Data
Is the energy sector seeing the beginnings of an AI investment boom?
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AI deals, jobs and patents have been booming in the last few years. GlobalData highlights some of the trends and explores whether the energy sector is keeping up.
The energy sector is seeing an increase in artificial intelligence (AI) investment across several key metrics, according to an analysis of GlobalData data. AI is gaining an increasing presence across multiple sectors, with top companies hiring for more AI roles, filing more AI-related patent applications and investing more in AI.
Power
Hiring patterns within the power sector as a whole are pointing towards an increase in the level of attention being shown to AI-related roles. There was a monthly average of 1,008 actively advertised- for open AI roles within the industry in April this year, up from a monthly average of 669 in December 2020.
AI has been fuelling innovation in the power sector, particularly in the past six years. There were, on average, 34 power patents related to AI granted each year from 2000 to 2014. That figure has risen to an average of 188 patents since then, reaching 230 in 2020.
Mining
Interest in AI is evident in hiring patterns within the mining sector through an increase in adverts for AI-related roles. There was a monthly average of 46 actively advertised-for open AI roles within the industry in April this year, up from a monthly average of 35 in December 2020.
AI-related patent applications have been growing in the past six years. There were, on average, 2.4 mining patents related to AI granted each year from 2000 to 2014. That figure has risen to an average of 8.4 patents since then, reaching 13 in 2020.
Offshore oil & gas
Companies that invest in AI are expected to gain an edge over competitors in the oil and gas sector. Shell, Gazprom and Rosneft are classed as dominant players in AI, with an additional seven companies classified as leaders. Nine companies are considered to be vulnerable due to a lack of investment in AI.
Hiring patterns in the oil and gas sector are also showing increased demand for to AI-related roles. There was a monthly average of 478 actively advertised-for open AI roles within the industry in April this year, up from a monthly average of 333 in December 2020.
AI-related patent applications in the oil and gas sector have also increased in the past six years. There were, on average, 61 oil & gas patents related to AI granted each year from 2000 to 2014. That figure has risen to an average of 131 patents since then, reaching 245 in 2020.
