17:43, 16 December 2025

Artificial Intelligence Helps Prevent Accidents in Russias Energy Sector

Industry experts explain how intelligent systems are reshaping the way energy facilities are managed.

The deployment of artificial intelligence-based agents in the energy sector and public utilities is becoming a strategic necessity under current conditions. These technologies are not replacing specialists but fundamentally changing their role: instead of constant manual monitoring, systems are shifting toward forecasting and preventing failures. This transition significantly reduces accidents and downtime.

According to Russia’s Energy Ministry, by 2027 around 70% of companies in the country’s fuel and energy complex are expected to be using artificial intelligence.

Spotting Defects Before Humans Do

More than 300 AI-related projects are already underway across Russia, most of them in the oil and gas industry, Rg.ru reports. The fastest progress is being made in predictive equipment maintenance, where downtime has been reduced by 30–40%, as well as in logistics optimization and real-time data analysis.

“It’s important to note that most foreign solutions are used strictly within closed corporate environments. Developing domestic products is essential to ensuring technological sovereignty,” said Dmitry Bogdanov, director of the Gazprom Neft–Polytech Scientific and Educational Center.

Today, AI-based agents in Russia are being actively introduced to solve specific operational tasks. Computer vision systems analyze images of power lines and substations, identifying defects earlier than human inspectors. Intelligent assistants are taking over routine work, from analyzing sensor data to preparing draft documents and reports. This frees up human specialists to focus on more complex issues.

A New Layer Between Automation and Humans

“There is now an AI-agent layer emerging between automation and the human operator. It continuously analyzes telemetry, forecasts and digital twin data, and on that basis generates meaningful recommendations for operators,” explained Yuri Silaev, head of the Trusted Artificial Intelligence Laboratory at the Russian Technological University MIREA. As a result, specialists spend less time mechanically weighing options and more time assessing risks and engaging in strategic planning.

For now, many companies are using artificial intelligence primarily as an advisory tool, without granting it direct control over equipment. Even so, the potential is significant.

“As existing limitations are overcome, AI agents could become a key driver of the digital transformation of Russia’s energy sector, improving its reliability and efficiency,” said Alexander Vinokurov, engineering director at consulting and audit firm Kept.

Overall, digital transformation through the adoption of AI-based agents is paving the way for a more resilient and secure energy system, where technology and human expertise work together to prevent problems before they arise.

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