INSIGHTS RECOMMENDATION Hype gives way to pragmatism: The initial excitement around AI is maturing. While investment is still high, fewer businesses now call AI their "top priority". The focus has shifted from potential to the practical realities and challenges of integration, with many organizations looking to move from pilot to production Prioritize scalable, operational AI deployments with clear business value. Energy companies should shift resources from exploratory pilots to full-scale, production-ready AI solutions that directly address operational pain points (e.g., predictive maintenance, grid optimization). Establish robust frameworks for evaluating ROI and lessons learned from pilots and invest in change management to accelerate adoption across business units. Consider all perspectives to avoid misalignment on AI’s Impact: While most respondents continue to see AI’s impact on the energy sector as in line with other sectors – with numbers remaining relatively flat year on year, the gap between senior leaders and business decision makers is telling. 52% of BDMs see AI’s disruption on energy as being greater than other industries while it’s just 28% for the leaders. Bridge the perception gap through cross-level engagement and shared goals. Facilitate regular forums and workshops where senior leaders and business decision makers jointly review AI progress, challenges, and opportunities. Align incentives and performance metrics to ensure both groups are invested in AI-driven transformation, fostering a unified vision and accelerating buy-in at all levels. When senior leaders are seen using AI and investing in their own digital literacy, it sends a powerful message: AI is everyone’s business. The convergence of energy and AI is now a reality The findings in this report confirm that AI’s exponential growth depends on timely energy investment, and energy’s modernization depends on AI’s capabilities. What began as seven priorities in 2024 has now become a roadmap in action: efficiency gains, deeper collaboration, expanded investment, and early breakthroughs across the value chain. The task ahead is to scale what works and close the gaps before they become constraints. 36