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[SITUATION] · [QUIET] · [TECHNOLOGY]

2 clusters · 6 sources · 24 days · First seen · Last updated

AI adoption in engineering and utility sectors

Overview

The offshore energy and utility sectors are transitioning from using artificial intelligence for information and decision support toward the implementation of agentic AI capable of executing autonomous actions. In the offshore energy industry, companies such as Petronas, ADNOC, and SLB are deploying platforms that can reduce engineering effort and prevent downtime, while ExxonMobil and Woodside are utilizing autonomous drilling and remote subsea inspection.

As these technologies move toward decision autonomy in utilities and geotechnical engineering, the focus has shifted toward the risks associated with delegating authority. Industry experts emphasize the need for accountability, cybersecurity, and fallback mechanisms. To manage these risks, experts suggest implementing an ‘authority budget’—a predefined limit on the power an AI system can exercise before human intervention is required—to ensure that engineering judgment and professional responsibility remain central to safe and reliable operations.

Entities

Petronas · SLB · Arup

Timeline

  1. [TECHNOLOGY] 2 sources
    AI adoption in engineering and utilities shifts toward decision autonomy

    Engineering and utility sectors are transitioning from using AI for decision support to debating the limits of decision autonomy, focusing on accountability, safety, and professional oversight.

  2. [TECHNOLOGY] 4 sources
    Offshore energy sector adopts agentic AI for autonomous operations

    Offshore energy companies are adopting agentic AI to automate drilling and inspections, prompting calls for ‘authority budgets’ to manage risks when AI moves from recommendation to execution.

Sources

energycentral.com · genengnews.com · geplus.co.uk · newswise.com · offshore-mag.com · trendhunter.com