Abu Dhabi:AI investment and adoption are rapidly increasing within the global energy industry, with leaders recognizing its potential to enhance energy reliability and resilience.
According to Emirates News Agency, the third annual Powering Possible report, titled "Energy Resilience in the Intelligence Era," indicates a shift from AI experimentation to implementation, with 62% of energy leaders now ranking AI among their top two corporate priorities. This marks an increase from 42% in 2025. The report also highlights that the adoption of agentic AI has more than doubled over the past year.
The report reveals that nearly 89% of respondents have increased AI spending, with 63% expecting returns on their investments to cover or exceed costs. However, challenges remain, as 74% of leaders anticipate AI will increase energy consumption by 2030, yet only 52% are confident in the existing infrastructure's ability to meet the additional demand.
Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, ADNOC Managing Director and Group CEO, emphasized the opportunities AI presents for the energy industry, noting its role in driving value and improving safety and reliability. Similarly, Microsoft’s Brad Smith highlighted the need for strong governance and investment in skills to ensure AI delivers lasting value in the energy sector.
The report is based on a survey of nearly 400 senior energy and finance leaders, showing that AI is moving from pilot projects to everyday operations. The share of organizations deploying integrated agentic AI workflows has doubled, while the focus on cost savings as AI's leading contribution has decreased.
As AI expands, infrastructure requirements grow, with grid modernization and energy storage being top investment priorities. Confidence in infrastructure's capability to meet AI-driven demand varies by region, with higher confidence in Brazil and India compared to the United States and the United Kingdom.
The findings call for synchronized advancements in energy and digital infrastructure, supported by cybersecurity and a skilled workforce, to ensure AI can be deployed safely and reliably. The Powering Possible 2026 report is published ahead of the ENACT Majlis and ADIPEC 2026 in Abu Dhabi.