TechCrunch Disrupt 2025: Aisha Abdur Rahim Shares Her Experience
November 11, 2025
It has been over a week since I attended TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 San Francisco, and I’m still soaking in all the incredible projects, conversations, and innovations I witnessed. I had the amazing opportunity to attend this global tech event alongside my fellow Student Ambassador Yi Zhang, representing Northeastern University in Silicon Valley.
As someone passionate about technology that serves a purpose, this experience was truly unforgettable. One of the most memorable aspects of TechCrunch Disrupt was connecting with innovators and learning directly from the people shaping the future. I had the pleasure of meeting Aravind Ponraj and the AI Seer team — creators of Facticity.AI, one of TIME’s Best Inventions of 2024. Their product uses Computer Vision and AI to detect misinformation and verify the truth across text, audio, and video. It was incredible to see how AI can be both fun and deeply impactful, tackling one of the most pressing challenges of our digital world — truth and trust in information.
But perhaps the project that moved me the most was NeoNest by Che Innovations. NeoNest is a practical and life-saving device designed to safely transport premature babies to hospitals using a locally manufacturable infant warmer made from a water jug. Witnessing how technology could be used to serve humanity and save lives was profoundly inspiring. As someone who believes deeply in the ethical use of technology, this reaffirmed my commitment to innovation with purpose.
It was also wonderful attending some of the insightful sessions throughout the conference. A standout moment for me was the Synthetic Voices and Real Impact session by ElevenLabs, where Mati Staniszewski shared an interesting perspective — that AI audio models will eventually be “commoditized” over time. This statement sparked deep reflection on how rapidly AI is evolving, and how creativity, rather than access, might become the new differentiator in the AI landscape.
It was also super nice meeting our alum Preeti Jain during the conference and getting the chance to connect with her. As a former Husky, she shared some wonderful insights about her journey after Northeastern, which made the experience even more special.
TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 was more than just a conference — it was a reminder of why we build technology in the first place: to solve real problems, empower people, and make the world a better place. Every booth, every demo, and every conversation carried that spark of innovation driven by purpose.
It was super fun, enlightening, and truly a privilege to be part of such a dynamic environment. I am incredibly grateful to Northeastern University for this opportunity to learn, connect, and grow. I look forward to many more experiences like this — ones that remind us that the heart of technology beats strongest when it beats for good.
