The technological landscape is evolving at an unprecedented pace, reshaping industries and redefining growth strategies. From artificial intelligence to roboticsand from energy solutions to healthcare innovationsthe impact of these advancements is profound. At Morgan Stanley’s 2026 Innovation & Impact Summit, industry leaders and investors delved into how these technologies are driving change and creating new opportunities.
Jessica Alsford, Morgan Stanley Chief Sustainability Officer and Co-Head of the Morgan Stanley Institute, emphasized the central role of innovation and sustainability in capital allocation and corporate strategy. The summit highlighted key areas undergoing transformation, offering insights into the future of various sectors.
Robotics: A Catalyst for U.S. Manufacturing Revival
The integration of artificial intelligence into the physical world is making robotics more prevalent in daily life. However, the U.S. faces a strategic challenge as most robots used domestically are manufactured overseas, particularly in China. By 2026, China accounted for 54% of the world’s new industrial robot installations, and last year, roughly 90% of humanoid robots shipped globally came from China.
Evan Beard, Founder and CEO of Standard Bots, stressed the importance of building a stronger domestic robotics ecosystem. He noted that this technology presents a unique opportunity for the U.S. to rebuild its manufacturing base and supply chain, enhancing competitiveness. Standard Bots is at the forefront of developing robots designed to make automation more accessible for manufacturers.
Energy Solutions to Support AI Growth
The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence is placing unprecedented demands on energy infrastructure. This surge is driving innovation in power generation and delivery. KR Sridhar, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Bloom Energy, highlighted the growing AI power crisis and the need for a fundamental rethinking of energy systems. Bloom Energy’s fuel-cell systems aim to provide faster deployment, grid-independent reliability, and cleaner energy generation for data centers and other large-scale users.
John Ketchum, Chairman, President, and CEO of NextEra Energy, discussed the evolving relationship between utilities and technology companies. The surge in data center demand is reshaping these dynamics, requiring early capital deployment and integrated energy solutions that combine renewables, natural gas, storage, and nuclear power. Ketchum emphasized the importance of supply chain lock-in, labor contracting, and interest-rate hedging to enable cost control and execution certainty.
Electric Aviation: Scaling New Heights
The aviation industry is exploring electric aviation as a potential solution to reduce operating costs, with jet fuel representing one of the largest expenses. Vermont-based Beta Technologies is accelerating the commercialization of electric aircraft for both vertical and conventional takeoff. The company is investing in enabling technologies, including charging infrastructure, systems, and services, to make electric aviation viable.
Herman Cueto, Chief Financial Officer of Beta Technologies, highlighted the growing commercial traction and substantial aircraft order backlog. The company is seeing rising demand for components and services, indicating a promising future for electric aviation.
Addressing Water Scarcity with Innovative Technologies
Water security is emerging as one of the world’s most pressing long-term infrastructure challenges. More than 3 billion people currently face water stress globally, a figure that could rise significantly by 2050. AI and data centers are becoming major new sources of water demand, with data center water consumption projected to rival the combined populations of London, New York, and Los Angeles by 2050.
Emmanuelle Menning, Deputy CEO Finance & Germany BU at Veolia, and Cheryl Norton, Executive Vice President and COO of American Water, discussed the need for investment in water reuse, desalination, and leak-reduction technologies. They highlighted regulatory reforms and industry consolidation as potential drivers of increased investment and operational efficiency in the fragmented U.S. water sector.
The Evolution of Investing in a Volatile Market
Global investors at the summit discussed how investing strategies are evolving amid heightened market volatility, geopolitical tensions, and changing regulatory environments. One asset owner highlighted the contemporary challenges and opportunities facing the growth of sustainable investing, requiring asset managers to be more thoughtful in strategy development and execution.
John Rogers, Jr., Chairman and Co-CEO of Ariel Investments, emphasized the importance of resisting short-term market volatility and maintaining focus on long-term principles. He reinforced that mission-driven culture and diversity continue to be sources of durable competitive advantage, making companies stronger and more attractive to communities, young people, and talent.
Financing Longevity and Healthcare Innovations
As Americans live longer, pressure is increasing on both public retirement systems and individual retirement preparedness. TIAA, a financial firm providing retirement services, noted that approximately 45% of Americans could face retirement income shortfalls, with even greater challenges for women and people of color. Thasunda Brown Duckett, President and CEO of TIAA, emphasized the need for private markets, the financial ecosystem, and policymakers to work together to address this structural issue.
Technology and AI are also transforming healthcare delivery, patient engagement, and treatment outcomes. Dr. John D’Angelo, President and CEO of Northwell Health, highlighted the mounting capacity pressures in the U.S. healthcare system as the population ages and demand for care rises. He pointed to AI applications in imaging, diagnostics, and advances in biomedicine as key areas driving change. D’Angelo emphasized the importance of using technology to address chronic disease through preventative care, including wearables and data-driven health monitoring.
Vardit Ravitsky, President and CEO of The Hastings Center for Bioethics and Senior Lecturer on Global Health and Social Medicine at Harvard Medical School, stressed the need for guardrails that support innovation while prioritizing patient safety. She noted that the adoption of AI in healthcare cannot be subjected to a race for dominance, as health risks must be carefully managed.
