What an incredible day at the Extreme Tech Challenge AI & Energy Innovation Summit at Playground Global, bringing together over 100 leaders from AI, semiconductors, and energy to explore one of the defining questions of our time: How do we power the AI revolution sustainably?
From Tadao Yanase (NTT) keynote, to deep conversations with Aart de Geus (Synopsys Inc), Jerry Hsiao (Foxconn), Sundeep Bajikar (Applied Materials), Sasha Ostojic, Rene Haas (Arm), Puneet Kumar (Rivos Inc.), Francis Ho (Walden Catalyst Ventures), Mei-Jung Chen, Aaron Fulkerson, Charles Alpert, Neel Sundaresan, Brian D., Sunghyun Park, and many others. The message was clear:
Meeting AI’s energy challenge will require collaboration across the full stack, from materials science and chip design to grid innovation and power electronics.
A special recognition to Karin Schmid, Co-Chair of this event, whose deep expertise in energy systems and infrastructure helped shape this year’s program and connect the worlds of energy and AI, ensuring the conversations throughout the day were both technically deep and strategically aligned.
We also featured startup showcases highlighting entrepreneurs tackling both sides of the energy equation, companies developing breakthrough solutions in energy generation, storage, and efficiency for the AI era.
A special thank-you to our Extreme Tech Challenge (XTC) partners and speakers, to Playground Global for hosting, and to all the startups who shared solutions for a more energy-efficient future.
XTC was founded in 2015 with Bill Tai to help entrepreneurs use technology as a force for good, a mission that’s more relevant than ever. In 2026, we’ll expand that mission with new programs and events in partnership with @Noorsken (Stockholm), Speedinvest (Austria), ITFarm (Japan), and our partners across Korea and the US, continuing to support purpose-driven founders everywhere.
Thank you to everyone who joined us and to those helping build a future where innovation and sustainability move forward together.
#AI #Sustainability #EnergyTransition #DeepTech #ExtremeTechChallenge #WaldenCatalyst #InnovationForGood
with: Karin Schmid Amperesand Rebellions John Martin Shail Rajan Amandine Rouillard Walden Catalyst Ventures Lars Reger Georg Kopetz Kendra Perlitz Jasmine J. Sarah Beresford