AI can create value in refining
Industrial AI and our energy future
The energy industry has lagged in adopting AI, but industrial AI could create value through predictive maintenance and optimisation
The success of energy companies is becoming more complex, with the dual challenge of supplying the world’s growing demand while achieving the planet’s need for increased sustainability. Digital technology, particularly AI, is becoming crucial to navigating this complexity and the marketplace’s volatility. 22pc of respondents in a 2020 survey from consulting firm McKinsey report at least 5pc of earnings before interest and taxes (Ebit) attributable to AI. In the manufacturing (process and discrete) sector, 15pc of the AI use cases are in the areas of energy and yield optimisation, and another 12pc in predictive maintenance. But almost every analysis shows that the energy industry is a laggard
Also in this section
9 January 2026
OPEC+ remains on track as output falls, with only Gabon failing to hit its output targets in December, although Kazakhstan’s compliance was involuntary
9 January 2026
The Latin American producer’s crude prospects rely on a multi-pronged approach where even the relatively easy wins will take considerable time, effort and cost
9 January 2026
While many forecasters are reasserting the importance of oil and gas, petrostates should be under no illusion things are changing, and faster than they might think
8 January 2026
Indonesia and Malaysia are at the dawn of breathtaking digital capabilities. Their energy infrastructure must keep up with their ambitions
