“CONVERGE” is CNBC’s new platform, exploring growth opportunities at the intersection of investment, innovation, sustainability and leadership with the help of the world’s most influential leaders.

To start, CNBC spoke with five figures who are using their influence to drive change.

Investing in the next generation of leaders, music legend Nile Rodgers and business magnate Sir Richard Branson recently announced a partnership between their respective charities. “We believe the young people of the world are the leaders of tomorrow,” Rodgers told CNBC.
Artificial intelligence is laying the foundation for innovation in all sectors. But in addition to excitement, there are also concerns. “We must understand that we are on the path to building machines that have most of the cognitive abilities of humans, and intelligence gives power. So who is going to control that power? asked one of the so-called “godfathers of AI,” Yoshua Bengio.
Fashion designer Stella McCartney has been a pioneer in sustainability in fashion since the late 90s. Despite this, the businesswoman said she was disappointed by the lack of progress within the industry. “We will only see a real difference if people can also build businesses working this way,” McCartney said.
Sir Bob Geldof rose to fame in the late ’70s with his band Boomtown Rats, but he is equally known for his activism. Speaking about the importance of leadership, Geldof told CNBC: “It is the ability to formulate coherent policies and then implement them for better or worse.”
Watch the video above to learn more from these pioneering leaders in business and entertainment.