Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 9 hours ago
Artificial intelligence may prove to be the defining technology of the century, but its rise depends on a deep—and often overlooked—partnership between digital innovation, energy systems and the extractive economy. From copper and cobalt to lithium and rare earths, every neural network powering modern AI is ultimately anchored in minerals, metals and energy infrastructure. As data centres multiply, grids come under strain and the West races China to secure critical materials, how can miners, technologists and energy providers work together to support the AI revolution? without stalling the clean-energy transition? Could closer collaboration between these sectors accelerate electrification, improve efficiency and unlock new investment in green power? And are governments and companies prepared for a future in which energy security, sustainability, defence capability and AI leadership are jointly shaped by critical minerals? supply chains written in the periodic table?
Supported by Glencore
Moderated by
Vijay Vaitheeswaran, global energy and climate innovation editor, The Economist
Speaker
Anna Krutikov, head of sustainability, Glencore
Artificial intelligence may prove to be the defining technology of the century, but its rise depends on a deep—and often overlooked—partnership between digital innovation, energy systems and the extractive economy. From copper and cobalt to lithium and rare earths, every neural network powering modern AI is ultimately anchored in minerals, metals and energy infrastructure. As data centres multiply, grids come under strain and the West races China to secure critical materials, how can miners, technologists and energy providers work together to support the AI revolution? without stalling the clean-energy transition? Could closer collaboration between these sectors accelerate electrification, improve efficiency and unlock new investment in green power? And are governments and companies prepared for a future in which energy security, sustainability, defence capability and AI leadership are jointly shaped by critical minerals? supply chains written in the periodic table?
Supported by Glencore
Moderated by
Vijay Vaitheeswaran, global energy and climate innovation editor, The Economist
Speaker
Anna Krutikov, head of sustainability, Glencore
