Under the agreement, both ADNOC and Microsoft will explore “transformative” solutions for the energy industry.
Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and Microsoft have signed deals that will enable ADNOC to integrate AI into its operations, and Microsoft to grow its AI and data centers.
Masdar and XRG (an international energy investment platform launched by ADNOC) will work together to develop energy projects that support the expansion of AI and data centers for Microsoft, according to a statement issued by ADNOC.
ADNOC and Microsoft will develop AI agents to enable operations to be implemented without human intervention, making businesses more efficient and productive, and further expanding the use of AI in business for ADNOC.
They announced the deal at the Enact Majlis in Abu Dhabi ahead of the Adipec conference.
Microsoft will also provide advanced tools for AI and training programs. Under the agreement, both companies will explore “transformative” solutions for the energy industry.
Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, stated that AI will continue to add value across industries. As ADNOC, Masdar, and XRG embed AI into every layer of their operations, it will advance the energy system that powers AI technologies. He is also the Managing Director and Group CEO of ADNOC.
He added that the partnership with Microsoft will help ADNOC to access many opportunities to drive the future of AI, enhance performance, and ensure the company is well-prepared to capitalize on future opportunities.
A recent report found that one in five energy companies is using agent-based AI to automate complex decision-making, and the number of companies adopting this technology is increasing within the industry.
ADNOC and Microsoft released a report last week titled Powering Possible. It revealed that 88% of the executives see AI as a very positive effect on the energy industry and described the relationship as “symbiotic.”
The study was concluded after taking insights from over 850 global experts in energy, technology, AI, academia, and finance. It also included representatives from OpenAI, TotalEnergies, and the International Energy Agency. They discussed how industries are increasingly relying on AI.
In November 2023, ADNOC was the first energy company to generate AI on its enterprise using Microsoft Copilot. Since their implementation in 2023, more than 40,000 employees have finished getting training to use AI. More than 90% of people are using AI, and they have gained around 70,000 hours of productivity per month.
Brad Smith, Microsoft’s vice chairman and president, stated that no single company or industry can drive the transition to a more sustainable, secure, and inclusive future. He stated the importance of working with the government, energy providers, and technology companies.
At the Enact Majlis in Abu Dhabi, ADNOC and a US startup, Gecko Robotics, signed three agreements to explore the use of robotics and AI in all ADNOC operations. The aim of the deal was to improve efficiency and train the UAE nationals.
These deals include a multi-year technology rollout for ADNOC Gas, joint training initiatives with the ADNOC Technical Academy, and the deployment of robotics and AI-powered analytics across ADNOC’s assets to minimize downtime and enable data-driven maintenance.
Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber stated that ADNOC is making use of AI and advanced technologies to reshape its operations, improve safety, efficiency, and performance. He said the three new agreements will help ADNOC to become the world’s most AI-enabled energy company. This will empower local talent and reinforce the UAE’s goal to become the global hub for energy.
AIQ, ADNOC’s joint venture with AI company Presight, signed the first of these agreements, a multi-year partnership with Gecko Robotics to introduce the Cantilever operating system across ADNOC Gas assets, marking AIQ’s entry into robotics.
