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Chairman’s Reception

Leading Through Uncertainty: Navigating the Next Era of AI and Energy Transformation

Hosted by Infosys & Economist Impact | January 20th, 2026 | 17:30 CET

Economic volatility, geopolitical fragmentation and environmental crises are rattling the foundations of business. While artificial intelligence (AI) and digital transformation are revolutionising how those same businesses operate. AI is on track to improve society and human progress. But its biggest effects are not necessarily positive.

The International Energy Agency notes that around 1.5% of global electricity is spent on powering data centres, and electricity consumption related to AI could treble in the next five years. This has huge implications for the environment. Yet AI can be used as a tool to transform the energy, and other hard to abate, sectors. Mining and metals are already seeing the benefits with predictive maintenance or autonomous cooling systems cutting electricity usage and costs.

For business and policy leaders, the convergence of AI and energy raises urgent questions. How can energy systems scale fast enough to meet AI-driven demand without derailing climate goals? Can AI unlock meaningful efficiencies across power generation and grids? And how will volatile geopolitics, resource competition and national priorities shape the future of energy security?

Join Infosys and Economist Impact at Davos for “Leading through uncertainty: navigating the next era of AI and energy transformation”, for an exclusive, invitation-only discussion between Nandan Nilekani, Fatih Birol and Rachana Shanbhogue.

The conversation will explore:

• How are leaders reassessing risk and resilience amid shifting global power dynamics?
• How is AI-driven electricity demand reshaping energy markets and policy priorities?
• But in what ways can AI help accelerate decarbonisation and energy security?
• How are geopolitics, energy security and technological competition increasingly intertwined?
• What role can governments and business play in aligning AI with climate goals?