Episodes
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In this episode of Disruptors x CDL: The Innovation Era, hosts John Stackhouse and Sonia Sennik explore the dynamic role of generative AI in education and its far-reaching implications. As AI technology continues to evolve, it’s transforming classrooms and curriculum, influencing how students learn, and prompting schools to rethink traditional teaching methods. The hosts are joined by two distinguished guests: Janice Stein, founding director of the Munk School of Global Affairs, and John Baker, founder of D2L, a global ed-tech pioneer.
Janice shares her expertise on the ethical considerations and challenges of integrating AI into educational environments, highlighting how AI’s capabilities can impact both learning outcomes and the human connections vital to education. Meanwhile, John Baker provides insights into the evolving landscape of digital learning and discusses how AI-driven platforms like D2L Lumi are revolutionizing the educational experience, making learning more interactive and personalized.
This episode sheds light on the possibilities and challenges of AI in education, from enhancing productivity to rethinking team-based learning and fostering deep human connections. Whether you're an educator, student, or tech enthusiast, tune in to discover how generative AI is not only shaping the classroom of today but paving the way for the classrooms of tomorrow.
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In this episode of Disruptors x CDL: The Innovation Era, hosts John Stackhouse and Sonia Sennik dive into the rapidly evolving world of life sciences, exploring how Canada can leverage its strengths to lead in global drug discovery and healthcare innovation.
The pandemic accelerated scientific breakthroughs, such as AI-assisted vaccine development, but what will it take for Canada to continue leading into the 2030s? With special guests Anne Woods (Managing Director, Life Sciences, RBCx), Sue Paish (CEO, Digital), and Dr. Christine Allen (CEO, Intrepid Labs), this episode delves into how AI, data, and interdisciplinary collaboration are driving new treatments and medical advancements.
From Canada’s storied history in medical innovation to today’s challenges in scaling life sciences companies, the conversation explores the need for a cohesive strategy, greater investment in early-stage ventures, and an openness to data-driven healthcare solutions.
Listen now to hear expert insights on the future of life sciences, Canada’s unique opportunities, and how AI can reshape the way we discover and deliver life-saving treatments.
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Episodes manquant?
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In this episode of Disruptors x CDL: The Innovation Era, hosts John Stackhouse, Senior VP of RBC, and Sonia Sennik, CEO of Creative Destruction Lab, dive into one of the most transformative technologies of our time: Artificial Intelligence. With the potential to revolutionize industries from healthcare to energy, AI is reshaping the global economy — and Canada is both a leader in research and a laggard in adoption.
This week, Geoffrey Hinton, Professor at the University of Toronto, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for his research in artificial intelligence that began in 1987.
Join John and Sonia as they discuss Canada’s AI ecosystem and the country's challenges in keeping pace with global AI adoption. They’re joined by three visionary guests: Sheldon Fernandez, CEO of Darwin AI, Kory Mathewson, Senior Research Scientist at Google DeepMind, and Gillian Hadfield, a Schmidt Sciences AI2050 Senior Fellow. Together, they explore the opportunities and barriers in AI adoption, the creative applications of AI, and the role Canada must play in the future of AI.
This episode is packed with insights for business leaders, policymakers, and anyone curious about how AI is changing our world. Whether you’re an AI enthusiast or a skeptic, this episode will challenge your thinking on the role of technology in shaping the future.
Tune in to learn how AI is both an opportunity and a responsibility, and how Canada can lead the charge in this new innovation era.
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Welcome to the first episode of Disruptors x CDL: The Innovation Era, where host John Stackhouse teams up with Sonia Sennik, CEO of Creative Destruction Lab (CDL), to explore how cutting-edge technologies are transforming Canadian industries. Over the next eight episodes, they'll dive deep into the disruptive power of innovations like generative AI, quantum computing, and 5G, examining their potential to reshape sectors from entertainment to transportation.
In this premiere, John and Sonia discuss Canada’s economic challenges and how embracing technological advances is crucial for future growth. They also shine a spotlight on CDL, an objectives-based mentorship program that has helped generate $36 billion in equity value. Together, they explore the evolving role of AI in industries such as mining, manufacturing, and education, offering insights into how businesses can harness tech to stay competitive.
Tune in as they lay the groundwork for an exciting season, packed with discussions on the future of life sciences, energy, and even live entertainment.
Subscribe now to Disruptors x CDL: The Innovation Era as we explore critical insights into Canada’s economic challenges and offer actionable strategies for our bright future.
PS. Tickets for @tdotswift4cats - Toronto’s one-night-only fundraiser for cat shelters on Nov 20th 2024 at the Historic El Mocambo.
