Leaders are confident of AI’s value AI investment continues to accelerate as organizations move from experimentation toward measurable returns. % Increased AI 89 investment over the past year Grid modernization remains key concern The grid is still the leading infrastructure priority as AI increases pressure on energy systems. % Prioritize grid 67 modernization to support AI growth The same challenges remain Cybersecurity, data quality and talent are the leading barriers to AI adoption. % Cite cybersecurity 43 as a barrier to AI adoption AI growth is reshaping energy demand Leaders expect AI growth to increase energy consumption, strengthening the case for energy infrastructure investment. % Expect AI to increase 74 national energy consumption by 2030 Agentic AI is scaling Integrated agentic AI is moving rapidly into organizations as adoption matures beyond pilots. Agentic AI % deployment has 33 more than doubled, up from 15% from 2025 Broader AI benefits gain recognition Supply stability and reliability now outrank prediction accuracy and cost savings as measures of AI success. Rank supply stability % and reliability as the 39 leading measure of AI’s contribution Intelligence is getting physical Autonomous and robotic systems are moving into real operational environments. Industry respondents are % using autonomous and 60 robotic systems in physical operations Energy supply is harder to predict Growing complexity is strengthening the focus on adaptability, reliability and resilience. Say global energy % supply has become 86 more complex and harder to predict POWERING POSSIBLE 2026 AT A GLANCE 8