TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 is gearing up to spotlight AI’s frontrunners on its dedicated AI Stage from October 27-29 in San Francisco. The lineup features founders and CEOs from big names like Apptronik, ElevenLabs, Hugging Face, Runway, Wonder Dynamics, Writer, and Wayve.
Top VCs will talk “Betting on the Next Wave,” diving into what makes AI startups fundable in a fiercely competitive market. Speakers haven’t been announced yet.
Wonder Dynamics CEO Nikola Todorovic will join a panel on creative AI, exploring how the tech reshapes storytelling and art. 
Writer CEO May Habib will discuss AI’s evolving role in brand messaging and content creation.
Pinecone founder Edo Liberty argues the next AI frontier lies in infrastructure over algorithms, discussing smarter data search.
Physical AI gets a spotlight with Apptronik’s Jeff Cardenas and Waabi’s Raquel Urtasun. They’ll break down what it takes to build intelligent, mobile machines, from cars to robots.
Mach Industries CEO Ethan Thornton will share insights on applying AI in high-stakes defense environments.
Wayve’s Alex Kendall will explore real-world autonomy and self-driving technology impacts.
Runway co-founder Alejandro Matamala Ortiz focuses on Machine Learning tools transforming visual storytelling and creative workflows.
Hugging Face co-founder Thomas Wolf speaks on building AI responsibly, handling ethics, models, datasets, and building open AI ecosystems.
ElevenLabs CEO Mati Staniszewski shares how synthetic voice tech is reshaping entertainment and accessibility.
Match Group’s Mark Kantor and Replika CEO Eugenia Kuyda will discuss AI’s role in modern dating and relationships, with more speakers to be confirmed.
DARPA’s Kathleen Fisher, Point72’s Sri Chandrasekar, and Navy CTO Justin Fanelli team up to talk AI’s impact on national security and innovation.
Tickets are available now with up to $675 off before July’s price bump.
Nikola Todorovic, co-founder and CEO, Wonder Dynamics, speaking at SXSW 2023
Image Credits: Apptronik/Mercedes
Mati Staniszewski, co-founder and CEO, ElevenLabs, speaking at SXSW London 2025
Image Credits: Kimberly White for TechCrunch / Getty Images
