CERAWeek Podcast with Atul Arya - JANUARY 21, 2026
Generative AI for Energy Executives: A Conversation with MIT Faculty John R. Williams and Abel Sanchez
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.