasing how AI is becoming a foundational tool in computational biology. For founders and operators in deep tech and life sciences, the session offers insight into how one of the industry's most ambitious companies is tackling unprecedented problems.

• Use of AI to analyze massive genetic datasets and model complex biological systems.
• Application of synthetic biology to edit and engineer genetic code based on AI-driven insights.
• The entrepreneurial approach to solving complex scientific challenges, led by Lamm's experience building and selling companies like Hypergiant and Conversable.

By moving beyond digital systems and into the natural world, these technologies are creating a new frontier for both scientific research and commercial ventures.

Broader Implications for Science and Technology

While the revival of an extinct species is a compelling goal, the broader impact of this work extends across the AI ecosystem. The conversation signifies the expansion of AI beyond software and into foundational sciences like biology, medicine, and climate research. This trend forces the industry to confront difficult questions about how these powerful tools should be used, where they should be applied, and who is responsible for the outcomes. The debate is not just about a single species, but about the role emerging technologies will play in solving the world’s most complex problems.

The application of AI to synthetic biology, as showcased by Colossal Biosciences, is moving beyond theoretical research and into ambitious, commercially-backed ventures that challenge traditional conservation ethics and create new markets at the intersection of deep tech and life sciences.