San Francisco, CA – TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 is set to feature a dedicated panel discussing the increasing integration of artificial intelligence (AI) agents into the early-stage workforce of startups. The event, scheduled from October 27-29 at Moscone West, will explore how AI is being utilized to replace or augment initial human hires in operational roles.
The "Builders Stage" panel will focus on the deployment of AI in functions such as outbound sales, billing, and customer support, examining the operational shift toward automation from a company's inception. Speakers and panelists are expected to address the practical implementation of AI, the evolving dynamic between human and machine labor, and the implications for business growth.
Scheduled speakers for the session include Caleb Peffer, founder and CEO of Firecrawl, whose platform facilitates AI agent interaction with web data. Jaspar Carmichael-Jack, founder and CEO of Artisan, will contribute insights from his company's efforts in developing AI employees, particularly for sales functions, following a reported $35 million funding round. Sarah Franklin, CEO of Lattice and a former president and CMO at Salesforce, is also slated to participate, offering perspectives on scaling organizations and identifying areas where AI provides strategic advantages or introduces challenges.
The discussion is anticipated to delve into critical aspects such as return on investment (ROI) for AI implementations, the establishment of trust in AI-driven operations, and the effects on team dynamics within organizations adopting these technologies. The broader TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 conference is expected to convene over 10,000 founders, venture capitalists, and innovators, with more than 250 speakers leading over 200 sessions across the three-day agenda. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the TechCrunch event series.
