Artificial intelligence has continued to gain momentum in all areas of life, including the legal profession, especially in the field of dispute agreements.

Artificial Intelligence (AI), the concept that computerized systems can replace human thought processes and interactions, continues to gain traction in all areas of life including the legal profession and in particular in the field of dispute resolution.

For those of us who work in the field of alternative conflict resolution, such predictions may seem more troubling, even frightening, than reassuring or exciting. The question is what is AI likely to do in an environment that is so focused on combining nuanced concepts such as legal rights and a sense of fairness (adjudication) or human interaction and training (mediation)? Where do these developments leave us and what will their impact be?

Could artificial intelligence have the ability to process claims faster and even decide cases? Will claimants tolerate their cases being resolved by computers?

However, the counterargument is that as artificial intelligence increasingly becomes part of our daily lives to the point where we allow it to run our lives, there will come a time when we will be completely comfortable letting an algorithm decide our legal case for us.

Energy projects are usually long, complex, and require a significant level of capital. Additionally, the sector is highly exposed to geological events, political changes, and environmental regulations. For these reasons, disputes are common in the energy sector, and arbitration has become the preferred means of resolving these disputes, especially at the international level

Hence, with the ability to collect huge amounts of information and analyzing with future predictions, artificial intelligence applications will be very helpful in solving legal disputes in energy fields.

Increasing the Efficiency of Energy Production and Use

In recent years, the use of artificial intelligence and other digital technologies in the oil and gas industry has increased significantly, and this trend is expected to continue over the coming decades. The rapid integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning in the energy sector opens great prospects for the oil and gas industry. Indeed, digital transformation in the oil and gas sector is well documented, with almost all major energy companies adopting artificial intelligence and other innovative technologies to improve their operations. It is used to minimize operational costs, improve sustainability, speed up operations, reduce production and maintenance costs, enhance safety and operational efficiency, and work to reduce emissions.

Today, the energy sector is one of the most powerful and profitable sectors in the modern economy, with energy companies having a lot of data to manage. Effective data processing and management is only possible through using digital technologies, as artificial intelligence can be used to process and manage data with greater efficiency, time, and cost. This will increase the energy industry’s ability to compete in unstable economic conditions, develop better operational methods, and enable the discovery of new insights.

The most important of which is resource management, as resource management can be improved if current usage statistics and strategic goals are known, as artificial intelligence systems can control, manage, and evaluate energy consumption, predict demand to prepare for it, and predict problems and malfunctions to avoid and address them. Proactively, this is reflected in energy efficiency and lower utility and service bills.

The energy sector is classified as a data-rich sector, as it is one of its most valuable assets, and energy providers must develop their ability to store, read, and analyze data correctly, especially if they want to gain a competitive advantage and meet complex business challenges. “Smart grids” come as a result of integrating electrical networks with several modern technologies, and more precisely, they are the result of mixing artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), and big data with the electric energy industry. The smart grid is defined as a fully automated energy delivery network that controls and monitors each consumer in a way that ensures a two-way flow of electricity.

IoT technologies will play the role of eyes and hands for this network, as micro-sensors collect various data along the value chains and respond to it at the three stages of the energy industry: generation, delivery, and distribution. Artificial intelligence will serve as the brain of the network, replacing large regional networks with specialized small networks that accurately manage local energy needs. In the future, it can also be paired with new battery technologies that ensure the continued flow of energy in exceptional circumstances such as sudden outages and severe weather conditions.

Electric power networks, wind farms, and solar panels are facilities that occupy large geographical areas and require continuous monitoring. Artificial intelligence technologies can be used for continuous monitoring, using computer vision, drones, and distributing various sensors that capture data around the clock. For example, Google Cloud’s visual inspection tool is characterized by its ability to reduce inspection times without compromising the level of safety or accuracy and can be operated and deployed in workplaces. Through machine learning and computer vision, artificial intelligence systems can raise the quality level of smart electrical networks, reduce work interruption times, and reduce inspection and restart costs.

Energy companies need a scalable data warehouse so they can import, process, and analyze data. Powerful AI tools are used in data analytics to extract accurate, actionable real-world insights. These tools help in large-scale data sorting, where machine learning algorithms can identify patterns. Insights into large data sets and forecasting forecast energy demand, helping energy companies improve production decision-making and reduce required operating reserves. It can help end consumers reduce utility bills by optimizing home battery and solar systems and avoiding peak times.

Already, the process of digitization of the energy sector is well underway, with almost all oil, gas, and renewable energy companies integrating a wide range of innovative technologies into their operations, in order to increase efficiency, stabilize production and reduce costs.

Eng. Mohamed Abdelraouf

Production General Manager in Khalda Petroleum Company