The complete agenda for Sessions: AI unveiled

It’s been a couple of years since our last topic-focused, one-day event — but with AI transforming the tech landscape, we couldn’t miss the chance to gather 1,200 founders, CEOs, entrepreneurs, investors, and anyone shaping the future of AI for a deep dive into what’s next.

On June 5 in Zellerbach Hall at UC Berkeley, TechCrunch Sessions: AI lands right at the intersection of startups and the rapidly evolving AI boom.

If you’re building in tech and want to get smart on where the industry stands — and where it’s headed — this is the room to be in.

Book your Early Bird Pass today to save up to $210 on your ticket — book your team, and save even more.

Get in on the deep-dive AI discussions

Onstage will be the minds shaping AI today — including Anthropic co-founder Jared Kaplan, Databricks co-founder Ion Stoica, top execs from ElevenLabs and DeepMind, and investors from Accel, CapitalG, Khosla Ventures, and NEA.

Offstage, connect with the founders, scientists, and engineers building what’s next in AI. And don’t miss hands-on breakout sessions with OpenAI, Cohere, and the Global Innovation Forum. 

This is just the beginning — more announcements coming soon on the event agenda page!

So, without further ado, here’s your look at the full agenda and the innovators driving the AI revolution.

Full main stage agenda for TC Sessions: AI

The Frontier of AI: A Fireside Chat with Anthropic Co-founder Jared Kaplan
Jared Kaplan (Anthropic)

In this fireside chat, Anthropic co-founder and chief science officer Jared Kaplan will share his vision for how AI will transform the way humans interact with computers, work, and one another. In what’s expected to be a wide-ranging conversation, he’ll discuss how leading labs are advancing AI models — and what’s on the horizon for the tech industry. Kaplan will also delve into Anthropic’s efforts to build superintelligent AI systems, offer his predictions on AGI, and share how he believes society should prepare for the future.

From Seed to Series C: What VCs Want to See from Founders
Jill Chase (CapitalG), Kanu Gulati (Khosla Ventures), and Sara Ittelson (Accel)

AI has dominated venture funding, with investments soaring 62% to $110 billion in 2024 — even as overall startup funding declined. But slapping “AI” onto a pitch deck isn’t enough. As the hype around foundation models fades, investors are focusing on real-world applications, AI agents, and sustainable business models. In this talk, top VCs will share what it truly takes to secure funding at every stage — from seed to Series C — and what they’re looking for in AI startups now.

A Focus on AI Ethics and Safety with Ion Stoica and Artemis Seaford
Artemis Seaford (ElevenLabs) and Ion Stoica (UC Berkeley) 

Artemis Seaford, head of AI safety at ElevenLabs, joins Databricks co-founder and executive chairman Ion Stoica for a panel spotlighting the ethical and safety issues surrounding AI today. The two will discuss deepfakes — an increasingly hot topic as AI tools become cheaper and easier to use — as well as potential mitigations to help developers and companies deploy AI more responsibly.

So You Think You Can Pitch?

Witness three promising early-stage startups pitch to impress a panel of VC judges, who will provide valuable feedback. This is your chance to hear diverse pitch angles and gain insights from VC leaders on what they look for in viable startups.

How Founders Can Build on Existing Foundational Models
Logan Kilpatrick (Google DeepMind) and Jae Lee (TwelveLabs)

AI models are evolving at lightning speed — it feels like there’s a new, more powerful one every week. In this session, we’ll talk with leading AI companies about how startups can leverage foundation models to build innovative solutions. With the fast pace of change, we’ll dive into how to stay ahead of the curve and grow alongside the AI industry.

How to Launch a Product Against Entrenched Incumbents
Oliver Cameron (Odyssey) and Ann Bordetsky (NEA)

Breaking through in the AI sector can be tough, especially with well-funded incumbents leading the charge. But that doesn’t mean new companies can’t succeed. In this session, founders from breakout AI startups will share how they’ve managed to thrive and outmaneuver the industry’s toughest competition.

Breakout sessions lineup

These interactive Q&A sessions are still being added to the TC Sessions: AI agenda. Below are a few highlights of what you can expect. Be sure to check the event agenda page for the latest updates.

Building Your AI Engine: How OpenAI Works with Startups
Hao Sang (OpenAI)

In the fast-evolving AI landscape, startups can gain a competitive edge by collaborating closely with model providers. Join Hao Sang from OpenAI’s Startups Team for a session that demystifies OpenAI’s resources for startups, from technical guidance to advanced model access. Learn how feedback from startups shapes OpenAI’s roadmap, ensuring that their products evolve to meet your needs.

Behind Your Firewall: Secure Generative AI for Regulated Enterprises
Yann Stoneman (Cohere)

Have you ever wondered how to use advanced generative AI in healthcare or finance without worrying about data privacy? Join this interactive breakout session, where Yann Stoneman, staff solutions architect at Cohere, and three expert panelists will lead a 50-minute discussion. You’ll learn how to deploy secure, customized AI models on your own infrastructure — no external cloud needed — through real-world use cases from Cohere’s North (an agentic AI workspace) and Compass (multimodal retrieval) platforms. Walk away with practical tips for navigating compliance challenges, unlocking internal data safely, and delivering tangible value through private AI systems. Expect a dynamic session filled with demos, Q&A, and audience interaction that will empower you to build AI solutions behind your own firewall.

The AI Policy Playbook: What Global Startups Need to Know
Hua Wang (Global Innovation Forum)

AI is revolutionizing how startups operate, but navigating policy, regulation, and global expansion still presents challenges. This breakout session will explore how startups can leverage AI-driven tools for digital trade, compliance, and scaling across borders. Attendees will gain insights into the key policies shaping AI startups, strategies for navigating data regulations, and how to use AI to drive international growth. Whether you’re a founder, investor, or policymaker, this session will provide actionable takeaways to turn AI into a competitive advantage in a rapidly changing global landscape.

Join the deep-dive AI conversations and save

This is just the start — we’ll be adding even more exciting deep-dive sessions into the AI ecosystem to the TC Sessions: AI agenda. Don’t miss your chance to dive into these discussions and get your questions answered by some of the biggest names in AI. Plus, save $210 with Early Bird rates! Register now before ticket prices increase.