Intelligent Energy

Navigating change in energy & chemicals: Prepare for what's next

Intelligent energy: How GenAI is driving growth, efficiency, and strategic transformation across the energy sector

The energy sector is undergoing a profound transformation. From generation to distribution, intelligent systems are reshaping how energy is managed—maximizing efficiency, minimizing waste, and responding dynamically to real-time demand. Standing still is no longer an option. Customers, regulators, and partners expect intelligent, sustainable energy systems, and the industry must act boldly to meet those expectations. By 2030, today’s energy businesses will look radically different, and navigating this shift will require flexibility, foresight, and the courage to lead through uncertainty.

Discover the pivotal insights from our latest survey, revealing how AI can empower your workforce, streamline operations, and drive growth. Stay competitive and lead the next generation of retail by integrating AI deeply into your business. Download the full report and start your transformation journey today.

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Facing a combination of increasing operational costs and heightened investor expectations for financial discipline, energy companies are navigating significant market pressures right now. This convergence of challenges presents an inflection point where AI can deliver transformative value to the industry. AI implementation offers the potential to not only drive operational efficiencies but also unlock previously inaccessible growth opportunities that emerging technologies now make possible.

Angie Gildea

KPMG U.S. Sector Leader for Energy

From pressure to possibility: Why AI In energy Is the catalyst for change

Energy companies today face a complex landscape—rising costs, sustainability goals, aging infrastructure, rigid operating models, and strict governance requirements. To thrive in this environment, organizations must embrace AI not as a bolt-on solution, but as a foundational force for transformation. Success depends on a strategic approach that activates AI across three critical layers: enterprise, functions, and foundations.

Enterprise: Orchestrating Strategic Transformation

Align AI with business strategy, operating models, and workforce evolution
Establish a transformation office to manage funding, track benefits, and adjust priorities
Drive enterprise-wide change with a dynamic, value-focused roadmap

Functions: Embedding Intelligence into Workflows

Prioritize customer-facing value streams and end-to-end processes
Integrate AI agents, applications, and robotics directly into daily operations
Redesign functional models to unlock measurable performance gains

Foundations: Powering AI with Scalable Infrastructure

Build an AI-first tech stack with cloud, hybrid platforms, and curated data
Deploy domain-specific models to support intelligent agents
Strengthen cybersecurity and prepare for emerging technologies

Establishing an AI Center of Excellence is key to aligning strategy, orchestrating value, and scaling impact across all layers. With the right structure, standards, and collaboration, energy companies can unlock enterprise-wide transformation and lead the future of intelligent energy.

KPMG surveyed 163 senior executives across eight countries to understand how energy leaders are preparing for AI-driven transformation. The report reveals a clear picture of AI strategy, investment, and implementation across mid-to-large energy companies and the actions they’re taking to future-proof their organizations.

Key findings at a glance

Key findings are highlighted below. Detailed findings are available in the full report.

AI experimentation rising: energy companies are balancing operational performance with environmental impact to drive innovation

Energy must overcome strategic barriers for AI adoption

Percentage who say their organization has faced the following challenges when integrating AI

U.S. energy companies are ramping up AI investments to scale impact and accelerate innovation.

The journey to becoming an intelligent tech enterprise involves three critical phases: Enable, Embed, and Evolve.

Explore how leading energy companies are creating value with AI—enhancing operations, overcoming regulatory and cybersecurity challenges, and scaling intelligence across the enterprise.

Top 10 areas of opportunity: Energy

Explore our insights on how space-based technologies are revolutionizing the energy sector, from solar power harvested in orbit to quantum-enhanced energy security. Learn how forward-thinking leaders are leveraging space to drive sustainability, unlock new markets, and future-proof their operations.

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Unlocking AI potential: GenAI sector value reports

"The intelligent enterprise: A blueprint for creating value through AI-driven transformation" reports provide a detailed guide for organizations to implement AI, optimize operations, and enhance market impact. Released in a series, the reports will cover eight critical industry sectors and outline a three-phase AI transformation process: Enable, Embed, and Evolve. Insights stem from in-depth interviews with AI experts, sector-specific KPMG professionals, and a survey of 1,390 decision-makers across eight global markets, including Australia, China, Germany, the UK, Canada, France, Japan, and the US. This research offers actionable strategies tailored to each industry sector.