Artificial intelligence (AI) is often portrayed as a replacement for human work. In reality, when designed thoughtfully, AI serves a very different role in the energy sector: it empowers people to work smarter, faster, and with greater confidence. For power plants and energy operators, AI decision support tools are not about replacing skilled workers—they are about enhancing judgment, improving efficiency, and bridging the knowledge gap left by an aging workforce.
The Challenge: Knowledge Gaps in the Energy Industry
For decades, power plants thrived on strong mentoring programs and long-term employees who passed their expertise on to the next generation. But as economic pressures, market changes, and retirements have reshaped the industry, many plants now find themselves operating with leaner teams and fewer training opportunities.
This has created a significant challenge: when a 20-year veteran retires, they often take with them a deep understanding of plant behavior, equipment quirks, and the subtle signs of problems developing. New employees, especially in remote locations, may not have the same support systems or time to acquire this knowledge. AI decision support can help fill that gap.
AI as a Digital Knowledge Partner
One of the most exciting developments is the creation of AI-powered platforms that ingest manuals, operating histories, and decades of plant data. Imagine a junior engineer encountering an unusual vibration in a pump. Instead of sifting through filing cabinets or scanning endless PDFs, they can ask the AI tool: What does this mean?
The tool doesn’t just provide a simple answer—it shows the reference sources, schematics, and historical patterns that support its recommendation. This makes the AI not only a guide but also a transparent partner, giving engineers confidence in the information and allowing them to verify it.
Human Judgment Comes First
AI is powerful, but it doesn’t make decisions on its own. Operators and engineers remain the ultimate decision-makers. The AI tool presents the data, explains its reasoning, and points to the evidence, but it is up to a person to determine whether to act, involve a plant manager, or prioritize safety concerns.
This transparency builds trust. Workers can see exactly how the AI reached its conclusion, making it easier to use as a decision support tool rather than a “black box” that dictates next steps.
Improving Efficiency and Confidence
The impact of AI in the energy industry is not dramatic automation—it’s about the small, consistent improvements that make plants more efficient. For example:
- A plant may discover that by adjusting operating conditions, they can achieve a 1–2% efficiency gain. When scaled across our entire grid, the implications are massive.
- Gecko’s predictive maintenance platform leverages advanced robotics and AI to continuously monitor equipment’s health, enabling the early detection of issues that traditional schedules might miss. Cantilever’s integration of thermal imaging and multispectral scans allows it to identify emerging faults and inefficiencies, so operators can address unscheduled maintenance needs proactively and with minimal disruption.
Supporting the Workforce of Tomorrow
For younger employees entering the industry, AI decision support is an invaluable training partner. It accelerates their learning curve, providing real-time explanations and context that would otherwise take years to acquire. For seasoned engineers, it reduces manual data analysis, freeing them to focus on strategy, leadership, and higher-value problem-solving.
In an era where fewer people are pursuing careers in power generation, this kind of support is critical. It ensures that plants can continue to run safely and efficiently.
AI Tools in Action
NAES is leading the industry’s digital transformation by deploying advanced AI-powered solutions from Gecko Robotics and utilizing platforms like Cantilever and Glean. These tools help teams optimize plant performance, predict maintenance needs, and access critical expertise instantly. Gecko’s StratoSight technology combines robotics, drones, and advanced sensors to continuously monitor infrastructure health and detect early anomalies.
By integrating these smart systems into daily operations, NAES empowers its workforce to bridge knowledge gaps, enhance reliability, and meet the evolving demands of the energy sector. In short, AI isn’t replacing people—it’s empowering them to excel.
Listen to the full episode here and get practical insights into the future of energy, from industry insiders who are building it.
