Artificial Intelligence in Practice

42GE: Using Artificial Intelligence To Build The Internet Of Energy

GE was founded by Thomas Edison and today operates globally across the power, manufacturing, healthcare, aviation, oil and gas and financial sectors. Thirty per cent of the world's electricity is supplied by GE Power's turbines and generators.¹

In many ways, the energy industry has continued to follow the basic pattern set by Edison in the 18th century. The core process involves the generation of electrons that are transmitted one way between their source and destination.

Today, two pressures – the data-driven, digital revolution and the need for a switch to more sustainable sources of energy – have combined to create unique challenges, but also great opportunities.

To meet these challenges and capitalize on these opportunities, GE has spent five years and a billion dollars² transforming itself from an industrial company to a software and analytics company, with a focus on building smart, self-learning machines.

What Problem Is Artificial Intelligence Helping To Solve?

The growth of the world population and industry means there is greater demand than ever before for electricity, and that demand is only going to increase as more of the developing world becomes industrialized.

At the same time, environmental concerns mean there is an increasing need to find cleaner, safer and less polluting sources of energy. Wind, solar and tidal energy are expected to play a bigger role in filling our energy needs as time ...