Industrial AI works when the cause and the partner are right

As expected, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has made its presence loud and clear at India Energy Week 2026. A session comprising Abu Dhabi-based AI firm developing innovative solutions for the global energy sector, AIQ’s CEO Dennis Jol, and Lars Malcolm Sand, Program Director, TotalEnergies OneTech, deliberated on the topic, “Implementing a large-scale industrial AI transformation project: the key factors required for success in energy." The session was moderated by Saurabh Singh, Partner and APAC Lead Energy Practice, Kearney.
 
Various aspects of AI deployment came up during the discussion – what it takes to make the large-scale industrial AI transformation project a success in the energy sector, where the AI team should be housed, and whether the job should be done in-house or with a partner. And, how to choose a partner among others.  “The key to success in implementing a large-scale industrial AI transformation project lies in identifying what you want to transform,” said Jol. 
 
The questions are pertinent, considering that most AI-focused digital transformation initiatives within large corporations have failed to deliver the desired results, with some industry researchers estimating the failure rate at 90% or more.  It is also believed by many that transformation programmes are notoriously difficult to implement successfully for several reasons, including strategic and business misalignment, data and technical infrastructure, human and organisational factors, and implementation and operational issues. 
 
AI implementation for its own sake is unlikely to yield the desired outcomes. Access to quality data, computer infrastructure and human capital resources are among the key ingredients for a successful transformation initiative. Replying to a question, Sand said, “The success of a collaboration with a technology provider will depend upon the capability of the technology provider.”