• Fatima Ahmad, Founder, AI for Energy

• Yiselle Santos Rivera, AIA, National Vice-President (2026 President-Elect), The American Institute of Architects

Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the built environment. But for architecture, its adoption has been both transformative and challenging. While AI presents exciting opportunities to rethink design processes, accelerate project delivery and improve construction outcomes, it also raises important questions around governance, regulation and the future role of architects.

This opening session will examine how AI is changing the practice of architecture while exploring one of the industry’s most pressing challenges: designing the infrastructure that will power the AI economy. The discussion will also focus on the practical applications of AI in architectural practice. AI is increasingly becoming a powerful tool that enhances productivity and delivers measurable value across projects.

Discussion Points:

• Architecture’s evolving relationship with AI
• Designing the next generation of AI-ready data centres and digital infrastructure.
• How AI is improving construction administration and project delivery.
• Practical applications of AI in architecture
• Preparing architects and the built environment sector for an AI-enabled future.

Moderator: Carl Sergio, AIA, Senior Project Architect, Sheehan Nagle Hartray Architects, a Woolpert company

Speakers:

• David Sassano, FAIA, Principal and Regional Practice Director, Mission Critical, HKS
• Michael Turner, Vice Chair and Ashburn District Supervisor, Loudoun County, Virginia
• Arathi Gowda, FAIA, Regional Director of Regenerative Design, Principal, Perkins&Will

As artificial intelligence rapidly transforms the energy sector, policymakers and industry leaders face a critical moment to align innovation with reliability, safety, and economic competitiveness. This session will explore the federal and state policy frameworks needed to support the responsible deployment of AI across energy systems—while safeguarding consumers and maintaining grid stability. Speakers will examine how transparent, technology-neutral regulation can enable innovation without compromising oversight, and discuss strategies to ensure the United States remains the premier destination for building and scaling AI infrastructure.

Discussion Points:

• Federal and state policy frameworks to support safe and efficient AI deployment in energy
• Balancing innovation with consumer protection and grid reliability
• Regulatory transparency and technology-neutral standards
• Where can AI support your business strategy?
• Ensuring the U.S. remains the most attractive place to build AI infrastructure

Moderator: Kathryn Kline Tyndall, Associate Director, Energy, Bipartisan Policy Center

Speakers:

• Michael Yancey, Director of Congressional Policy, Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions (CRES)
• Luke Bassett, Public Policy Lead, Tapestry
• Sapna Dowla, Associate Vice President, Policy & Research, Alliance to Save Energy
• Todd Sims, Senior Director, Regulatory and Industry Affairs for the Built Environment, National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA)

Artificial intelligence is emerging as a powerful catalyst for the next generation of energy innovation. This session will explore how AI can accelerate the development of new energy technologies and strengthen U.S. leadership in a rapidly evolving global landscape. Speakers will discuss pathways for scaling early-stage solutions, unlocking efficiencies in hard-to-abate sectors, and improving industrial processes through advanced data and automation. The conversation will also examine how the United States can position itself competitively in the race for AI-driven energy innovation while advancing long-term goals.

Discussion Points:

• AI for accelerating energy technology development and U.S. energy innovation leadership
• Scaling early-stage solutions
• Applications in hard to abate sectors and improving process efficiency
• Positioning the U.S. against competitors in AI-driven energy innovation

Moderator: Heather Reams, Founder & CEO, Conexus Strategies

Speakers:

• Janelle Eddins, Director, Office of Advanced Reactors, U.S. Department of Energy
• David M. Hart, Senior Fellow for Climate & Energy, Council on Foreign Relations
• Ben Brenner, Director of Federal Affairs, Zanskar
• Jenna Peth, Federal Government Affairs, Snohomish County PUD

In Conversation with:

• Josh Garrett, CEO, Redwood Climate Communications
• Tristyn Hassani, Head of Community, Mixing Board powered by Axios
• Garphil Julien, Policy Lead, PowerLines

1:15pm – 1:25pm | Keynote Address

• Darío Gil, Under Secretary for Science and Genesis Mission Director, U.S. Department of Energy

