Rbcdisruptors

AI is moving beyond passive outputs toward autonomous action. In this episode, John Stackhouse and Sonia Sennik explore Agentic AI, a new class of AI systems that can reason, plan, and take initiative with limited human oversight. These systems represent a major evolution beyond traditional and generative AI, capable of real-time adaptation and complex decision-making.They’re joined by Adel El Hallak, Senior Director of Product Management at NVIDIA AI Enterprise, and Jacomo Corbo, CEO and Co-Founder of PhysicsX. Adel shares insights from his work delivering secure, scalable AI platforms for enterprise, while Jacomo draws on deep experience deploying AI in high-performance engineering contexts, including Formula 1 and advanced manufacturing.Together, they unpack how agentic AI is already being deployed, the economic opportunities at stake, and the roadmaps and ethical considerations businesses need to navigate as AI agents become a force in real-world operations.Sign up to receive RBC Thought Leadership's news

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.S

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 in

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, a

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 pla

From Arctic sovereignty to wildfire response, Canada’s challenges are increasingly being solved by the low earth orbital satellites less than 1000km from the earth’s surface.  In this episode, co-hosts John Stackhouse and Sonia Sennik dive into the pivotal role that satellite communications have in Canada’s future. Prompted by Prime Minister Mark Carney’s call for enhanced Canadian defense, the conversation explores how innovation in low earth orbit will shape global competitiveness and security.Mike Greenley, CEO of MDA Space, offers a compelling look at how Canada’s satellite and robotics capabilities are fueling both surveillance and strategic infrastructure in space, including the next generation of the Canadarm. Dan Goldberg, CEO of Telesat, discusses their $6B Lightspeed constellation and how low Earth orbit networks will revolutionize broadband access across Canada and beyond. Finally, planetary scientist Dr. Margarita Marinova outlines a bold vision of an emerging space economy - from fire detection t

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.

AI is moving beyond passive outputs toward autonomous action. In this episode, John Stackhouse and Sonia Sennik explore Agentic AI, a new class of AI systems that can reason, plan, and take initiative with limited human oversight. These systems represent a major evolution beyond traditional and generative AI, capable of real-time adaptation and complex decision-making.They’re joined by Adel El Hallak, Senior Director of Product Management at NVIDIA AI Enterprise, and Jacomo Corbo, CEO and Co-Founder of PhysicsX. Adel shares insights from his work delivering secure, scalable AI platforms for enterprise, while Jacomo draws on deep experience deploying AI in high-performance engineering contexts, including Formula 1 and advanced manufacturing.Together, they unpack how agentic AI is already being deployed, the economic opportunities at stake, and the roadmaps and ethical considerations businesses need to navigate as AI agents become a force in real-world operations.

Carbon offsets aren’t enough. To truly tackle climate change, we need a global industry dedicated to pulling carbon out of the air and at massive scale. Join hosts John and Sonia inside the innovation race to scale carbon removal technologies, featuring insights from leading voices in the field.They speak with Dr. David Keith, a pioneering climate scientist and co-founder of Carbon Engineering, who unpacks the technological, policy, and economic hurdles to direct air capture and other approaches. You’ll also hear from two recent XPRIZE Carbon Removal winners, Mike Kelland of Planetary Technologies and Jim Mann of UNDO about how their startups are using ocean alkalinity and enhanced rock weathering to permanently sequester CO₂, while also delivering benefits to farmers and marine ecosystems.Together, they explore whether the world can build a scalable, measurable, and credible carbon removal industry – one capable of drawing down billions of tons of CO₂ annually.

Early detection remains the single most effective strategy for treating cancer, significantly enhancing survival rates and outcomes. Join hosts John Stackhouse and Sonia Sennik as they explore how groundbreaking innovation and technology are reshaping cancer detection, treatment, and prevention.Physician and entrepreneur Jesse Salk discusses his pioneering Duplex Sequencing Technology, dramatically improving diagnostic accuracy. Peter Liu, CEO of Oxford Cancer Analytics, explains how advanced machine learning and proteomics are enabling more precise and accessible cancer screening. Andrea Seale, CEO of the Canadian Cancer Society, shares exciting advances like lung cancer breathalyzers and convenient at-home blood tests. Listen in to discover how these innovations, combined with inspiring personal stories, are bringing renewed hope to one of humanity's most pressing health challenges.

