CIBC InsightsEpisode 7
23 min

Economic Insights for Institutional Investors

CIBC Chief Economist, Avery Shenfeld, joins Tim Pinnell of CIBC Mellon on the CIBC Mellon Industry Perspectives podcast to discuss the current economic outlook, including the forces shaping Canada’s economy and key considerations for institutional investors and market participants as the global financial services community prepares to gather at the 2026 Sibos Conference in Miami. This podcast was recorded on August 24, 2026. Economic and market conditions can change rapidly, and the discussion reflects information and perspectives available as of the recording date.

Tim PinnellAvery Shenfeld
Featured in this episode:

Tim Pinnell, Avery Shenfeld

CIBC InsightsEpisode 6
25 min

The Gradient Ascent Podcast - Part 2: Why Enterprise AI Adoption is Still so Hard

In Part 2 of our latest Gradient Ascent Podcast conversation on building enduring AI companies, CIBC's Paul McKinlay and Daniel Lee are joined by guests George Babu and Gideon Hayden to dive into why enterprise AI adoption remains challenging. From operationalizing AI at scale to how agents are reshaping software and spend, they also explore why emerging areas like physical AI and agent security may define the next wave of innovation.

Paul McKinlayDaniel LeeGeorge BabuGideon Hayden
Featured in this episode:

Paul McKinlay, Daniel Lee, George Babu, Gideon Hayden

CIBC InsightsEpisode 5
17 min

Beneath the Surface: Canada’s Submarine Strategy

CIBC's Amber Batool and Krista Friesen discuss Canada’s next-generation submarine procurement and the broader strategy behind it. Their conversation examines how this major defence decision reflects shifting national security priorities, a faster approach to procurement and a growing focus on building long-term industrial and economic benefits in Canada.

Amber BatoolKrista Friesen
Featured in this episode:

Amber Batool, Krista Friesen

CIBC InsightsEpisode 4
17 min

The Gradient Ascent Podcast - Part 1: The Future of Canadian Startups: AI, Capital and Brain Drain

In this episode of The Gradient Ascent Podcast, CIBC’s Paul McKinlay and Daniel Lee sit down with George Babu and Gideon Hayden to explore what it takes to build enduring AI companies today, from cheaper experimentation and distributed teams to smarter go-to-market strategies. They also dig into a bigger question for Canada’s tech ecosystem: how do we keep top founders building at home when talent, capital and ambition move globally? Keep an eye out for Part 2: Why Enterprise AI Adoption Is Still So Hard, coming soon.

Paul McKinlayDaniel LeeGeorge BabuGideon Hayden
Featured in this episode:

Paul McKinlay, Daniel Lee, George Babu, Gideon Hayden

CIBC InsightsEpisode 3
19 min

The Xanadu Story: From Startup to Quantum Powerhouse

CIBC’s Colin Ryan, Managing Director and Head, Technology and Innovation, Investment Banking, sits with the CEO and founder of Xanadu Quantum Technologies, Christian Weedbrook, to discuss the journey behind Xanadu, the race to build utility-scale quantum computers, and why Canada has a unique opportunity to lead in one of the world’s most transformative technologies.

Colin RyanChristian Weedbrook
Featured in this episode:

Colin Ryan, Christian Weedbrook