Lessons from the White House: Climate, AI, and the Future
Event Summary
Join us for a wide-ranging conversation with Professor Ali Zaidi, former White House National Climate Advisor to President Biden and current Professor of Practice in the Materials Science and Engineering Department at Penn. This student-invited speaker event is co-sponsored by the Vagelos Integrated Program in Energy Research (VIPER) and Kleinman Center for Energy Policy.
Drawing on his experience leading national climate strategy, shaping major industrial policy initiatives, and working at the crossroads of technology and public service, Professor Zaidi will explore the driving forces transforming today’s energy landscape—and the challenges and opportunities they present for the next generation.
The event format will be a fireside chat, led by two VIPER student moderators, with time for audience questions at the end.
Pizza lunch will be provided!
This event is part of Energy Week at Penn. Check out the rest of the 2026 programming at energyweek.upenn.edu.
Ali Zaidi
Professor of Practice, Department of Materials Science and EngineeringAli Zaidi is the former White House National Climate Advisor to President Joe Biden and a leading architect of the Administration’s climate, energy, and industrial policy agenda. Before serving in the White House, Zaidi was New York State’s Deputy Secretary for Energy and Environment.
