Energy Disruptors 2024 - Key Takeaways

I was very fortunate to attend and host a book signing at the recent Energy Disruptors Unite event where the headliners included former Prime Minister of New Zealand - Jacinda Ardern , former PM of Finland - Sanna Marin, as well as writer and historian - Yuval Noah Harari, who joined via hologram. 3,000 innovators and industry leaders gathered in the beautiful new BMO Centre in Calgary, Canada to unpack the most pressing challenges at the intersection of energy, technology, and society. Conversations ranged from energy transition, future of AI, and critical minerals to climate change, greenwashing, and leadership in an era of rapid transformation. I've summarized some of my key takeaways here.

1. Leadership: "Responsibility & Empathy"

Author and economist Peter Tertzakian kicked off the event and set the tone by emphasizing the challenges of leadership in times of unprecedented transformation. He said; "There's nothing more difficult than to get a few decision-making people to do something they've never done before." Leadership in the energy transition requires the ability to simplify complex issues, build trust, and think holistically about the future. In the face of rising populism, Jacinda Ardern’s message of responsibility and empathy stood out. She argued that while it is tempting to develop "thick skin" in response to political pressures, it's empathy that sustains good leadership. While Sanna Marin made the case in today’s complex landscape, leaders must adopt a social justice approach, ensuring that empathy drives responsible decisions and a commitment to equity for all. Yuval Noah Harari talked about the importance for leaders to take responsibility for their decisions and the impact they have on society. Populism thrives on divisive rhetoric, but self correcting mechanisms in democracies, institutions, and oneself can ground us in responsibility, empathy, and appreciation for the greater good to bridge divides and build resilient communities.

2. Energy Transition: "Rerouting Joules"

Jeff Navin , TerraPower 's Director of External Affairs highlighted the shift away from fossil fuels toward renewable power systems enables societies "to depend less on geology under their feet and more on the education taking place in their schools." Peter Tertzakian explained that currently there is a lot of emphasis on the sources of energy (such as major investments into solar panels) and the consumer products (e.g., electric vehicles) but the infrastructure required to reroute the joules of energy from incumbent to emerging energy systems is greatly undervalued and in need of much greater investment. To make the transition successful, business must collaborate with policy makers and innovate to push for supportive policies as well as the burdening policies that will drive positive change away from incumbent systems.

3. Critical Minerals: "Accelerating Electrification"

Bob Gaylen, former Chief Technology Officer at CATL provided a sobering assessment of how far ahead China is as the dominant global player in the processing of lithium and other rare earth minerals driving the global effort toward electrification. Gaylen pointed out that China’s rapid electrification was largely driven by public health concerns associated with smog in major cities. Competing with China in the race for critical minerals will reshape the geopolitical landscape, with clean energy no longer being seen as an issue of human or environmental health but a competition for relevance in the emerging global economy.

4. AI: "The Next Arms Race"

The potential for artificial intelligence to unlock exponential transformations in energy, our workplaces, and human knowledge were touched on throughout the Energy Disruptors event. However, Bruno Ma??es, a journalist, author, and European politician issued a stark warning about the potential militarization of AI, referencing Israel’s attack on Lebanon as the "first major AI attack" and predicting an AI arms race. Meanwhile, Yuval Noah Harari questioned whether humanity will cede control to algorithms or force them to adapt to the legitimate human need for breaks, holidays, and weekends. The use of AI not only demands more power, as Ed Crooks noted, but also prompts ethical concerns about who controls this powerful technology. AI’s impact on job markets and societal structures calls for new education systems to build "mental flexibility" and adapt to a rapidly changing world.

5. ESG & Greenwashing: "Prove the Story"

Jon Mitchell , Chief Sustainability Officer at Suncor and others highlighted the growing scrutiny around environmental, social, and governance (ESG) claims. With new regulations like Canada’s Bill C-59, companies are now held accountable not just for product-level claims but for corporate-level transparency. This anti-greenwashing legislation underscores the importance of authentic and verifiable sustainability efforts, ensuring companies "prove the story" behind their environmental impact. With ESG disclosures now considered promotion, organizations need to prioritize honesty in communicating their impact.

6. Human Adaptability: "Mental Flexibility for the Unknown"

Yuval Noah Harari stressed the need for constant learning in a world where no one can predict what the job market will look like in 10-20 years. He highlighted the importance of developing "skills of the mind, heart, and hands" to navigate future challenges. Teaching mental flexibility will be critical, especially as AI and automation transform industries. In an era where misinformation spreads rapidly, education systems will need to evolve to help people adapt not only in their youth but throughout their lives, ensuring that societies can keep pace with unprecedented technological change. He reminded us that humans gravitate to stories and collective mythology is a strong force that shapes communities and their pursuits. If we want to shift the narrative, we shouldn't waste our time trying to disprove or poke holes in the prevailing mythology. It's more effective to replace it with a more compelling mythology.

I was so impressed with the Energy Disruptors event and learned a great deal. My sincere gratitude and congratulations to the organizers, especially Graeme Edge , Michelle Edge and Holly Ransom who have created something truly extraordinary.

Leor Rotchild is a nationally-recognized speaker, author, and consultant with 20 years of sustainable business experience. His new book entitled How We Gather Matters: Sustainable Event Planning for Purpose and Impact is now available at local bookstores or online .