De-extinction and AI: Colossal's Ben Lamm on engineering nature at Disrupt 2026

Resurrecting vanished species once seemed confined to fiction. Yet today, a startup valued at a billion dollars has made this vision its core mission. Breakthroughs in AI, genetics, and computational biology are expanding the boundaries of what conservation science can achieve, forcing society to confront profound ethical questions that go well beyond research institutions. Can technology genuinely help restore lost species? What should be AI's contribution to the trajectory of Earth's biological diversity?

These central questions will anchor "Can We Engineer Nature's Comeback?", a Real World AI Stage fireside chat scheduled for TechCrunch Disrupt 2026.

Participating in the discussion will be Ben Lamm, Co-Founder and CEO of Colossal Biosciences, whose organization is pioneering de-extinction through synthetic biology and AI innovations. Rather than limiting the conversation to pure science, the session will examine the technical foundations of de-extinction, how AI is transforming contemporary biology, and the ongoing controversy about whether engineering nature constitutes a major conservation win or diverts resources from safeguarding existing ecosystems.

Disrupt will take place at Moscone West in San Francisco from October 13–15, assembling over 10,000 founders, investors, and business leaders across 250+ sessions focused on emerging technologies and economic trends. Attendees can engage with one of the year's most thought-provoking discussions by obtaining a Disrupt pass.

Where AI meets biology

Artificial intelligence has already transformed software development, robotics, and scientific inquiry. Biology represents a frontier yet to be fully explored. Scientists are leveraging AI to interpret genetic sequences, simulate biological processes, and speed up scientific breakthroughs. Organizations such as Colossal are taking these capabilities further, merging AI with synthetic biology to tackle challenges that seemed impossible just years ago.

The session will examine where these technological domains converge and the implications when AI extends beyond digital environments into living systems. For entrepreneurs operating in deep tech, life sciences, and AI, the conversation offers valuable insights into how one of the sector's most ambitious ventures tackles unprecedented problems.

A founder building at the edge of what's possible

Over more than twenty years, Lamm has founded companies operating where AI and cutting-edge technologies intersect. As a repeat founder, he has created enterprises addressing difficult problems spanning enterprise AI, vital infrastructure, and conversational intelligence. Prior to establishing Colossal Biosciences, Lamm founded multiple pioneering firms including Hypergiant, Conversable, and Chaotic Moon, which were subsequently purchased by Trive Capital, LivePerson, and Accenture respectively.

Currently, Lamm is channeling his entrepreneurial approach toward a novel objective: leveraging AI and synthetic biology to examine de-extinction as a conservation mechanism. This endeavor has positioned Colossal as one of the most closely observed—and hotly contested—organizations in science and technology sectors. In his role as CEO, Lamm drives discussions concerning biodiversity, climate adaptation, innovative technologies, and the ethical obligations tied to designing biological organisms.

His background provides founders with an exceptional perspective into what transpires when transformative technology transcends industry disruption and challenges fundamental assumptions about possibility.

A conversation bigger than de-extinction, only at Disrupt 2026

Bringing back vanished species generates media attention. The underlying implications may carry greater weight. With AI becoming embedded in scientific advancement, discussions surrounding technology increasingly move beyond software into healthcare, life sciences, environmental protection, and climate research. These innovations unlock fresh opportunities while simultaneously introducing complex questions regarding appropriate application and geographic scope.

Whether one sees de-extinction as a scientific achievement, an environmental strategy, or a contentious undertaking, the debate transcends any single organism. It addresses what responsibilities emerging technologies should shoulder in tackling humanity's most pressing challenges and who possesses the authority to determine their use.

Secure a Disrupt pass with discounts reaching $200 and participate in discussions exploring the convergence of AI, biology, and technological innovation.