Artificial Intelligence Is Improving Energy Companies — Not Replacing Workers

Source: Ken Silverstein · FORBES · | July 12, 2021

Source: Abbreviation is Artificial Intelligence on a digital globe background. Machine learning concept. 3D Rendering GETTY

A power plant that will run on “artificial intelligence” is about to get underway in West Africa. The joint venture between Swiss-based Xcell Security House and Finance and U.S.-based Beyond Limits will embed intelligence and awareness into the operations — something that will create more efficiencies, greater productivity, and increased environmental protections. 

When ordinary people hear about artificial intelligence — AI for short — they immediately think about how machines will replace humans. But as the experts explained to this reporter, AI is meant to eliminate “mundane activities” so that those running heavy industrial operations can solve problems and improve performance, which translates into healthier bottom lines.

“Nothing we build is designed to replace a person,” says Michael Krause, senior manager for oil and gas at Beyond Limits. “People need to make decisions. But AI can remove that mundane component of their work and allow managers to focus on the value-added part.” 

Krause likens the exercise to a chess match: There are millions of potential strategies for humans to pursue — each one a function of intelligence and experience. But AI will provide the context so that better decisions are made. In other words, the machines will play millions of games and memorize all potential patterns — something that people cannot do. An algorithm is created that incorporates the data and that is updated in real-time. 

In the case of Xcell, humans can make adjustments to improve efficiencies. But they have limits. AI, by contrast, can monitor an entire system and account for all variables. As for power plants, the technology can help managers balance supply and demand issues, maintain their plants, and improve safety measures. When AI’s algorithms are combined with cloud computing and high-speed 5G networks, the true potential is realized: companies will have a holistic view that leverages the data, giving them a competitive advantage.