Shield AI, Waabi, and GM Leaders to Discuss High-Stakes Autonomous Systems at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026

TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 will host a session 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 panel will explore the complexities of transitioning autonomous AI into the physical world, where errors can cause vehicle crashes, mission failures, or ground aircraft. Nathan Michael brings extensive expertise from Carnegie Mellon University's Robotics Institute and leads Shield AI's Hivemind platform. The company recently achieved significant milestones, including Hivemind's selection in February for the U.S. Air Force Collaborative Combat Aircraft prototype program and securing $1.5 billion in Series G funding a month later, bringing Shield AI's post-money valuation to $12.7 billion.