The article also outlines a vision for the next five years, where vertical AI will lead to autonomous and intelligent grids, predictive maintenance, and AI-driven asset management. It stresses that successful AI adoption requires cultural and operational shifts, workforce upskilling, and overcoming resistance to change. Collaboration among utilities, technology providers, and regulators is crucial for scaling AI's impact, with shared knowledge and best practices driving broader adoption. Ultimately, the article calls for a shift from AI experimentation to execution, positioning vertical AI as the backbone of a new, intelligent energy and water ecosystem.
Key takeaways:
- Vertical AI should be integrated into everyday workflows to solve problems holistically and ensure seamless integration across customer engagement, field operations, grid assets, and service support.
- Vertical AI will enable autonomous and intelligent grids capable of self-diagnosing and self-balancing, with AI-driven decision engines dynamically balancing loads and integrating DERs, battery storage, and demand-side flexibility.
- AI adoption requires upskilling the workforce, fostering a culture of innovation, and prioritizing execution over strategy to bridge gaps across IT, operations, and customer engagement.
- Success in vertical AI implementation will come from collective intelligence, trustworthy partnerships, and sharing knowledge across utilities to drive broader adoption and real-world impact.