AI is moving fast, but the infrastructure behind it is built over years. Every decision about where and how to build a datacenter now carries bigger questions about energy, water, land, reliability, and impact on the people who live nearby.

This session explores what it takes to plan responsibly for the next era of cloud and AI infrastructure. As Microsoft leaders make long-term decisions in a world of real resource constraints, how will they balance expectations and commitments while designing datacenters that can adapt over time and earn the trust of communities?

• Noelle Walsh, President, Cloud Operations and Innovation, Microsoft

Rising electricity demand from AI, advanced manufacturing and electrification are squeezing grids. In particular, the rapid expansion of hyperscale data centers is creating concentrated, around-the-clock loads that challenge grid flexibility, capacity and planning timelines.

This session will examine how leaders can modernise and strengthen infrastructure, diversify the energy mix, and improve efficiency to meet surging demand without sacrificing resilience or affordability.

Speakers include:

• Alexis Crowell, General Manager, Americas, Axelera AI

Industries are being squeezed from both ends. Climate volatility is disrupting energy supply, transport routes and water availability, while rising demand, resource constraints and higher operating costs are adding pressure to deliver more with less.

Businesses that reduce energy, water and material intensity can strengthen resilience, lower costs and improve competitiveness while advancing sustainability goals. How is climate risk reshaping industrial strategy? Where do efficiency, resilience and competitive advantage converge?

Speakers include:

• Bob Holycross, VP, Chief Sustainability, Environment & Safety Officer, Ford

The next generation of infrastructure must deliver more with less - less energy, less water, lower-carbon materials and lower emissions - without compromising reliability. What does designing for constraint mean in practice, and how can innovation in materials and engineering help build infrastructure that is both more resilient and more efficient?

From low-carbon construction materials and circular design to distributed energy, water reuse and smarter building management, the next generation of buildings will play a critical role in strengthening urban systems.

This session will explore how developers, cities and industry leaders can rethink construction, retrofit ageing infrastructure and design buildings that support both climate resilience and long-term economic growth.

Speakers include:

• Laura Popa, Deputy Commissioner of Sustainability, New York City Department of Buildings

What does a “fit-for-purpose” city look like in a world of chronic heat, flood risk, water stress and grid constraint? How can cities balance affordability, resilience and decarbonization at the same time? And what emerging solutions—across nature-based infrastructure, digital twins, distributed energy and water systems, and circular urban resource flows—could redefine urban performance over the next decade?

Speakers include:

• Melissa Hoffer, Climate Chief, Massachusetts
• Victoria Salinas, Climate Leader in Residence, Duke University and Former Deputy Administrator for Resilience, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
• Douglas Farnham, Chief Recovery Officer, Vermont