AI infrastructure – Ambrosia Energy and Bloom Energy leaders join TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 to discuss how the push for AI is shifting from software code to the realities of power, grid, and physical infrastructure.
The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence is hitting a wall, and it is not made of code. As the digital race accelerates, the industry is increasingly forced to confront a reality that has little to do with algorithms and everything to do with copper, cooling, and kilowatts.
At the upcoming TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, the conversation will shift from the virtual to the tangible. Ben Longmier. CEO of Ambrosia Energy. and Bill Thayer. SVP and Head of Datacenter Solutions at Bloom Energy. are scheduled to appear together on the Smart Systems Stage. Their session. titled “Where the AI Infrastructure Boom Is Creating Winners. ” focuses on the widening gap between the insatiable demand for compute and the physical limits of our power grid.
The industry is currently trapped in a cycle where AI models. chips. and applications outpace the physical stack designed to support them. From power generation and electrical equipment to data center cooling. the infrastructure required to keep AI operational is no longer just a backdrop—it is a primary constraint. This creates a volatile market. forcing investors and founders to distinguish between temporary shortages and long-term structural shifts that could dictate industry success for years.
The timing of the shift is clear: the next major tech opportunity may not be an AI application at all. Instead, it is likely to emerge from the companies building the foundational layers—energy, grid technology, and infrastructure software. For founders and investors. the challenge lies in identifying which of these pressures are creating durable business categories rather than fleeting demand. The session will dissect these questions. exploring how the influx of capital into AI is being mirrored by the desperate need for physical systems that can actually sustain the growth.
Those looking to attend the discussion at Moscone West can secure their spots ahead of the October 13 opening at 8 a.m. PT. Registering before that date allows attendees to save up to $100. Additionally, a promotion is currently active offering 50% off a second pass for those bringing a co-founder or colleague. The event features over 250 speakers and more than 200 sessions, all aimed at navigating the future of the digital economy.
AI infrastructure Bloom Energy Ambrosia Energy TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 data centers power grid tech news