Energy Transition Talks

Hosted by CGI in Energy & Utilities

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May 2026

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The energy industry is evolving—how will quantum computing, AI, and digital transformation shape the future? Join CGI’s experts as they discuss the latest trends in decarbonization, grid modernization, and disruptive technologies driving the energy transition. Topics include: The impact of AI, quantum computing, and digital transformation Decarbonization strategies and the rise of green energy How utilities are modernizing power grids and improving resilience Innovations in battery storage, hydrogen, and renewables Listen now and stay ahead of the energy transition.

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August 31, 2026Episode 1319 min

Building enterprise AI for utilities: Why decades of operational expertise still matter

Send us Fan Mail How can energy and utility companies move from AI experimentation to real-world, mission-critical value? In this episode of Energy Transition Talks, host Peter Warren is joined by Peter Barnes, Solution Director for CGI OpenGrid, to explore how generative AI, agentic AI and multimodal AI are transforming utility operations, grid management, asset management and field work . Drawing on more than 35 years of utility industry experience, Peter Barnes explains why scaling AI across critical infrastructure requires more than powerful technology. Success depends on combining AI innovation with deep utility domain expertise, trusted operational data, security, governance and human oversight . The conversation explores how utilities can move beyond traditional software interfaces toward natural-language, AI-enabled experiences; connect field teams with operational intelligence from SCADA, ADMS and OMS systems ; and use AI agents, smart wearables and mixed reality to make complex information and proven expertise more accessible across the organization. 📌 In this episode: • From AI pilots to operational value: How utilities can scale AI safely in regulated, mission-critical environments. • Generative and agentic AI in utilities: How AI agents can simplify workflows, automate repetitive tasks and help employees interact with complex operational systems. • AI-powered field operations: How multimodal AI, smart wearables and mixed reality can bring real-time information and expert knowledge directly to field teams. • The headless enterprise experience: Moving beyond forms, screens and tables toward conversational interfaces for inspections, feeder analysis, work orders and other utility workflows. • AI governance and grounded innovation: Why domain expertise, security, trusted data and governance are essential when applying AI to critical infrastructure. • Human expertise + AI: How AI can augment utility professionals, accelerate decision-making and make decades of operational knowledge more accessible. 🎙️ Featured speakers Host: Peter Warren Guest: Peter Barnes, Solution Director for CGI OpenGrid 🔗 Explore more Energy Transition Talks podcast series: https://www.cgi.com/en/energy-utilities/energy-transition-talks-podcast-series CGI Energy & Utilities: https://www.cgi.com/en/energy-utilities Follow Energy Transition Talks on Spotify or Apple Podcasts for more conversations on AI in utilities, grid modernization, energy transition, digital transformation, operational resilience and the future of energy and utility operations . Visit our Energy Transition Talks page

May 19, 2026Episode 1218 min

How Southern Company turned governed data into enterprise AI value

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Energy Transition Talks , CGI’s Peter Warren speaks with Joyce Solomon, Data Analytics Manager for AMI at Southern Company, and Doug Leal, Vice-President, Data Analytics and AI at CGI, about how utilities can turn trusted, governed data into scalable enterprise AI value. The conversation explores how Southern Company is using advanced metering infrastructure data, cloud-based architecture, strong data governance and business-led innovation to improve grid operations, customer engagement and AI adoption. Joyce and Doug share real-world examples, including meter-to-transformer validation, revenue recovery, EV charging insights, HVAC efficiency detection and the use of AI-ready data foundations for RAG, large language models and AI agents. Listeners will learn why governed data is not a barrier to innovation, but a critical accelerator for trusted analytics, scalable AI and enterprise-wide value creation in the energy and utilities sector. Visit our Energy Transition Talks page

April 28, 2026Episode 1115 min

Power and profit: The future of interconnected, resilient global infrastructure

Send us Fan Mail How can resilient energy, banking, and telecoms survive the next major disruption? Join CGI experts to explore the "citizen supply chain" and the future of cross-industry resilience. In this episode of Energy Transition Talks , Peter Warren, Charley Wark, and Andy Schmidt examine the interconnected network of essential services we rely on daily. We discuss why power, payments, connectivity, and trust must recover together when systems fail. Key Topics Covered: The Future of Energy: Virtual power plants (VPPs), vehicle-to-grid (V2G) tech, and DERs. Finance & Tech: Real-time systems, embedded finance, and digital identity. Strategy: Data sovereignty and coordinated ecosystems for utilities leaders. Visit our Energy Transition Talks page

April 7, 2026Episode 1018 min

How banking’s playbook is reshaping energy: The race to real time

Send us Fan Mail Is regulatory pressure a roadblock or a catalyst for innovation? In this episode, host Peter Warren is joined by CGI's Charley Wark and Andy Schmidt to explore how the energy and utilities sector is turning compliance into a competitive advantage. Drawing insightful parallels with the banking industry, they discuss how a data-driven approach is laying the groundwork for the emerging "citizen supply chain." Tune in to discover how this cross-industry collaboration is reshaping our energy systems for a more resilient, efficient, and connected future. Visit our Energy Transition Talks page

