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

Not long ago, bringing an extinct species back to life belonged to science fiction. Today, it’s the mission of a billion-dollar startup. Advances in artificial intelligence, genetics, and computational biology are changing what’s possible in conservation research, raising questions that extend far beyond the laboratory. If technology can help revive extinct species, should it? And what role should AI play in shaping the future of biodiversity? 

Those are the questions at the center of “Can We Engineer Nature’s Comeback?“, a Real World AI Stage fireside chat at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026.

Joining the conversation is Ben Lamm, Co-Founder and CEO of Colossal Biosciences, a company pioneering efforts to bring extinct species back through advances in synthetic biology and AI. Rather than focusing solely on the science, the discussion explores the technologies behind de-extinction, the role AI now plays in modern biology, and the growing debate over whether engineering nature represents a conservation breakthrough — or a distraction from protecting the ecosystems we already have.

Disrupt returns to Moscone West in San Francisco, October 13–15, bringing together 10,000+ founders, investors, and operators for 250+ sessions exploring the technologies and market forces shaping what’s next. Hear one of this year’s most provocative conversations. Secure your pass to Disrupt.