Energy companies are increasingly leveraging artificial intelligence technology to improve the efficiency and sustainability of their operations. And it is already transforming critical functions: from lowering carbon emissions to mitigating cyber attacks and predicting mechanical failures. In the process, the technology is generating new job opportunities, for AI ethics specialists, software developers and data engineers across the sector.
She suggests the technology could help energy companies monitor and detect cyber security threats, as well, which are increasing in scale and sophistication. Amanda Ahl, grids and utilities associate at the energy transition research body Bloomberg NEF, expects AI to “play a larger role in grid design and planning”. Ahl says this “accounted for 7 per cent of AI activities in the power sector in 2023”.