Key facts
- TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 will feature a session focused on scaling AI from prototype to production.
- The session, "From Prototype to Production: Can It Scale in Reality?", will be held on the Real World AI Stage.
- Speakers include John Mackey (MBRYONICS), Boris Sofman (Bedrock Robotics), and Adrian Macneil (Foxglove).
- The event aims to provide insights into manufacturing, infrastructure, and operational challenges when moving technology from lab to market.
- Disrupt 2026 is scheduled for October 13-15 at Moscone West in San Francisco.
TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 will host a session titled "From Prototype to Production: Can It Scale in Reality?" on its Real World AI Stage. The event, taking place October 13-15 in San Francisco, will bring together leaders from various technology sectors to discuss the challenges and strategies involved in moving innovative prototypes into reliable, production-ready products.
AI has significantly lowered the barrier to creating prototypes, but transitioning them to production presents distinct hurdles. The session will feature insights from John Mackey, CEO of MBRYONICS, who has experience in scaling manufacturing for space-based optical communications; Boris Sofman, co-founder of Bedrock Robotics and former leader at Waymo, who will discuss deploying autonomous systems in real-world environments; and Adrian Macneil, co-founder of Foxglove and former infrastructure engineering lead at Cruise, who will focus on the underlying systems and infrastructure required for scaling complex technologies.
These founders will share their experiences navigating manufacturing capabilities, ensuring consistency and reliability outside controlled environments, and building the necessary engineering systems. The discussion aims to offer practical lessons for startups on what changes when technology moves from experimentation to everyday use, emphasizing that a successful prototype is merely the initial step in a product's lifecycle.