AI economics create a second reason for scrutiny. A lower cost per token does not automatically mean lower total spend; it can widen usage. Every additional agent step, retrieval call or extended context carries a marginal cost, alongside the power, data and governance needed to support it. The commercial test is therefore not just whether AI works, but which use cases deserve more tokens, more autonomy and more infrastructure because they produce measurable operational or resilience value. The data suggests that the industry is investing not only on evidence, but also on conviction: a strategic bet that AI will become essential to competitiveness, resilience and long-term performance in an increasingly complex energy system. “Long before disruption  occurs, mission-critical industries must build resilience, while their increasingly complex, interconnected energy systems must deliver security, affordability and sustainable growth. Achieving this balance requires innovation that scales as operating conditions change. AI, combined with deep industry knowledge and operational data, can help operators make faster, more informed decisions — and provide intelligence critical to creating a smarter, more connected, and more resilient energy future.” Vimal Kapur Chairman & CEO, Honeywell Technologies • STRENGTHENED: The share of energy leaders naming AI as the highest corporate priority rose from 9% to 26%, while those placing it among the top two rose from 42% to 62%. • UNCHANGED: Nearly nine in ten organizations increased AI and digital infrastructure spending for a second year. • NEW: Almost two-thirds say existing investments will cover or exceed their costs. The 2026 perspective Powering Possible 2026 17