Driving energy transformation through innovative partnerships: Converging AI, sustainability, and policy

As the world continues to face geopolitical challenges, increasing energy demand, and the effects of climate change, it is essential for each of us to contribute to the development of resilient and equitable net-zero energy systems by harnessing the full potential of digital and AI technologies.

Through numerous discussions with senior global leaders at recent industry events, I have observed a growing shift towards collaborative partnerships across industries. These partnerships help drive adoption of digital technology, AI, and high-performance computing (HPC) technologies at scale, enabling organizations to transform their workforce, reduce emissions through decarbonization such as carbon capture and storage, and accelerate new energy projects. At the foundation of this work is the goal to ensure economic growth is fueled by equitable energy that mitigates global warming and lays the building blocks for a new energy landscape of the future.

In this time of rapid transformation, collaboration fuels progress—but it’s only part of the big picture. There’s also an opportunity to harness the capabilities of advanced data and AI solutions to drive operational efficiency and sustainability. That’s why Microsoft works with customers and partners around the world, exploring new ways to put data and AI to work with solutions like Microsoft Copilot and Azure Data Manager for Energy, helping energy companies accelerate their transition toward a more sustainable future.  

Driving progress by learning from others

One of the ways we can accelerate collaboration and knowledge-sharing is through global energy industry events where we actively connect with and learn from a diverse pool of expertise and experience. In November 2024, I was part of the Microsoft team that participated in ADIPEC, one of the largest global energy conferences and exhibitions dedicated to driving industry action toward affordable, secure, and sustainable energy for all. Throughout the course of the event, we hosted technical sessions, attended leadership roundtables, facilitated networking, and showcased numerous ways our energy customers and partners are revolutionizing the industry through digital technology and innovation.   

Another notable aspect of my trip to Abu Dhabi was attending the 2024 Biodiversity Forum. The forum emphasized leveraging AI technology for biodiversity conservation, showcasing the region’s progressive work in wildlife conservation, coral reef restoration, and mangrove initiatives. There were numerous discussions on utilizing AI and innovative technologies to drive conservation efforts, reverse biodiversity loss, and enhance ecosystem resilience.

It’s truly inspiring to witness all the ways energy and sustainability companies are using AI to drive progress and facilitate change in ways that once seemed impossible and now inspire hope—like Project Guacamaya that uses satellite images and AI models in the battle against deforestation. Microsoft partners such as Context Labs are also building innovative solutions on Microsoft Azure and delivering trusted climate data through AI-enabled platforms that empower industries with accountable carbon management solutions. Other partners like Kongsberg are leveraging Microsoft AI and cloud capabilities to create industrial AI solutions that support the growing demand for more secure, equitable, and sustainable energy.

We also continue to build and nurture strategic partnerships with joint thought leadership and strategic collaboration agreements. In the days leading up to ADIPEC, Microsoft jointly authored a report in conjunction with the ENACT Majlis event titled “Powering Possible: AI and Energy for a Sustainable Future” with our partners ADNOC and Masdar. Following the paper’s release, we announced a Strategic Collaboration Agreement outlining Microsoft’s joint efforts with ADNOC and Masdar to drive AI deployment that enhance efficiencies, decarbonizes the energy value chain, drives methane reduction initiatives, strengthens biodiversity monitoring, and accelerates the energy transition with development of renewable projects globally.

In another example of long-term, strategic partnership pursuits, Microsoft is deepening its relationship with Accenture and Avanade to develop Microsoft 365 Copilot solutions that help clients effectively implement, adopt, and scale AI technology. Repsol, a global multi-energy provider, is reaping the benefits of the partnership with a study showing that its adoption of Copilot has helped employees save significant amounts of time and enhance productivity and quality of work.

These partnerships—and the many strategic alliances we pursue—are critical to the work of accelerating the journey to a carbon-free future. At Microsoft, we believe that by closely working with the energy industry and policymakers, we can help shape the evolving energy landscape and empower individuals, support secure and equitable energy access globally, and simultaneously reduce climate impact.

Preparing for the next revolution in AI advancements

Throughout our learnings this year, we’ve seen how the AI revolution has progressed from simple automation to generative AI, and now to agentic AI. This newest evolution in AI has more advanced understanding and problem-solving capabilities, allowing it to augment human ingenuity in new and more complex ways. During the opening ceremony of ADIPEC, ADNOC unveiled ENERGYai, a sophisticated agentic AI that will be developed by AIQ in collaboration with G42 and Microsoft. These new AI agents will be designed to act autonomously and make more precise decisions for critical tasks—including seismic analysis, energy efficiency, and real-time process monitoring. AI agents are also designed to seamlessly integrate with existing workflows to unlock predictive analytics, improve decision-making processes, and increase operational efficiencies.

