The human element in a digitalising energy world

In the final blog of our three-part blog series, SmartestEnergy's Group Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Rob Pringle highlights the importance of human skills and relationships in the evolving, tech-driven energy sector.

Despite the acceleration of technological advancements across the energy sector, human skills, relationships and expertise remain as crucial as ever. In a recent episode of the Avanade UK Energy Insights series, Rob Pringle, CTO at SmartestEnergy, discussed with Tarun Arora how the ‘human element’ is still of enduring importance within an increasingly digitalised sector. This blog will share Rob's perspective on enhancing the synergy between human expertise and technological capabilities within the energy sector.

The enduring value of human relationships

The growing prevalence of automation and artificial intelligence (AI) doesn’t diminish the enduring value of human relationships in energy trading and customer service. The nuances of complex transactions, intricate negotiations and the establishment of trust continue to necessitate human interaction and expert judgement.

Augmenting human capabilities with AI

I see AI as a powerful tool for augmenting human capabilities rather than simply replacing them. AI technologies excel at automating repetitive tasks, generating data-driven insights and improving efficiency, thereby allowing human professionals to dedicate their unique skills to higher-level strategic activities. As an example, AI can streamline contract reviews, highlighting key differences from standard terms and conditions and allowing a legal team to focus their expertise on complex clauses and strategic decision-making.

The importance of digital skills for all

I anticipate a growing expectation for employees to develop strong digital skills in all roles across an organisation, with team expertise no longer confined to technical departments. To prepare for this, it’s important to provide employees with access to relevant data insight platforms, fostering the development of their digital skills and empowering them to effectively integrate technology into their daily work.

Technology transforms energy, but people lead

Even as technology undeniably reshapes the energy sector, the ‘human element’ is still absolutely essential for success. By cultivating strong human relationships, strategically leveraging human capabilities with AI and prioritising digital skills across all teams, organisations can effectively navigate the complexities of an evolving energy landscape and unlock new opportunities for growth and innovation.

SmartestEnergy believes that people are at the heart of the energy transition. For a deeper discussion on this, please view the full Energy Insights episode at the link below.