GoKawiilShield AI, Waabi and GM executives to discuss high-stakes AI safety at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026
TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 will host a panel titled 'Building AI Systems When Failure Is Not an Option,' featuring Shield AI CTO Nathan Michael, Waabi founder and CEO Raquel Urtasun, and General Motors Director of Robotics Strategy Mikell Taylor. The session will cover safety culture, testing and validation, regulatory challenges, and trust-building for AI deployed in physical, high-stakes settings like aircraft, vehicles and robots. Attendees can save up to $200 on passes if purchased before September 25 at 11:59 p.m. PT.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The panel brings together leaders from defense, autonomous trucking, and automotive robotics, suggesting a shared industry concern about reliability as AI moves from digital chatbots into systems where errors can cause physical harm. Shield AI's recent selection for a U.S. Air Force drone autonomy program and its $1.5 billion funding round indicate growing investment and government interest in mission-critical AI, which could raise the stakes for how safety standards are defined across sectors.
- TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 will feature a panel on safety in physical-world AI systems.
- Speakers include executives from Shield AI, Waabi, and General Motors.
- Shield AI's Hivemind autonomy platform was recently chosen for a U.S. Air Force drone program after a $1.5 billion funding round.
Source: techcrunch.com — Techcrunch Events, 2026-09-24
Published there as: “Shield AI, Waabi, and General Motors on building AI when failure is not an option at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026”
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