By Alex Smith |
AI and digitalisation were central themes at the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition & Conference (ADIPEC) 2025, as global energy, technology and finance leaders highlighted the need for strategic investment to scale innovation and accelerate progress in the energy transition.
Under the theme ‘The Technology Leap: Redefining Energy Leadership’, discussions focused on AI’s role in enhancing efficiency, resilience and sustainability, while balancing its potential impact on energy demand.
“AI is not a side project,” said Dean Watson, CEO of energy solution provider Enersol. “It’s going to be part of your core operating model. And I think, ultimately, it’s probably the biggest change management initiative that we have faced in our industry. And I think it needs real deliberate planning and focus from the top down.”
The expanded AI Zone and new Digitalisation & AI Strategic Conference programme highlighted how AI is impacting energy systems.
“The AI revolution in data centres has awakened the energy industry to this phenomenon – people are open to new ideas,” said Jack Hidary, CEO of software firm SandboxAQ. “Just here at ADIPEC this year, I’ve had a very different set of conversations than I had just last year. In just one year, we’ve seen many of the largest hydrocarbon companies come to us asking, ‘How do we embrace AI for the physical world?’.”
Conference sessions emphasised the need for coordinated action across sectors, aligning innovation with investment, and designing scalable systems that can adapt to changing demand and market forces.
“We can improve safety, we can improve productivity, while preserving physical and mental health,” said Olivier Oullier, founder and CEO of French AI startup Inclusive Brains. “It’s never been the case. We can tailor the work experience to not only who people are, but who and how they feel. Responsible AI is using the most advanced and rigorous science to turn it into tech that has positive impact.”
Discussions also addressed the transformation of the energy workforce in response to AI and digital technologies. Dr Guy Diedrich, chief innovation officer at Cisco, said: “Right now, 92 million jobs over the next three years are going to be displaced because of technology. But at the same time, 170 million new jobs are going to be created, and they’re going to require new skills. It’s up to us to retrain those 92 million and train the other 80 million net new job seekers for the next-generation jobs.”
The AI Zone returned in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, offering a space for technology companies to connect with energy producers and investors. Visitors explored areas such as The Intelligence Grid, Talent Hub, Values Room and Data Visualisation, engaging with live simulations, visual data, and discussions on AI’s impact on systems, skills and sustainability.
Among the technologies on display were the Mohammed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence’s robot dog Laika, demonstrating AI-powered mobility and reasoning; G42’s Project Stargate, the UAE’s hyperscale AI computing initiative; and Accenture’s ‘Refinery of the Future’, simulating complex operational and data flows. Other exhibitors, including AREONEX, GeoCruiser, CleanConnect.AI and Senergetics, showcased solutions such as oilfield monitoring drones and AI-powered platforms.
Mohammed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence’s robot dog Laika was on display at the AI Zone