Disruptors
Business & Economics Podcasts
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.
Location:
Canada
Description:
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.
Language:
English
Website:
https://rbc.com/
Episodes
Powering Canada: Electricity and Data Centres
1/14/2025
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.
Duration:00:30:07
From AI to the Final Frontier: Tech Trends Shaping 2025
12/24/2024
In this year-end episode of Disruptors x CDL: The Innovation Era, hosts John Stackhouse and Sonia Sennik take a look back at 2024’s groundbreaking tech stories and gaze ahead to what 2025 might bring. Joined by Sean Silcoff, technology reporter for The Globe and Mail for 12 years, they explore the rise of AI, the space economy, Canada’s evolving tech ecosystem, and the influence of political shifts on innovation.
Sean sheds light on the evolving tech ecosystem, from Canadian companies like Wealthsimple and D2L bouncing back with renewed valuations, to the challenges posed by brain drain, capital gains taxes, and global competition.
The trio also discusses the political landscape’s influence on tech, including the re-election of Donald Trump and his administration’s implications for big tech, crypto innovation, and international tariffs. They delve into trends like trust in AI and dual-use technologies, the growing prominence of armed drones, and the surge of defense investments in hardware and innovation.
Whether you’re curious about Canada’s tech resurgence, fascinated by AI’s evolution, or keen to explore the intersection of politics and technology, this episode is packed with insights and foresight.
Duration:00:27:58
On the Move: Canada’s EV Revolution
12/10/2024
In this episode of Disruptors x CDL: The Innovation Era, John Stackhouse and Sonia Sennik dive into the rapidly advancing world of electric vehicles (EVs) and the ecosystem needed to support their success.
Kristian Aquilina, President and Managing Director of GM Canada, shares insights on the BrightDrop electric delivery vans produced at GM’s CAMI plant—the country’s first full-scale EV manufacturing facility—and how local supply chains and infrastructure can accelerate Canada’s EV adoption. Paul Soubry, CEO of New Flyer Industries, discusses the evolution of zero-emission buses and the logistical and manufacturing innovations required to meet sustainability goals.
From electric transit to supply chain resilience, this episode unpacks the opportunities and challenges that come with redefining mobility in a more sustainable and competitive economy. Whether you’re passionate about green technology, supply chains, or urban innovation, this episode offers a glimpse into the future of transportation in Canada and beyond.
Duration:00:29:35
Commercializing Space (Part 2): From Frontier to Marketplace
11/21/2024
Part two of Disruptors x CDL: The Innovation Era continues with a focus on how space technology is transitioning from exploration to commercial viability.
John Stackhouse and Sonia Sennik are joined by aerospace leaders Christine Tovee, former CTO of Airbus Group North America, and Mina Mitry, CEO of Kepler Communications. The episode examines the pioneering role of Canadian companies in transforming space technologies into practical industries, such as satellite communications and Earth observation.
Duration:00:27:56
Space Economy (Part 1): Opportunities and Challenges
11/19/2024
In part one of this two-part series on Disruptors x CDL: The Innovation Era, John Stackhouse and Sonia Sennik discuss the unfolding potential of the space economy.
Joined by Chris Hadfield, former Commander of the International Space Station and acclaimed astronaut, they delve into the evolving landscape of space access, driven by technological breakthroughs and cost reductions exemplified by the significant drop in cost of delivering assets to low Earth orbit. The conversation highlights how these advancements could democratize space exploration, unlock new business ventures, and inspire global innovation.
Whether you’re intrigued by satellite technology, space-based research, or future resource extraction, this episode sheds light on how space is becoming more accessible than ever.
Duration:00:29:06
Educating for the Future: Post-Secondary Innovation
11/5/2024
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.
Duration:00:28:39
The Climate Conversations: How to Energize Our Future
11/8/2021
To learn more about Suncor’s carbon-reduction efforts, including how it plans to get to net-zero emissions by 2050, read its 2021 Report on Sustainability here.
JP Gladu has taken his extensive experience in corporate Canada to build his own consultancy, Mokwateh. To learn more about what Mokwateh does, check out his website.
Direct air capture, the technology sold by Carbon Engineering, is best explained by CEO Steve Oldham in this videotaped presentation to the U.S. Senate in...
Duration:00:37:27