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Disruptors x CDL: The Innovation Era is a limited podcast series exploring the innovators and technologies reshaping Canada’s economy. Hosted by John Stackhouse, Senior Vice-President at RBC, and Sonia Sennik, CEO of Creative Destruction Lab, this series dives into solutions for navigating unprecedented global change.
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New technology has rarely led to fewer jobs, though it often impacts the way we work — eliminating old ways of doing things to create new opportunities.
To mitigate workforce disruption from the rise of AI and automation, we must invest in our people to enhance the value of expertise and enable valuable work.
But how do we ensure that AI is constructive and not destructive?
On this episode, we’re joined by David Autor, a renowned labour force economist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), who has spent his career studying the consequences of technology on jobs and the economy. -
The green hydrogen race is on, and billions are at stake. Countries big and small view hydrogen as an opportunity to convert wind, solar, gas and nuclear into molecules that they can sustainably ship around the world.
The hydrogen promise extends beyond reducing our carbon footprint and developing cleaner sources of energy; it’s also about reimagining a new industrial model for our economy, opening avenues for economic growth and job creation.
Canada is a country filled with vast renewable resources, but first we must navigate the complexities of the technology, economics and politics associated with a shift to clean energy adoption.
Is green hydrogen the next great Canadian energy export and will it be the tech innovation of the decade?
We’re joined by Gene Gebolys, CEO at World Energy and Marco Alvera, CEO at Tree Energy Solutions (TES) — two global energy pioneers betting on Canada’s green hydrogen potential, from the windswept Atlantic coast to the Mauricie region of Quebec. We also hear from the CEO at the Canadian Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association, Ivette Vera-Perez. -
The global race to apply AI to robotics in a way that can make society better is on — offering unprecedented efficiency, precision and enhancing productivity to relieve humans from mundane tasks.
Though there are concerns regarding ethical dilemmas and potential job displacement — fueling fears about the societal impact of these advancements. Striking a balance between the benefits and addressing these apprehensions will be key to unlocking a harmonious integration into our daily lives.
On this episode of Disruptors, John Stackhouse visits Sanctuary AI — a Canadian company recognized on TIME’s Best Inventions of 2023 — to explore the cutting-edge future of humanoid robotics and is joined by visionary, Suzanne Gildert, the company’s Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer. -
Carbon markets are at the forefront of climate action and the mobilization of carbon credits and offsets are critical — where each carbon credit holds the promise of a greener future for the Great White North.
Join us as we unravel the intricate dance of mobilizing these markets — exploring the interplay of trust, transparency, and tradability — while navigating the delicate balance between economic growth and ecological stewardship.
On this episode, we are discussing the hype and reality of carbon markets, the innovation and clean tech that enables carbon removal and the climate action activities that markets need to finance. We’re joined by Michael Berends, the CEO of Clear Blue Markets, Phil DeLuna, the Chief Carbon Officer at Deep Sky, and leadership from Coastal First Nations, whose community is accessing carbon markets to help protect the Great Bear Rainforest — the first offset project in North America to be implemented on traditional territory with unextinguished aboriginal rights and title. -
This is our 7th season of Disruptors and we’re kicking it off with a bang!
There is a tech wave surging and it was truly the summer of AI. People are both excited and worried about what it’ll mean for their communities, jobs, the economy, and the planet. And while these tech advances have immense potential, we need to think deeply about how they’ll be applied.
When it comes to AI research, we are a podium nation but when it comes to application, how can Canada step up to the plate? To help us make sense of it all, we are joined by two pioneers in Canada’s AI sector; Nick Frost, Cofounder of Cohere and Jordan Jacobs, Cofounder and Managing Partner of Radical Ventures. -
This was the year artificial intelligence got its wings — especially generative AI — and the tech is soaring to new heights.
Whether you’re excited or concerned, it’s clear that AI is one of the most disruptive forces in history.
AI is transforming the world at record pace — but is Canada prepared?
On the season finale, we visit the Creative Destruction Lab’s AI Super Session to talk with leading minds on the frontlines of Canada’s AI journey. We also sit down with Cari Covent, Head of AI at Canadian Tire to hear about how the iconic Canadian company is using AI — from robots to shopping assistants — to enhance the customer experience, improve employee productivity and eliminate mundane tasks. -
AI and emerging technology are critical in reducing emissions and helping us better understand the ocean’s impact on climate.
Canada is a leader in ocean research, and we continue to punch above our weight in the delivery of ocean innovation.
But can innovative tech turn the tide in the climate crisis?
On this episode, John Stackhouse visits Atlantic Canada — named one of the top oceantech ecosystems in the world — to check out the Cove Demo Day, Canada’s largest showcase of marine technology. He sits down with Anya Waite (CEO) and Eric Siegel (Chief Innovation Officer) of the Ocean Frontier Institute to discuss the opportunities for our nation — and the planet. -
AI, automation, robots, and drones are all impacting the way we grow food — and it’s happening right here on Canadian soil.
