Schneider Electric CEO Olivier Blum’s Vision for the Future

CEO Olivier Blum has opened Schneider Electric’s Global Innovation Summit in Copenhagen by setting the tone for the company's technology and sustainability agenda.

Addressing global business leaders, policymakers, employees and industry leaders, including 600 C-level executives, Olivier began with a clear statement of intent: “Energy, digital technology and geopolitics are reshaping the systems that power our lives. The challenges are complex, but the opportunities are extraordinary.”

He told guests: “A lot of things are changing in the world, but one thing that shouldn’t change is the profound commitment we should all have to the energy and climate transitions.

“Preparing a better future for the next generation is our collective responsibility.”

In his first keynote as Schneider Electric CEO, Olivier discussed how the company is spearheading energy and sustainable transformation against the backdrop of an evolving industry. 

He said: “Everything we care about, our planet, our people and technology, depends on energy. 

“But today, energy must do more. It must empower us to innovate, compete and to create a future that’s sustainable and resilient. Schneider Electric is your energy technology partner. We electrify, automate and digitalise every industry, business and home, driving efficiency and sustainability for all.” 

Setting a bold vision for the future

Olivier described Schneider Electric’s role as one of convergence, combining electrification, automation and digital intelligence. 

“We invent the technology that makes the new energy landscape possible – enabling buildings, data centres, factories, plants, infrastructure and grids to operate as open, software-defined systems,” he said.

With headquarters in France and global operations, Schneider Electric has long been at the forefront of energy and technology, leading the convergence of electrification, automation and digital intelligence into an offering it defines as ‘energy technology’.

The company integrates real-time energy and automation control with scalable software and services across every sector, including buildings, data centres, factories, plants, grids and infrastructure. 

Its EcoStruxure platform embeds intelligence at every level, simplifying complexity, enabling more efficient operations and helping customers unlock the full value of energy and resources. 

In particular, the company positions AI as a cornerstone of the energy transition, seeing it not as a bolt-on, but as a deeply integrated capability that supports its entire strategy.

Schneider leads urgent change

Citing an expected 60% increase in global power needs over the next 15 years, Olivier stressed the urgency of Schneider Electric’s work. 

Increased global change, he said, is not just a challenge, but an opportunity for the industry to lead change. 

He explained: “We cannot just react to these changes. We have to lead. At Schneider Electric, our goal is to help our partners, our customers, and our industry not just adapt, but thrive in this new era.”

Olivier explained how Schneider Electric is actively delivering new and innovative technologies that are enabling the future energy landscape. “This isn’t new for us,” he told attendees. “It’s a commitment built on nearly two centuries of innovation, partnership and impact.”

He highlighted how this approach is delivering measurable change, including through key partnerships with Nvidia to transform data centre innovation, work with water treatment company Acciona and how Schneider Electric is collaborating with consultancy Sidara to develop more energy-efficient buildings.

Setting his vision for the future, Olivier underscored the need for developing ecosystems that support co-creation – crucial, he said, for accelerating progress. 

“The challenges ahead are bigger than any one company or industry,” he said. “It’s partnership and connection that unlock the full field of possibilities.” 

He predicted a future where energy is not just available, but intelligent, where homes and industries generate more than they consume, and where infrastructure adapts in real time.

He stressed: “The future isn’t something we are waiting for. It’s something we build. Let’s build it together.”

AI integration spans strategy, systems and services

At the event, Schneider Electric’s leaders discussed the operational shift towards software-defined environments, with AI embedded across internal functions and customer solutions.

Philippe Rambach, Chief AI Officer at Schneider Electric, showed how AI is critical to overcoming environmental complexity. 

“I believe that energy transition, sustainability and carbon reduction will simply not happen without AI,” he said. “There is too much data, too much complexity and too many parameters.”

Schneider applies AI in three core areas: internal productivity, product augmentation and new value creation. 

To support its AI ambitions, the company launched an AI Hub in 2021, with a remit to build expertise, apply governance and work across business units to scale data science practices. 

The hub plays a central role in embedding AI responsibly and strategically across operations.

The Copenhagen event also featured senior Schneider leaders explaining how the company is aligning its technology roadmap with its sustainability agenda. 

Gina Li, Vice President for Business Development & Inorganic Growth, said: “The question of how to power AI with more efficient and sustainable energy is a global priority.

“At Schneider Electric, we are driving innovation to create a world that is more electrified, automated and digitised.”

Discussing his keynote on LinkedIn, Olivier said: “We’re unlocking new possibilities, simplifying complexity, and delivering real impact for our customers, our communities, and our planet.

“No matter your background, industry, or ambition, we invite you to join us. Partner with us. Innovate with us. Let’s shape a more efficient and sustainable world - together.