At TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, a session titled "Building AI Systems When Failure Is Not an Option" will explore the challenges of preparing autonomous AI systems for use in real-world scenarios. The session will bring together experts from the fields of robotics, autonomous vehicles, and AI development. Key speakers include Nathan Michael, Chief Technology Officer at Shield AI; Raquel Urtasun, founder and CEO of Waabi; and Mikell Taylor, Director of Robotics Strategy at General Motors. They will discuss topics like creating a safety-first culture, testing AI systems thoroughly, navigating regulations, and building public trust in high-stakes applications of AI. Nathan Michael leads the development of Hivemind, a mission autonomy software developed by Shield AI that can be used across different platforms. Hivemind was chosen to support the U.S. Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft drone program and has received significant investment, with Shield AI recently securing $1.5 billion in Series G funding. Michael’s background includes research at Carnegie Mellon University’s Robotics Institute, where he directed a lab focused on making intelligent systems more resilient. Raquel Urtasun has spent 25 years in AI and autonomous vehicle research, with previous roles at Uber ATG and as a professor at the University of Toronto. She co-founded Waabi, which recently raised $1 billion and partnered with Uber to deploy thousands of robotaxis powered by its autonomous driving software. Urtasun emphasizes the importance of rigorous testing, using a virtual environment called Waabi World to simulate real-world conditions. She has noted that while progress is being made, autonomous trucks still require more validation before they can operate without human drivers. Mikell Taylor has spent over two decades designing robots for practical applications, including work at Amazon Robotics and General Motors. She currently leads robotics strategy at GM’s Autonomous Robotics Center and has focused on creating systems that are reliable and safe for use around people. Taylor highlights the need to consider user experience and adoption early in the design process, ensuring that robots are not only functional but also accepted by the public. The session will be held from October 13 to 15 at Moscone West in San Francisco, with more than 10,000 attendees expected. Registration for the Disrupt event closes on September 25 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time, with early registration offering discounts of up to $200. The event will provide insights from leaders working to address the challenges of deploying autonomous systems in the real world.