With a growing population, an affordability crisis, and increasing food insecurity, greenhouse innovation has a huge role to play in the agri-food sector.
Can Canada emerge as a leader in a low-carbon global food system?
To find out, John visits the greenhouse capital of Canada; Leamington, Ontario, where he’s joined by Peter Quiring, CEO at Nature Fresh Farms and Matt Korpan from the SEF Center for Horticultural Innovation. -
It’s no secret that the last few years have been rough for tech, but the sector also has a unique ability to look beyond the clouds and see opportunity through innovation.
And while there are challenges ahead, there is a renewed optimism that we may be entering a recovery stage — where a period of fiscal discipline and strategic focus can set companies up for long-term success. Silicon Valley and other tech centres are hopeful and as markets looks toward rate cuts going into 2025, a new confidence can be felt.
John Stackhouse is live from the RBC Capital Markets Technology Private Company Conference in LA and is joined by Sachin Dev Dugal, Chief Wizard at Builder AI — named one of the world's top three Most innovative Companies in AI, alongside Open AI and DeepMind. -
Nuclear innovation is making a resurgence as an attractive power source for a net-zero future — from large legacy reactors to small modular reactors (SMRs).
SMRs use compact and moveable nuclear technology, and if commercialized successfully, could bring new, non-emitting sources of electricity to big cities and remote communities alike, while providing greater flexibility to key Canadian industries that currently use fossil fuels.
So how do SMRs contribute to Canada’s energy security and what are the economic benefits to becoming a global leader?
On this episode, we’re joined by three nuclear leaders working to make SMRs a reality; Nicolle Butcher, COO at Ontario Power Generation; Bill Labbe, CEO at ARC Clean Technology Canada; and Heather Chalmers, CEO at GE Vernova. -
New technology has rarely led to fewer jobs, though it often impacts the way we work — eliminating old ways of doing things to create new opportunities.
To mitigate workforce disruption from the rise of AI and automation, we must invest in our people to enhance the value of expertise and enable valuable work.
But how do we ensure that AI is constructive and not destructive?
On this episode, we’re joined by David Autor, a renowned labour force economist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), who has spent his career studying the consequences of technology on jobs and the economy. -
Housing affordability has become a crisis in Canada, and we must prioritize innovative designs, building techniques, and technology to boost productivity and close the supply-demand gap.
Prefabricated homebuilding promises faster, more cost-effective alternatives to traditional construction methods — and if scaled correctly, a solution to address home prices and rent relief.
We’re joined by three prefab experts using technology to rethink construction; Craig Mitchell, Principle at BlackBox Offsite Solutions; Michele Tung, CEO at homeD Modular; and Mark Stephenson, CEO at Qube Building Systems. -
Innovative technology continues to disrupt the service sector — where expertise is augmented by cutting-edge tools — in attempt to remove complexity and reimagine delivery.
Cloud computing has transformed the legal profession and now AI stands to push that transformation even further — paving the way for a more inclusive and efficient legal system.
On this episode, we’re joined by Jack Newton, CEO and Founder of Clio, a LegalTech unicorn based in Canada, to discuss how tech disruption is transforming the legal landscape and what that means for both lawyers and their clients.
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The complexities of the climate transition require funding and access to capital that includes broader support nationwide — because without investment, there will be no transition.
But it’s a bumpy year for innovators, with higher interest rates and consumer resistance. Our research also shows that while climate intentions are admirable, consumers are going to act with their economic benefit in mind.
We must find ways to simplify sustainable solutions that lead to acceleration and scale to unlock value for society — and a lot of it will come down to technology and whether it can transform our economy fast enough.
On this episode, we’re joined by Peter Tertzakian and Jackie Forrest of the ARC Energy Research Institute to discuss the energy transition and what is sure to be a critical year in Canada’s climate journey. -
Innovative green technology is critical for driving environmental resilience and economic growth — though this tech is no stranger to obstacles.
Cleantech faces challenges and persistent barriers and having a diverse ecosystem — including entrepreneurs and investors — that encourages innovation and provides access to capital is critical to scale and market acceptance. This also means women and individuals from underrepresented communities need to be part of the solution.
This episode is a roundtable cohosted with Alison Nankivell, the incoming CEO of MaRS Discovery District, North America’s largest urban innovation hub and a nonprofit that provides support for startups. We’re joined by three women on the frontlines of Canadian cleantech; Myra Arshad of ALT TEX; Natalie Ashdown of Evoco and; Jacqueline Hutchings of Friendlier. - Montre plus
