Marisa Cacc

The Canadian-Australian Chamber of Commerce's latest Energy Luncheon held in Perth on the 7th of August brought together industry leaders to discuss critical developments in energy. We discussed the energy transition, the complexities of renewable integration, and the challenges of policy alignment between governments. PICTURED (left to right): Kelvin Koay (Vice President, Growth Australia - TransAlta Energy (Australia)), Robert Millard ( Managing Director & Vice President - Australia - TransAlta Energy (Australia)), John Kousinioris (CEO - TransAlta), Noel Ryan (Assistant Coordinator, Market Development and Coordination - DEMIRS), Brendan Clark (Managing Partner - International - MinterEllison and CACC Director), Mel Wharton (CEO - CACC), and Amanda Frodsham (Group Manager, Finance and Corporate Administration - TransAlta Energy (Australia))  A Shift Away from Coal The global trend toward phasing out coal was a central point of discussion. Speakers reflected on how, just eight years ago, some Canadian companies were responsible for significant portions of the country's emissions due to coal-powered plants. The transition away from coal has been dramatic, with emissions dropping by 30 megatons annually for some companies after shutting down or converting coal plants to natural gas. Despite these advances, achieving Canada's Paris Agreement commitments remains a challenge, with concerns that the country is unlikely to meet its 2030 targets. The Economics of Renewables and Energy Storage The cost of renewables—especially wind—has risen significantly. This has affected investment confidence, with some projects experiencing delays or cancellations due to financial and policy uncertainties. While there is optimism that storage solutions will eventually become more cost-effective, current high prices and inefficiencies have slowed down. Our guests stressed that policy clarity and market redesign are essential to reignite investor confidence. "Three-Legged" Energy Transition: Reliability, Affordability, and Clean Energy A recurring theme was the need to balance the "three-legged stool" of energy, which must be...

The dynamic world of customer experience (CX) is being reshaped by the advancements in artificial intelligence (AI). McKinsey's latest State of AI report reveals that over half of businesses are now dedicating more than 5% of their digital budgets to AI initiatives, with ChatGPT standing out as a notable platform capturing significant market interest. PICTURED (left to right): The Honourable Scott Ryan (Australian High Commissioner to Canada) and John Roberts (Associate Deputy Minister and Chief Data Officer of Ontario) Canadian Australian Chamber of Commerce’s (CACC) recent panel discussion in Toronto on May 28, 2024, hosted by corporate partner KPMG, on Generative AI (Gen AI) and its impact on CX brought together experts to dive into this transformative technology. Melissa Wharton, CEO of CACC, opened the session with her welcome remarks. The event kicked off with remarks from The Honourable Scott Ryan, Australian High Commissioner to Canada, who underscored the importance of Canadian-Australian collaboration on policy, practices, and privacy as it relates to the emerging AI landscape. John Roberts, Associate Deputy Minister and Chief Data Officer of Ontario, followed with insights on the critical role of data management and privacy in the AI landscape, highlighting the need for robust governance to ensure ethical AI practices. PICTURED (left to right): Chitra Sridar (Head of Services for KPMG’s Data & Analytics Centre of Excellence), Isaac De Souza (Artificial Intelligence & Emerging Technology Risk Officer - BMO), Amol Shah (General Manager, Americas Data & AI - Microsoft Canada), and Alexis Zamkow (Intelligent Marketing Global Offering Leader - IBM) Smita Challu Tulsani, Co-Chair of the CACC Ontario Committee, introduced the panel and moderator. The diverse panel featured industry leaders: Alexis Zamkow, Intelligent Marketing Global Offering Leader from IBM, Isaac De Souza, Artificial Intelligence & Emerging Technology Risk Officer from BMO, and Amol Shah, General Manager,...