Disruptors

By RBC Thought Leadership, John StackhouseBusiness Entrepreneurship Technology

Disruptors episodes

November 05, 2024 Educating for the Future: Post-Secondary Innovation
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.
CONNECT & SUBSCRIBE:
• Follow RBC Thought Leadership on LinkedIn
• Follow John Stackhouse on LinkedIn
• For more insights visit RBC Thought Leadership

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
29 min
October 22, 2024 Biotech Boom: Canada’s Life Sciences Revolution
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.
CONNECT & SUBSCRIBE:
• Follow RBC Thought Leadership on LinkedIn
• Follow John Stackhouse on LinkedIn
• For more insights visit RBC Thought Leadership

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
29 min
October 10, 2024 AI in Canada: Leading Innovation, Lagging Adoption
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.
CONNECT & SUBSCRIBE:
• Follow RBC Thought Leadership on LinkedIn
• Follow John Stackhouse on LinkedIn
• For more insights visit RBC Thought Leadership

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
29 min
September 24, 2024 Disruptors x CDL: Canada’s Innovation Journey
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.
CONNECT & SUBSCRIBE:
• Follow RBC Thought Leadership on LinkedIn
• Follow John Stackhouse on LinkedIn
• For more insights visit RBC Thought Leadership

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
24 min
September 17, 2024 Disruptors x CDL: The Innovation Era
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.
CONNECT & SUBSCRIBE:
• Follow RBC Thought Leadership on LinkedIn
• Follow John Stackhouse on LinkedIn
• For more insights visit RBC Thought Leadership

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
2 min
September 03, 2024 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. CONNECT & SUBSCRIBE:
• Follow RBC Thought Leadership on LinkedIn
• Follow John Stackhouse on LinkedIn
• For more insights visit RBC Thought Leadership
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
for information about our collection and use of personal data for
advertising.
31 min
August 20, 2024 REBOOT: Hydrogen Horizons: Powering a Green Path Forward
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. CONNECT & SUBSCRIBE:
• Follow RBC Thought Leadership on LinkedIn
• Follow John Stackhouse on LinkedIn
• For more insights visit RBC Thought Leadership
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
for information about our collection and use of personal data for
advertising.
29 min
August 06, 2024 REBOOT: Mechanical Minds: Exploring the World of AI Robots
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. CONNECT & SUBSCRIBE:
• Follow RBC Thought Leadership on LinkedIn
• Follow John Stackhouse on LinkedIn
• For more insights visit RBC Thought Leadership
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
for information about our collection and use of personal data for
advertising.
31 min
July 23, 2024 REBOOT: Navigating Canada’s Carbon Frontier
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.
CONNECT & SUBSCRIBE:
• Follow RBC Thought Leadership on LinkedIn
• Follow John Stackhouse on LinkedIn
• For more insights visit RBC Thought Leadership
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
for information about our collection and use of personal data for
advertising.
31 min
July 09, 2024 REBOOT: Forging Canada’s path in a future filled with AI
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.
CONNECT & SUBSCRIBE:
• Follow RBC Thought Leadership on LinkedIn
• Follow John Stackhouse on LinkedIn
• For more insights visit RBC Thought Leadership
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
for information about our collection and use of personal data for
advertising.
29 min

About Disruptors

From the publisher's feed

Disruptors, now in its 11th season, has become your front-row seat to Canada’s innovation story—200+ episodes exploring the people, ideas, and technologies reshaping Canada’s future.