REBOOT: AgriFood and Food Security: Can Canada Feed the World?
With a growing global population and climate challenges reshaping food production, Canada has a golden opportunity to lead the ag-tech revolution. But are we ready? In this episode of Disruptors x CDL, John Stackhouse and Sonia Sennik take a deep dive into the future of farming with industry experts Evan Fraser (Director, Arrell Food Institute) and Alison Sunstrum (CEO, CNSRV-X Inc.), exploring the innovations that could transform agriculture as we know it.They discuss how AI, robotics, and precision farming are reshaping the food system—from predictive agriculture to climate-resilient crops. With Canada slipping in global agri-food rankings, what must we do to stay competitive? And how can we bridge the gap between innovation and adoption?From farm fields to lab-grown solutions, this episode uncovers the technologies and policies that will define the next era of food production. Whether you’re in tech, policy, or just interested in the future of your next meal, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.Sign up to receive RBC Thought Leadership's newsletter, flagship reports and analysis on the forces shaping Canadian business and the economy.
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REBOOT: Powering Canada: Electricity and Data Centres
What does it take to power the intelligence economy of the future? In this episode of Disruptors x CDL: The Innovation Era, hosts John Stackhouse and Sonia Sennik dive into the surging energy demands of AI and data centers, exploring how Canada can seize this pivotal moment to lead the way in sustainable innovation.Alberta’s Minister of Technology and Innovation, Nate Glubish, shares how the province is positioning itself as a global hub for data infrastructure through initiatives like the Wonder Valley project, which aims to build the largest data center installation on the planet. Doug Beach, Chair of Eavor Technologies, discusses the role of advanced geothermal energy in creating a cleaner, more reliable energy grid. Together, they illuminate Canada’s unique potential to combine abundant natural resources, cutting-edge technologies, and bold innovation strategies to power the next generation of intelligence.Discover how startups, policymakers, and industry leaders are coming together to transform Canada into a global leader in the data economy, while balancing energy demands with sustainability. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation about the opportunities shaping our nation’s future.Sign up to receive RBC Thought Leadership's newsletter, flagship reports and analysis on the forces shaping Canadian business and the economy.
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Canada’s AI Opportunity with Minister of Artificial Intelligence Evan Solomon
Are we ready for the AI era or are we stuck in an imagination gap? In this special 200th episode, recorded live at Creative Destruction Lab’s Super Session, John Stackhouse and Sonia Sennik sit down with Minister Evan Solomon, Canada’s first-ever Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation. From national sovereignty and productivity to global competition and culture, Solomon outlines a bold vision for Canada’s AI future - what he calls a “Gutenberg moment” in human progress.Drawing on findings from the new RBC Thought Leadership report The AI Imagination Gap, this episode explores why Canadian enterprises are hesitating on AI adoption and how the right mix of policy, ambition, and imagination can close the gap. Minister Solomon speaks candidly about the four key pillars of Canada’s AI strategy: scaling champions, adoption, trust, and sovereignty, and offers tangible insights into how SMEs, researchers, and public institutions can all benefit from AI’s abundance, if the right supports are in place.This wide-ranging conversation dives into Canada's AI spine, the importance of protecting national culture through digital sovereignty, and how government, startups, and citizens alike must embrace this pivotal moment with urgency, collaboration, and creativity. Download AI Report:Bridging the Imagination Gap: How Canadian Companies can become global leaders in AI adoption
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Building Global from Canada: Shopify’s Entrepreneurial Ambition
What does it take to transform a startup into Canada’s second-largest company in just a decade? Sonia Sennik and John Stackhouse discuss his conversation with Harley Finkelstein, President of Shopify, live from C2 Montreal.Harley discusses how Shopify embraced anti-fragility, continually reinvented itself beyond e-commerce, and leveraged AI to reshape retail and empower creators globally. He highlights the essential entrepreneurial mindset needed to foster innovation in Canada, urging ambitious entrepreneurs to think bigger, build stronger networks, and seize the opportunities emerging at the forefront of technology and commerce. Tune in to explore how crises become catalysts, why relentless ambition matters, and how Shopify’s success story could inspire Canada's next wave of global companies.
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REBOOT: AI is Disrupting Canada’s Labour Landscape
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.
Understand the forces that are shaping the future of business and technology to navigate the
rapid changes in Canada’s tech landscape.
Innovation is driving business productivity and sustainability across industries in Canada and beyond. How can Canadian entrepreneurs make the most of these new technology opportunities? How can they embrace disruption and scale their businesses?
Powered by cutting-edge research from RBC, Season 8 of Disruptors kicks off with a special
series, Disruptors x CDL: The Innovation Era, co-hosted by Sonia Sennik, Chief Executive Officer of Creative Destruction Lab (CDL),
and RBC’s John Stackhouse. Together, they dive into the latest advancements in AI,
automation, and data analytics, highlighting their transformative impact on business and the
economy.
You’ll hear from pioneers in AI, clean energy, and life sciences—people leading the way in
turning technology innovation into practical business solutions. From AI’s role in improving
business productivity to the future of work, Disruptors x CDL: The Innovation Era delivers the insights you need to stay competitive in a world driven by technology and digital transformation.
The show highlights strategies and ideas that can help your business navigate rapid changes in
the tech landscape. Whether you’re a business leader, entrepreneur, or policymaker, Disruptors x CDL: The Innovation Era equips you with the tools to thrive in this new technology-driven economy.
Follow Disruptors x CDL: The Innovation Era, an original podcast from RBC, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.
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