In this episode of the CERAWeek Podcast with Atul Arya, Atul is joined by MIT faculty leaders Professor John R. Williams and Dr. Abel Sanchez to examine the impact of generative AI for senior leaders across the energy value chain. As AI transforms electricity demand while reshaping operations, risk management and competitiveness, the conversation previews a new two-day executive education program launching at CERAWeek 2026: "Generative AI for Energy Executives: Intelligence per Watt."

Key topics include:

• AI's dual role as a major new source of power demand and catalyst for efficiency and resilience
• How AI is reshaping operating models, infrastructure planning and competitive business advantages
• The management, governance and cultural challenges of deploying AI at scale
• Emerging risks around data, reliability and autonomous systems
• Why energy leaders can no longer afford a wait-and-see approach to adopting generative AI

This episode frames the strategic questions energy executives must confront as AI, power systems and geopolitics increasingly converge—setting the stage for the leadership conversations at CERAWeek 2026.

In this episode of the CERAWeek Podcast with Atul Arya, Atul sits down with Varun Sivaram, Founder and CEO of Emerald AI, to examine how the rapid expansion of AI data centers is transforming electricity demand, infrastructure planning and global competition. AI's future hinges on chips innovation, but also on the availability and supply of power. Flexibility, not just efficiency, will determine whether AI can scale without straining power grids or driving up energy costs.

The discussion explores:

• Surging electricity demand from AI data centers and what it means for the U.S. power system
• The growing competition between the U.S. and China, driven by access to power and technology
• How flexibility can ease grid constraints and accelerate data center deployment
• Collaborative models between utilities, hyperscalers, regulators and technology providers is becoming essential

As energy, technology, and geopolitics increasingly converge, these questions will be central to the dialogue at CERAWeek 2026, where leaders will come together to address the future of AI, energy security, and infrastructure. Join us March 23-27, 2026 in Houston, TX. Learn more at ceraweek.com

In the final installment of this two-part series of the CERAWeek Podcast with Atul Arya, guest host Naki Mendoza is joined by Carlos Pascual and Roger Diwan to examine the dynamics shaping the agenda for CERAWeek 2026—and the growing convergence and competition between energy, technology and geopolitics.

Key topics:

• A shifting geopolitical order and the impact of great-power rivalry
• Competition for capital, driven by AI and rising power demand
• The strategic role of critical minerals in energy and technology supply chains
• China's technological positioning and global influence
• Infrastructure, permitting and policy challenges shaping investment decisions

These dynamics sit at the heart of CERAWeek 2026, where global leaders will come together to address energy security, technological transformation, and geopolitical risk. Tune in to the full episode—and join the conversation March 23–27, 2026, in Houston.

Learn more at ceraweek.com