As we continue working with energy providers to explore new use cases for AI, we’re eager to help them achieve even greater business value with the introduction of agents in Microsoft 365 Copilot. We’re already seeing compelling examples of how an ecosystem of AI agents can supercharge productivity across all industries, and we believe the energy and resources industry has tremendous potential to benefit from the increased time savings and ability to focus on time-sensitive, high-value work. Critically, we’re also making it easy for energy companies to develop their own line-of-business agents with the user-friendly interface of Microsoft Copilot Studio, and agents developed by our ISV and SI partner ecosystem are also becoming available within the Azure Marketplace. This is just one step in our commitment to building a robust offering of AI-enabled solutions that help energy companies unlock critical insights faster, optimize value and unlock critical insights faster performance, and meet business goals.

Building a secure and connected net-zero energy landscape

As the energy industry digitally transforms and fully integrates AI into business processes, security remains Microsoft’s top priority. Our customers and partners depend on secure Microsoft solutions that help advance sustainability goals and mitigate cybersecurity attacks. In November 2023, we launched the Secure Future Initiative (SFI) to prepare for greater and more sophisticated cyberattacks. We also introduced our adaptive cloud initiative, enabling organizations to enhance their overall security posture by using cloud-native and AI technologies across various environments. This process unifies siloed teams, distributed sites, and systems within a secure AI platform for seamless operation to meet future workforce needs. Additionally, we’re using opportunities like the ADIPEC conference to showcase technology innovations like Microsoft Security Copilot and connect with customers and partners to help improve their energy security operations.

We’re also working closely with global companies like Uniper, who is using Microsoft Security Copilot to increase effectiveness and efficiency in IT security, as well as Galp Energia, who is keeping their critical energy services secure with a platform powered by the Microsoft Cloud. These are just a few examples of our collaboration with energy leaders as they look to secure the future energy supply. It’s a crucial time for the industry as AI creates enormous potential to optimize systems and reduce emissions, to build a more secure and resilient digital energy ecosystem.   

Leave no one, and no region behind in the AI revolution

Energy and sustainability challenges impact people around the world. As someone who grew up in rural parts of Malaysia, I feel immense pride witnessing Microsoft’s commitments to enhancing digital infrastructure and supporting economic growth in Southeast Asia and beyond. These efforts include building new datacenters, providing AI training, empowering underrepresented women in the tech sector, and partnering with local organizations to ultimately boost the region’s GDP by 2030. Microsoft’s mission is to empower every individual and organization on the planet to achieve more. This commitment to empowerment is not merely a slogan but is reflected in many initiatives supported by employees and the company.

I encourage you to learn more about the benefits of Microsoft’s AI training programs through these inspiring stories:

• Jidapa Nitiwirakun (Thailand): Overcame muscular dystrophy to work in human resources (HR) at Toyota Tsusho, using AI tools like Microsoft Power BI and Dall-E.
• Dr. Hasyiya Karimah Adli (Malaysia): Transitioned from solar energy research to founding a data science faculty, inspired by Microsoft’s Code; Without Barriers initiative.
• Shelin Puspa Arum (Indonesia): Used digital skills training to secure a quality control job and support her family.
• Hidayah Ibrahim (Malaysia): Moved from kindergarten teaching to an administrative role in construction, leveraging AI skills.
• Saran Hansakul (Thailand): Applied cybersecurity and AI knowledge to digitize her workplace and improve business operations.

An industry level call to action for a sustainable future, together

As we confront one of our generation’s most significant challenges—meeting growing energy demand while maintaining the planet’s average temperature below 1.5 degrees Celsius—I am inspired by the opportunities before us which far exceed these challenges if we collaborate effectively. Effectiveness and trust are essential competencies for the adoption of any new technologies across industries. Together with our customers and partners, we recognize the positive impact of AI, HPC, and quantum computing technologies in addressing real-world problems, especially those concerning complex industrial challenges, workforce productivity, sustainable new business ventures, and the protection of biodiversity. We believe the AI revolution can support energy growth that is fair and equitable while reducing climate impact and protecting biodiversity. We are already seeing organizations that are integrating AI as a core element of their digital transformation journey and aligning it with their corporate vision and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals to emerge as leaders within this dynamic energy landscape.

Explore more energy solutions and resources

• Read the Microsoft Industry Blogs: Energy and resources to learn about themes and actions critical for energy transition.
• Learn how to achieve more in the energy and resources industry with trusted data and AI solutions from Microsoft.
• Learn how Azure Data Manager for Energy can accelerate your journey to data modernization.

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Source: Microsoft Industry Blog