March 16, 2026Episode 916 min

AI transforming energy: From IoT data to measurable value

Send us Fan Mail How do you turn massive data sets into measurable value while managing the inherent risks of AI? In the second part of their discussion, CGI experts Peter Warren, Global Industry Lead for Energy & Utilities, and Dr. Diane Gutiw, Global AI Research Lead, cut through the noise to tackle the critical next steps in enterprise AI adoption. They explore the essential balance between innovation and risk, detailing why establishing clear governance and putting guardrails in place is the fastest path to long-term success. Learn how AI is enabling a "conversation with your data," helping industries like energy and utilities improve safety, predict failures, and build a resilient operational future. In this episode, you will learn about: The Four Pillars of AI Risk: A breakdown of the key risks in AI adoption—from bad actors and misuse to misunderstanding and the fear of missed opportunities. Guardrails as Accelerators: Why the most successful companies are the ones implementing standards and rules for AI use, leading to more reliable and trusted results. Unlocking IoT Data: How AI is turning data overload from industrial assets into actionable insights for predictive maintenance, fraud detection, and operational efficiency. Conversational AI: The future of dashboards and data analysis, where leaders can "phone their data" to ask complex what-if scenarios and get immediate answers. Real-World Impact: Practical examples of how AI is improving field safety, resource allocation, and performance in the energy and utilities industry. Visit our Energy Transition Talks page

February 23, 2026Episode 815 min

Scaling Everyday AI in the Energy Transition

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we move beyond the hype to discuss the strategic imperative of scaling AI across your enterprise. Join host Peter Warren and Dr. Diane Gutiw, CGI’s Global AI Research Lead, as they outline the leadership and cultural shifts required to move from small-scale AI experiments to enterprise-wide production and business value. Discover how to: Leverage "Agentic AI" to unlock new levels of operational efficiency and automate high-value work, not just tasks. Navigate the "Hybrid Workforce," outlining the new leadership strategies required when your teams are composed of both humans and AI. Utilize the "Digital Triplet" framework to transform your infrastructure and data into a conversational asset, enabling smarter, faster strategic decisions. Visit our Energy Transition Talks page

February 2, 2026Episode 717 min

Digital sovereignty in practice: How AI, cybersecurity and data define modern resilience

Send us Fan Mail Is your infrastructure truly resilient? Join Derek Marinos, Peter Warren, and Torsten Bernström as they explore how AI and IT/OT integration define modern digital sovereignty. As energy, utility, and defense sectors converge, physical borders are being replaced by digital ones. This episode breaks down the "cardiovascular system" of national infrastructure and why traditional security silos are now a liability. Key Takeaways: IT/OT Convergence: Why separate security teams often result in "no security" at all. Real-Time AI: Shifting from retrospective analysis to real-time situational awareness and decision support. The Speed Advantage: Using defense models to observe and act faster than adversaries. Governed Data: Treating data as a strategic asset to manage non-linear supply chain risks. Unified Resilience: Why sustainability and security are two sides of the same coin. Readiness is the new measure of security. Learn how to build trust across systems, people, and data in an age of transition. Visit our Energy Transition Talks page

January 12, 2026Episode 618 min

Energy sovereignty and defense: Why resilient supply chains matter for national security

Send us Fan Mail Energy sovereignty is no longer optional—it’s a matter of national security. In this episode of Energy Transition Talks , Derek Marinos speaks with CGI leaders Peter Warren (Energy & Utilities) and Torsten Bernström (Defense) about how resilient energy systems, secure supply chains and digital sovereignty are reshaping defense readiness and economic competitiveness. The discussion explores why reliable energy underpins total defense, how decentralized generation and SMRs reduce geopolitical risk, and why energy and cyber resilience now form one interconnected security ecosystem. Visit our Energy Transition Talks page

December 1, 2025Episode 516 min

From air gaps to zero-trust: Building cyber-physical resilience in the modern grid

Send us Fan Mail Zero-trust, device identity and cyber-physical resilience are now essential for securing modern energy grids. In this episode, CGI’s Andrea Grad speaks with PHYSEC CEO Prof. Dr. Christian Zenger about protecting OT, IoT, smart meters, substations and distributed energy resources (DERs) at scale. They also examine how regulations such as NIS2, the Cyber Resilience Act and the CER Directive are shaping global approaches to grid security, compliance and modernization. Visit our Energy Transition Talks page

November 17, 2025Episode 416 min

From models to meshes: Building trust, balance and resilience in AI for energy and utilities

Send us Fan Mail Energy & utilities leaders: move beyond AI pilots. CGI’s Peter Warren and Frédéric Miskawi show how small, quantized on-device models, edge robotics, and digital triplets drive real-time decisions on rigs and grids—while cutting cost and carbon. Get a pragmatic playbook: multi-model architectures, “healthy paranoia” against bias, and continuous data governance to fight digital entropy and build trustworthy, resilient AI. Visit our Energy Transition Talks page