Topics

More from TechCrunch

AI hires or human hustle? Inside the next frontier of startup operations at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025

Meet the speakers

Why this session matters

Ready to find your edge?

Tech and VC heavyweights join the Disrupt 2025 agenda

Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital, Elad Gil — just a few of the heavy hitters joining the Disrupt 2025 agenda. They’re here to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don’t miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech — grab your ticket now and save up to $600+ before prices rise.

Tech and VC heavyweights join the Disrupt 2025 agenda

Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital — just a few of the heavy hitters joining the Disrupt 2025 agenda. They’re here to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don’t miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech — grab your ticket now and save up to $675 before prices rise.

Most Popular

Google Translate takes on Duolingo with new language learning tools

Google Gemini’s AI

Robomart unveils new delivery robot with $3 flat fee to challenge DoorDash, Uber Eats

Coinbase CEO explains why he fired engineers who didn’t try AI immediately

OpenAI lawyers question Meta’s role in Elon Musk’s $97B takeover bid 

YouTube Music celebrates 10 years with new features that help it compete with Spotify

Harvard dropouts to launch ‘always on’ AI smart glasses that listen and record every conversation

Latest

AI

Amazon

Apps

Biotech & Health

Climate

Cloud Computing

Commerce

Crypto

Enterprise

EVs

Fintech

Fundraising

Gadgets

Gaming

Google

Government & Policy

Hardware

Instagram

Layoffs

Media & Entertainment

Meta

Microsoft

Privacy

Robotics

Security

Social

Space

Startups

TikTok

Transportation

Venture

Events

Startup Battlefield

StrictlyVC

Newsletters

Podcasts

Videos

Partner Content

TechCrunch Brand Studio

Crunchboard

Contact Us

AI hires or human hustle? Inside the next frontier of startup operations at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 TechCrunch Events AM PDT · August 28, 2025 What happens when your first 10 hires aren’t people at all? At TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, happening October 27–29 at San Francisco’s Moscone West, we’re digging into the new wave of startups replacing or augmenting early employees with AI agents. Think outbound sales, billing, and customer support — automated from day one.

This panel, hosted on the Builders Stage, features a mix of technical founders and seasoned operators who are actually doing it, debating where the line between human and machine should be drawn — and how far is too far.

Caleb Peffer, founder and CEO of Firecrawl, is helping over 350,000 developers (and companies like Shopify and Zapier) plug AI directly into the live web. His dev-first platform is already reshaping how AI agents interact with the internet and scale with clean data.

Jaspar Carmichael-Jack, founder and CEO of Artisan, made waves with his “Stop Hiring Humans” campaign — and he’s serious. His company raised $35 million to build AI employees, starting with sales. Expect bold insights on replacing go-to-market teams with code.

Sarah Franklin, CEO of Lattice and former Salesforce president and CMO, brings hard-won wisdom on scaling companies with impact. She’s built and led real teams at the highest level and knows exactly where AI helps — and where it hurts.

Whether you’re already embedding AI into your stack or just testing prompts on your product team, this conversation is about more than hype. It’s about getting real on ROI, trust, team dynamics, and what it means to build a business that moves faster than ever with fewer human hands.

This session is just one of hundreds featured across five industry stages, plus breakouts and roundtables. Grab your pass to Disrupt 2025 before prices jump in mid-September. Get your ticket now.

Techcrunch event Tech and VC heavyweights join the Disrupt 2025 agenda Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital, Elad Gil — just a few of the heavy hitters joining the Disrupt 2025 agenda. They’re here to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don’t miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech — grab your ticket now and save up to $600+ before prices rise. Tech and VC heavyweights join the Disrupt 2025 agenda Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital — just a few of the heavy hitters joining the Disrupt 2025 agenda. They’re here to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don’t miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech — grab your ticket now and save up to $675 before prices rise. San Francisco | October 27-29, 2025 REGISTER NOW Topics

TechCrunch Events View Bio October 27-29, 2025 San Francisco Put your brand in front of 10,000+ tech and VC leaders across all three days of Disrupt 2025. Amplify your reach, spark real connections, and lead the innovation charge. Secure your exhibit space before your competitor does.

Most Popular Google Translate takes on Duolingo with new language learning tools Aisha Malik

Google Gemini’s AI Maxwell Zeff

Robomart unveils new delivery robot with $3 flat fee to challenge DoorDash, Uber Eats Rebecca Szkutak

Coinbase CEO explains why he fired engineers who didn’t try AI immediately Julie Bort

OpenAI lawyers question Meta’s role in Elon Musk’s $97B takeover bid  Maxwell Zeff

YouTube Music celebrates 10 years with new features that help it compete with Spotify Sarah Perez

Harvard dropouts to launch ‘always on’ AI smart glasses that listen and record every conversation Lorenzo Franceschi-Bicchierai Rebecca Bellan

X LinkedIn Facebook Instagram youTube Mastodon Threads Bluesky TechCrunchStaffContact UsAdvertiseCrunchboard JobsSite Map Terms of ServicePrivacy PolicyRSS Terms of UseCode of Conduct IntelDOGELibbySpotifyApple EventTech LayoffsChatGPT © 2025 TechCrunch Media LLC.