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How can energy and utility companies move from AI experimentation to real-world, mission-critical value?
In this episode of Energy Transition Talks, host Peter Warren is joined by Peter Barnes, Solution Director for CGI OpenGrid, to explore how generative AI, agentic AI and multimodal AI are transforming utility operations, grid management, asset management and field work.
Drawing on more than 35 years of utility industry experience, Peter Barnes explains why scaling AI across critical infrastructure requires more than powerful technology. Success depends on combining AI innovation with deep utility domain expertise, trusted operational data, security, governance and human oversight.
The conversation explores how utilities can move beyond traditional software interfaces toward natural-language, AI-enabled experiences; connect field teams with operational intelligence from SCADA, ADMS and OMS systems; and use AI agents, smart wearables and mixed reality to make complex information and proven expertise more accessible across the organization.
📌 In this episode:
• From AI pilots to operational value: How utilities can scale AI safely in regulated, mission-critical environments.
• Generative and agentic AI in utilities: How AI agents can simplify workflows, automate repetitive tasks and help employees interact with complex operational systems.
• AI-powered field operations: How multimodal AI, smart wearables and mixed reality can bring real-time information and expert knowledge directly to field teams.
• The headless enterprise experience: Moving beyond forms, screens and tables toward conversational interfaces for inspections, feeder analysis, work orders and other utility workflows.
• AI governance and grounded innovation: Why domain expertise, security, trusted data and governance are essential when applying AI to critical infrastructure.
• Human expertise + AI: How AI can augment utility professionals, accelerate decision-making and make decades of operational knowledge more accessible.
🎙️ Featured speakers
Host: Peter Warren
Guest: Peter Barnes, Solution Director for CGI OpenGrid
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Energy Transition Talks podcast series:
https://www.cgi.com/en/energy-utilities/energy-transition-talks-podcast-series
CGI Energy & Utilities:
https://www.cgi.com/en/energy-utilities
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