1:25pm – 1:35pm | Keynote Address

• Anthony Pugliese, Director, Office of Technology Commercialization, and Chief Commercialization Officer, U.S. Department of Energy

As AI adoption accelerates, so too does its appetite for electricity—raising urgent questions about how to power the next wave of digital infrastructure. This session will examine current and projected energy demands from AI and explore how markets and grid planning can evolve to meet this rapid growth. Speakers will discuss strategies to align AI-driven economic expansion with smarter grid design, including flexible demand, energy efficiency, and forward-looking system planning. The conversation will also highlight the importance of local energy supply considerations and how communities can share in the economic benefits of AI infrastructure development.

Discussion Points:

• Current and projected electricity requirements for AI
• Market mechanisms and grid planning to accommodate AI-driven growth
• Aligning AI-driven economic growth with smart grid planning, flexible demand and energy efficiency
• Local energy supply considerations and shared economic benefits

Moderator: Heather Reams, Founder & CEO, Conexus Strategies

Speakers:

• Dr Ceren Susut, Senior Advisor, Office of Electricity, U.S. Department of Energy
• Susan McLeod, VP, Data Center Market Development, Hitachi Energy
• Lori Bird, U.S. Director, Polsky Energy Center, World Resources Institute
• Lisa Jacobson, President, Business Council for Sustainable Energy

Artificial intelligence is poised to transform how energy systems are built, managed, and optimized. This session will explore how AI can enable more adaptable, resilient, and intelligent grid infrastructure capable of responding to real-time conditions and evolving demand. Speakers will discuss the role of public-private partnerships in accelerating smart grid deployment, as well as strategies to enhance reliability during severe weather events and periods of peak demand. The conversation will also address how to ensure access to modernized grid infrastructure across both rural and urban communities.

Discussion Points:

• AI for Adaptable, Smart Grid Infrastructure
• Public-Private Partnerships in smart grid deployment
• Enhancing reliability for severe weather and peak demand
• Rural and urban grid equity considerations

Moderator: James Maloney, Founder & Managing Director, Tiger Hill Partners

Speakers:

• Dr Ceren Susut, Senior Advisor, Office of Electricity, U.S. Department of Energy
• James Ogle, Director of Electricity Infrastructure Sector, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL)
• Tunde Gbotosho, Vice President, AI Strategy & Client Solutions, Motive Power

• Congresswoman Kathy Castor (D-FL-14), Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Energy, U.S. House of Representatives

As AI becomes embedded in energy systems and critical infrastructure, it introduces both transformative capabilities and new security risks. This session will examine how to design and deploy secure AI systems for energy operations while proactively identifying and mitigating emerging vulnerabilities. Speakers will explore strategies to protect critical infrastructure without stifling innovation, emphasizing the importance of resilience in an increasingly digital grid. The discussion will also highlight a pivotal opportunity: as AI reshapes how infrastructure is built, stakeholders can ensure systems are not only smarter and more efficient but secure by design from the outset.

Discussion Points:

• Secure AI systems for energy operations
• Preventing new vulnerabilities
• Protecting critical infrastructure while maintaining open innovation
• As AI reshapes how we build infrastructure, opportunity to build not only smarter and more efficient, but also secure by design

Moderator: Zack Valdez, Senior Director, Smart Manufacturing & Industrial Policy, National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA)

Speakers:

• Harry Krejsa, Director of Studies, Carnegie Mellon Institute for Strategy & Technology
• Jordan Henry, Center Director, Cyber Security Research Center, National Laboratory of the Rockies
• Kevin Wood, Principal Solutions Engineer, Chief IIoT Architect, Cisco

• Fatima Ahmad, Founder, AI For Energy

Hosted by the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) in collaboration with Carnegie Mellon University’s Institute for Strategy and Technology (CMIST), the workshop will focus on the emerging challenges and opportunities in cybersecurity at the nexus of energy systems and datacenter infrastructure. Attendance will be limited to a select group of invited participants. Please kindly confirm your interest to attend by emailing tom.chinnock@motisco.com