Google Search VP to share scaling lessons at Disrupt 2026
Robby Stein, Google's vice president of product for Search, will speak at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 about how product decisions evolve when a service reaches billions of users. The fireside chat will cover balancing speed, trust, and reliability in large-scale product development. Stein previously co-founded Stamped and led consumer products at Instagram.
Stein's path spans both startup and enterprise settings. He co-founded Stamped, a social recommendations service acquired by Yahoo, then spent five years at Instagram leading consumer products such as Stories, Feed, Direct Messaging, and Reels. He later served as head of product at Artifact, an AI-powered newsfeed, before rejoining Google in 2024.
His current portfolio centers on generative AI within Google Search. AI Mode reportedly surpassed 1 billion monthly users in May, roughly a year after launch, and recent updates allow users to move from an AI Overview into follow-up conversations. Disrupt 2026 expects 10,000+ attendees and 250+ speakers across 200+ sessions, with discounted registration available until September 25.
As AI becomes embedded in everyday search, the balance between speed and reliability could shape how billions of people access and trust information. Users may see faster answers but also encounter new questions about accuracy and accountability. Founders building AI products could absorb lessons from Stein's session, potentially influencing what reaches consumers and how responsibly those tools are deployed.