Utilizing waste carbon at scale, assessing public trust in artificial intelligence, and building a quantum toolkit for critical applications were the core topics of the MIT Energy Initiative (MITEI) annual research conference. Institute Professor and dean of MIT School of Engineering Paula Hammond opened the event by emphasizing that the complexity of the energy transition demands a truly interdisciplinary and international approach. More than 200 scholars, industry representatives and nonprofit leaders attended in person and online.\ \ On technology deployment, Breakthrough Energy CTO Eric Toone noted that "energy is prosperity, and today prosperity comes with emissions." He highlighted iron‑air batteries and vacuum‑insulated glass as examples of zero‑carbon services that can be brought to market. A panel on nuclear revival, moderated by John Parsons, covered the Three Mile Island Unit 1 restart, EDF’s modernization of France’s 57‑reactor fleet, and GE Vernova’s light‑water reactor construction in Ontario.\ \ Carbon utilization was presented as another mitigation pathway. MITEI deputy director for science and technology Carolyn Ruppel explained that land and ocean absorb only about half of anthropogenic CO₂, leaving the rest for industrial use. Nicola Ferralis stressed large‑scale structural carbon for vehicles and buildings, Admir Masic described self‑heating concrete panels deployed in Sapporo and new concrete that stores energy, and Kripa K. Varanasi discussed making emissions‑plume capture at power plants economically viable.\ \ The startup showcase featured an AI grid‑optimization tool (Adaion), drones for solar‑farm inspection (Raptor Maps), a robot for power‑line fault detection (HiBot), and electrochemical lithium extraction from low‑grade brines (Lithios). Speakers agreed that successful ventures start with a clear customer problem that can be validated by industry users and scaled.\ \ Early‑stage research highlighted by MITEI’s Seed Innovation Fund included rare‑earth recycling algorithms, power‑plant dispatch optimization, and coupled human‑natural system models. Graduate‑student posters displayed steam electrolysis for hydrogen, end‑to‑end building decarbonization models, and hydrogen‑ and methane‑powered aircraft designs, underscoring the pipeline from fundamental science to new energy technologies.\ \ Quantum computing and sensing were addressed by Danna Freedman, who argued that the hard problem is not building quantum tools but linking them to real‑world energy applications. A companion panel showcased quantum sensing, with Paola Cappellaro describing diamond‑based sensors that detect tiny magnetic fields from battery currents without electrical contact, illustrating practical impact.\ \ Data centers and public trust emerged as cross‑cutting challenges. Deepjyoti Deka warned that AI must reduce energy use while accelerating innovation. Steve Clemmer highlighted that hyperscale AI facilities can consume more power than entire cities, leading to billions in health damages and trillions in climate costs. To mitigate community opposition, Kathryn Kline Tyndall urged early, transparent disclosure of power, water, environmental and economic impacts, while Larry Susskind advocated community‑benefit agreements that give residents a meaningful role in shaping projects. "You have to proceed at the speed of trust," he concluded.\ \ Review