The Need and Benefits of Industrial-Academic Collaborations

At a Collaboration Spotlight panel discussion held at CERAWeek 2025, industry leaders and experts convened to explore the opportunities for partnership between academia and industry. Moderated by S&P Global's Antonia Bullard, the panel featured Matthew Kerner, Corporate Vice President of Microsoft Cloud for Industry; Jon Sobel, Co-Founder and CEO of Sight Machine; and Geoffrey Parker, Faculty Director of the Irving Institute at Dartmouth. The conversation centered on how data and artificial intelligence can transform manufacturing processes, enhance efficiency, and contribute to sustainability.

Jon Sobel shed light on how Sight Machine leverages data and AI to improve factory efficiencies, processing anywhere from 10,000 to 100,000 data points per second to facilitate quality enhancement, capacity maximization, and resource conservation. This collaborative approach has garnered support from Microsoft, which aids in technical support for industrial clients seeking to optimize their operations. Kerner emphasized the importance of partnering with verticals that have depth, allowing Microsoft to address specific challenges faced by its clients while supporting their growth. He shared the example of the Northern Lights project, a joint venture with Shell to capture carbon at hard-to-abate sites, demonstrating the complexities and value chains tackled through such collaborations.

Geoff Parker contributed to the discussion by highlighting the governance and ecosystem dynamics necessary for successful partnerships. He noted that while many organizations are eager to collaborate, a significant percentage of partnerships fail to materialize effectively. Sobel reinforced this sentiment, emphasizing that the right mindset and a cooperative spirit are essential for making collaborations work. The panelists acknowledged the interoperability challenges within industries—specifically the need for structured data to enhance operational efficiencies. They argued that by systematically addressing data issues, companies can unlock substantial opportunities for applying AI across manufacturing processes.

The conversation also turned to the practicalities of collaboration, particularly concerning intellectual property and the structuring of partnership agreements. Sobel explained that a collaborative spirit can expedite negotiations, while Kerner advocated for public sector support to sustain the competitive edge of American industries. As the session concluded, the panelists agreed on the importance of ongoing cooperation between corporate entities and academic institutions, emphasizing that such partnerships are vital for fostering innovation and advancing manufacturing capabilities in an increasingly complex landscape. Their insights underscored that collaborative efforts not only drive technological advancements but also contribute significantly to the sustainability and efficiency of the manufacturing sector.

CERAWeek is regarded as one of the most influential annual conferences in the energy sector, drawing nearly 10,000 executives, policymakers, investors, entrepreneurs, and scientists from around the globe. Attendees engaged in a week filled with hundreds of discussions, covering topics such as domestic energy production, the influence of AI on energy systems, the rapid deployment of solar energy, the evolving policy landscape, and pioneering carbon capture technologies.

The Irving Institute brought 25 delegates who actively networked with industry leaders and exchanged ideas. Our faculty, staff, and affiliated startups delivered over two dozen presentations throughout the week.

Read about Dartmouth's engagement at CERAWeek 2025

Read more about Professor Geoff Parker's CERAWeek panel discussions:

• Science, Innovation, & Public Policy: Solving for a Sustainable Future
• AI and the Future of Work