Bringing extinct species back from the dead used to be pure fantasy. Now, it is the core business model of a billion-dollar startup. At TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 in San Francisco, the line between science fiction and synthetic biology blurs during a fireside chat titled “Can We Engineer Nature’s Comeback?” Ben Lamm, co-founder and CEO of Colossal Biosciences, takes the stage to discuss how artificial intelligence is accelerating efforts to revive lost species. This isn’t just about woolly mammoths; it is about testing the limits of what computational biology can achieve when paired with aggressive entrepreneurial ambition.
Lamm brings a distinct track record to this biological frontier. Before launching Colossal, he built and exited multiple tech ventures, including Hypergiant and Chaotic Moon. His shift from enterprise AI to de-extinction signals a broader trend where deep tech founders are applying software-speed iteration to hard biological problems. Colossal uses AI to analyze vast genetic datasets and model complex biological systems, aiming to speed up discoveries that traditionally take decades. The company argues that these tools are essential for modern conservation, though critics worry the focus on flashy resurrections distracts from protecting existing ecosystems.
The conversation at Moscone West extends beyond the lab bench. With over 10,000 founders and investors attending the October 13–15 event, the session highlights a growing tension in the tech industry. As AI moves from digital screens into living cells, the ethical stakes rise sharply. Who decides which species deserve a second chance? Is engineering nature a valid conservation strategy or a dangerous hubris? Lamm’s presence underscores how central these questions have become to the definition of technological progress.
This development marks a pivot point for AI applications. We are moving past language models and image generators into the realm of editing life itself. While the promise of restoring biodiversity is compelling, the technical hurdles remain massive. Success here would redefine conservation, but failure could waste resources better spent on habitat preservation. The industry watches closely to see if Colossal’s blend of capital, code, and CRISPR can deliver results or just headlines.
