Some 62% of energy leaders now rank artificial intelligence among their top two corporate priorities, up from 42% in 2025, according to a study released on Thursday by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), its international investment arm XRG and Microsoft.
The third annual Powering Possible report, titled Energy Resilience in the Intelligence Era, surveyed almost 400 senior energy and finance leaders, the Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported.
Some 89% of respondents increased AI spending over the past year. Some 63% expect returns on existing investments to cover or exceed their costs.
Power demand
Nearly three-quarters, or 74%, expect AI to increase energy consumption by 2030. Only 52% are confident existing infrastructure can meet the additional electricity demand, the same share as in 2025.
Two-thirds named grid modernization and smart-grid technology as the leading investment priority to support AI growth, followed by energy storage at 42%.
Confidence varied by market. Some 74% of leaders in Brazil and 70% in India said existing systems could meet AI-driven demand, compared with 40% in the United States and 38% in the United Kingdom.
From pilots to deployment
The share of organizations deploying integrated agentic AI workflows more than doubled to 33% from 15%. Those still piloting isolated applications fell to 15% from 35%.
Among energy-industry respondents, 60% are piloting or deploying autonomous and robotic systems in physical operations, such as inspecting infrastructure.
Supply stability and reliability was the most cited measure of AI’s contribution, chosen by 39% of respondents, up from 26%. The share naming cost savings fell to 13% from 19%.
“At ADNOC, we are embedding AI, robotics and advanced technology across our operations to optimize every barrel, every molecule and every megawatt we produce,” said Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, ADNOC managing director and group chief executive and executive chairman of XRG. “As AI scales, energy and technology must advance together.”
Brad Smith, vice chair and president of Microsoft, said progress would be measured by “whether it delivers lasting value while earning public trust.”
