Artificial Intelligence offers a unique opportunity to drive greater efficiency and growth – but in a rapidly evolving landscape, how can companies navigate the complexity and unlock real value? Alex Shuttleworth, Brennan’s Head of Data and Analytics, offers answers in this new article with Energy Magazine.

No longer a fringe concept, artificial intelligence (AI) has evolved from a futuristic idea to an essential modern technology for businesses and individuals alike.

According to Alex Shuttleworth, Head of Data and Analytics, at Brennan, Australia’s largest independently owned and operated systems integrator, rapid implementation signifies the growing potential of AI as a business tool.

“As adoption continues to grow, so does the extension of AI,” he said.

This is also true for the energy sector, with different applications in both distribution and generation that range from enhancing asset maintenance and streamlining workforce management to optimising spot pricing strategies.

However, the challenge for companies in the energy industry is not just implementing AI but understanding how it can be utilised to create the most meaningful impact.

Think small, win big

One of the most effective ways to implement AI is through microinnovation – starting small, rapidly ideating, prototyping and testing use cases to prove value quickly.

“Micro-innovations are just small increments on what has already been done,” Shuttleworth said. One example is using AI to improve data maturity.

“AI makes a difference because it puts different data points together in ways you may not have considered.”

For Shuttleworth, the more information, the better.

This is particularly true in the energy industry, where real-time data can enhance decision-making and enable smarter grid management. But collating all this information can be a challenge.

“That’s one of the innovations we’re seeing through AI – bringing a range of data from different sources together into one learning tool,” Shuttleworth said.

The potential applications are just about limitless – from chatbots to improved customer service to predictive maintenance and demand forecasting, AI micro-innovations can create measurable improvements across operations without the need for large-scale transformation.

Taking this approach allows utilities and energy companies to take that first step into the AI world, making small, targeted improvements that can lead to broader organisational change over time.

Cutting through the hype

Once the decision has been made to pursue AI solutions, energy companies are often forced to wade through a confusing landscape of constant change, competing technologies and shifting priorities. With the continuous release of new tools and features, many organisations can be hesitant to commit, concerned their chosen solution could become obsolete before they see any benefit.

Indeed, a 2024 survey from ADAPT revealed that 77 per cent of Chief Financial Officer respondents deemed their organisations as ineffective at generating value from AI.

Concerns around privacy, compliance and accuracy only add to the uncertainty. That’s why finding the right partner is critical – it makes navigating the complexity simpler and helps businesses move forward with confidence.

"While it’s essential to be aware of the risks, it’s equally important to not let fear stall progress."

Shuttleworth said Brennan helps companies take the complexity out of AI in two important ways.

The first is the company’s approach to identifying use cases.

While there’s no shortage of opportunities for AI in the energy sector, to deliver value they must be aligned with the business strategy and have clear outcomes and measurable metrics.

To achieve this balance, Brennan rapidly ideates and validates the use cases, mapping each back to its intended value before distilling them into achievable projects that can be delivered within a short timeframe.

“That’s our key framework for reducing the complexity down to a bite-sized chunk and then driving it forward,” Shuttleworth said.

The second way Brennan removes complexity is via its suite of accelerators to activate AI machines in a range of environments, including Microsoft Copilot Studio and Microsoft Copilot Office 365.

This ensures that AI only accesses the specific information it needs, safeguarding sensitive business data and maintaining compliance with regulatory standards.

A trusted partner

As an Australian-based company with close to three decades of experience in the IT sector, and a team of more than 50 data and AI specialists, Brennan is uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between AI’s potential and its real-world execution in the energy sector.

The company’s scalable and trusted platform supports experimentation and model management, bringing genuine insight and proven experience to clients wanting to implement AI solutions in their business.

“We’ve got that real-world implementation experience,” Shuttleworth said.

Because of this experience, Brennan understands that although technology plays a critical role in AI success, it’s equally important to empower the people who will be using the tools.

“We have two levels of training,” Shuttleworth explained. The first focuses on building basic AI literacy, ensuring all employees have the skills and knowledge needed to make the most of AI technologies.

“We come back a little later after people have had time to use and understand the tools, and we train some of the champions up to an intermediate level so they can expand their capabilities even further,” Shuttleworth said. “It’s not just the technology, but also that human side that we offer.”

More than just a technology provider, Brennan is a trusted partner to its customers in the energy industry, helping them cut through complexity, build confidence and achieve meaningful outcomes.

With a combination of technical excellence, industry knowledge and a people-first approach, Brennan is helping the energy sector harness the real power of AI – one micro-innovation at a time.

This feature first appeared in the June 2025 issue of Energy Magazine.