Open or closed AI? Nvidia’s Nader Khalil and Sydney Sykes take on one of the decisions shaping next-gen startups at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026

Nvidia executives Nader Khalil and Sydney Sykes are scheduled to appear on the Builders Stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 to debate one of the most consequential choices facing new AI companies: whether to build on open or closed AI foundations.

The open-versus-closed question has grown increasingly urgent as startups navigate a landscape dominated by proprietary frontier models from major labs and open-weight alternatives that offer greater transparency and customization. The decision affects everything from cost structure and security posture to vendor lock-in and regulatory exposure.

Nvidia's involvement in the discussion is notable given the company's position as the dominant supplier of AI training and inference hardware. The firm sits at the intersection of both camps, providing the compute infrastructure that powers closed commercial models and open-source research alike.

For next-generation startups, the choice between open and closed AI can shape product roadmaps, funding pitches, and competitive moats. The session is likely to explore how founders should weigh trade-offs around performance, control, and scalability when selecting their underlying AI stack.

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