The “Buy Canadian” movement has surged during talks of tariffs, often highlighting consumer goods. How can Canadian tech companies take advantage of this sentiment? Join John Stackhouse and Sonia Sennik in a conversation about Canada's emerging era of supporting local businesses and products. This episode explores how recent geopolitical shifts and consumer trends are prompting Canadians to prioritize local products, businesses, and technology solutions.Featuring insights from Dax Dasilva, CEO of Lightspeed, who discusses how technology can empower retailers and hospitality businesses through unpredictable times, and Derek Jouppi, creator of Buy Canada Tech, a platform designed to help Canadians discover homegrown digital alternatives. The discussion touches on the topics of community investment, economic nationalism, and the long-term benefits of fostering a robust Canadian entrepreneurial ecosystem. Discover why supporting local is not just a trend but a crucial step toward economic resilience and national

With global energy demands surging and climate concerns intensifying, Canada finds itself in a rare position: rich in natural resources, top technical talent, and the innovation needed to become a clean energy superpower. But how do we harness that potential without compromising on sustainability? John and Sonia take listeners inside Houston’s CERAWeek energy conference to unpack the growing momentum behind methane abatement, and Canada’s opportunity to lead the charge.The episode dives deep into methane: why it is 30x more potent than CO₂, where it leaks from — oil fields, landfills, farms etc. – and Canada’s commitment to methane capping.Hear from four groundbreaking Canadian cleantech entrepreneurs working on space-based emissions detection, sensor-agnostic software, nitrogen-powered pneumatics, and emissions data modeling to tackle the methane challenge for the country and beyond.Guest Information Jacqueline Peterson, PhD, Chief Climate Officer at Kathairos Solutions Inc.Stephane Germaine , President of G

With cybercriminals leveraging AI to fuel scams and misinformation, how do we verify what's real? Joined by cybersecurity experts Shuman Ghosemajumder (former Global Head of Product Trust at Google and Co-founder of Reken), and Ken Nickerson (Inventor and Entrepreneur, iBinary, ex-Microsoft, ex-Rogers, ex-Kobo, ex-OMERS, and behind Sealed, a tool designed to verify digital content), John Stackhouse and Sonia Sennik confront a startling new reality where AI-generated deepfakes can mimic voices, images, and even entire identities with frightening accuracy. Together, they unpack the rapidly shifting landscape of AI-driven fraud, explore the concept of "zero trust," and highlight innovative solutions that could help us navigate an era where digital deception is the norm.They explore how to protect democracy, businesses, and personal identities in a world where proof of authenticity is harder than ever. 

How can Canadians unleash their competitive spirit and rediscover the drive to build bigger, faster, and smarter? Serial entrepreneur and tech investor Daniel Debow joins John and Sonia to tackle that question. They explore how decades of slow productivity growth have eroded Canada’s economic position, and why there’s new urgency to rewrite the country’s playbook.Daniel explains how his passion for building ventures, from software startups acquired by Salesforce and Shopify, to the collaborative “Build Canada” initiative, reflects a broader need for bold experimentation in Canadian policy and business culture. He highlights how stronger digital frameworks, better data sharing in healthcare, and a more ambitious national narrative can help Canada punch above its weight in a rapidly changing global environment. John and Sonia underscore the power of collaboration and the importance of making tough policy choices to reimagine Canada’s future. If you’re ready to think bigger and help propel this country forward,

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.

What happens in Davos doesn’t stay in Davos, it shapes the future of business, technology, and global markets. In this episode of Disruptors x CDL: The Innovation Era, John Stackhouse joins co-host Sonia Sennik from Davos to break down the biggest conversations at the World Economic Forum. From Donald Trump's controversial speech and its implications for Canada to the surging confidence in AI, energy, and innovation, this episode unpacks the global trends shaping the economy.John shares insights on the U.S.’s bullish outlook, the future of AI in business and defense, the growing space economy, and why Canada needs to step up its game on the global stage. With conversations about regulatory shifts, geopolitical tensions, and the role of emerging technologies in shaping the future, this episode is packed with critical takeaways for entrepreneurs, policymakers, and industry leaders.

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 in

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.Whethe

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 be

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.