At TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, AI founders are grappling with a complex decision: open or closed? The event explores how companies are choosing between multi-model applications, customised models, and the intricacies of owning parts of the AI stack. Flexibility and control are key, impacting everything from costs to product differentiation.

Experts like Manos Koukoumidis and Nader Khalil will discuss the trade-offs between proprietary and open models, while Anna Goldie and Azalia Mirhoseini delve into the AI-driven design of hardware. The discussions highlight the evolving relationship between model architecture and hardware, and the importance of adaptability in an ever-changing tech landscape.

The sessions at Disrupt 2026 offer a glimpse into the future of AI, where the choice between open and closed models is no longer a simple binary but a nuanced decision with wide-ranging implications. For founders, the choice is about more than just technology—it's about the business and the future.