Colossal CEO Ben Lamm to Debate AI De-Extinction at Disrupt 2026
Colossal Biosciences CEO Ben Lamm will examine AI-driven de-extinction, conservation risks and synthetic biology at Disrupt 2026 in San Francisco this October.
Summary
Disrupt 2026 will feature Colossal Biosciences co-founder and CEO Ben Lamm in “Can We Engineer Nature’s Comeback?”, a Real World AI Stage fireside chat about AI, synthetic biology and de-extinction. The billion-dollar startup is exploring whether reviving extinct species can support conservation, while researchers use AI to analyze genetic data, model biological systems and accelerate discovery. The discussion will examine whether engineering nature advances biodiversity and climate resilience or distracts from protecting surviving ecosystems.
Lamm has spent more than two decades building AI and emerging-technology companies spanning enterprise AI, critical infrastructure and conversational intelligence. His previous ventures Hypergiant, Conversable and Chaotic Moon were acquired by Trive Capital, LivePerson and Accenture, respectively. Disrupt runs October 13 to 15 at Moscone West in San Francisco, bringing more than 10,000 founders, investors and operators to over 250 sessions. Passes offer savings of up to $200, while exhibit-table bookings close September 18.
Positives
- AI is helping researchers analyze genetic data, model biological systems and accelerate scientific discovery.
- Colossal Biosciences combines AI and synthetic biology to investigate de-extinction as a conservation tool.
- More than 10,000 founders, investors and operators can explore emerging technologies across over 250 Disrupt sessions.
- Hypergiant, Conversable and Chaotic Moon gave Ben Lamm more than two decades of experience building emerging-technology companies.
- Pass buyers can save up to $200 before Disrupt 2026 begins October 13.
Risks & concerns
- De-extinction could divert resources and attention from protecting ecosystems and species that remain alive.
- Engineering living systems raises unresolved questions about responsibility, acceptable uses and who controls decisions.
- No revived species or supporting technical results are identified, leaving details about Colossal’s progress limited.
- AI’s expansion from digital systems into biology could produce consequences extending beyond laboratories and technology markets.