Energy Transition Talks

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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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In this episode of Energy Transition Talks, CGI’s Peter Warren speaks with Joyce Solomon, Data Analytics Manager for AMI at Southern Company, and Doug Leal, Vice-President, Data Analytics and AI at CGI, about how utilities can turn trusted, governed data into scalable enterprise AI value.
The conversation explores how Southern Company is using advanced metering infrastructure data, cloud-based architecture, strong data governance and business-led innovation to improve grid operations, customer engagement and AI adoption. Joyce and Doug share real-world examples, including meter-to-transformer validation, revenue recovery, EV charging insights, HVAC efficiency detection and the use of AI-ready data foundations for RAG, large language models and AI agents. 
Listeners will learn why governed data is not a barrier to innovation, but a critical accelerator for trusted analytics, scalable AI and enterprise-wide value creation in the energy and utilities sector.
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How can resilient energy, banking, and telecoms survive the next major disruption? Join CGI experts to explore the "citizen supply chain" and the future of cross-industry resilience.
In this episode of Energy Transition Talks, Peter Warren, Charley Wark, and Andy Schmidt examine the interconnected network of essential services we rely on daily. We discuss why power, payments, connectivity, and trust must recover together when systems fail.
Key Topics Covered:
The Future of Energy: Virtual power plants (VPPs), vehicle-to-grid (V2G) tech, and DERs.
Finance & Tech: Real-time systems, embedded finance, and digital identity.
Strategy: Data sovereignty and coordinated ecosystems for utilities leaders.
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Is regulatory pressure a roadblock or a catalyst for innovation? In this episode, host Peter Warren is joined by CGI's Charley Wark and Andy Schmidt to explore how the energy and utilities sector is turning compliance into a competitive advantage. Drawing insightful parallels with the banking industry, they discuss how a data-driven approach is laying the groundwork for the emerging "citizen supply chain." Tune in to discover how this cross-industry collaboration is reshaping our energy systems for a more resilient, efficient, and connected future.
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How do you turn massive data sets into measurable value while managing the inherent risks of AI? In the second part of their discussion, CGI experts Peter Warren, Global Industry Lead for Energy & Utilities, and Dr. Diane Gutiw, Global AI Research Lead, cut through the noise to tackle the critical next steps in enterprise AI adoption.
They explore the essential balance between innovation and risk, detailing why establishing clear governance and putting guardrails in place is the fastest path to long-term success. Learn how AI is enabling a "conversation with your data," helping industries like energy and utilities improve safety, predict failures, and build a resilient operational future.
In this episode, you will learn about:
The Four Pillars of AI Risk: A breakdown of the key risks in AI adoption—from bad actors and misuse to misunderstanding and the fear of missed opportunities.
Guardrails as Accelerators: Why the most successful companies are the ones implementing standards and rules for AI use, leading to more reliable and trusted results.
Unlocking IoT Data: How AI is turning data overload from industrial assets into actionable insights for predictive maintenance, fraud detection, and operational efficiency.
Conversational AI: The future of dashboards and data analysis, where leaders can "phone their data" to ask complex what-if scenarios and get immediate answers.
Real-World Impact: Practical examples of how AI is improving field safety, resource allocation, and performance in the energy and utilities industry.
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