AlphaX Decision Sciences COO and Co-Founder Aruna Viswanathan joined industry leaders at CERAWeek 2025's Innovation Agora to explore how emerging technologies are revolutionizing operational performance in oil and gas and geothermal sectors.
Panel
- Oscar Abbink, S&P Global – Moderator
- Aruna Viswanathan, COO and Co-Founder, AlphaX Decision Sciences
- Dr. Rajamani Sambasivam, Chief Digital Officer, PETRONAS
- Rebecca Hofmann, President & CEO, Blockchain For Energy
Key Discussion Themes
From Investor to AI Innovator
Viswanathan addressed why she transitioned from venture capital and private equity to co-founding an AI software company for oil and gas—recognizing that the energy sector needed purpose-built AI solutions developed by those who understood both the technology and operational challenges of unconventional assets.
Agentic AI: Transforming Work
A major focus centered on how agentic AI, coupled with generative AI, will fundamentally change workflows. Unlike traditional automation, agentic AI systems make autonomous decisions, learn from outcomes, and adapt strategies. For production forecasting and asset optimization, this means AI systems that don't just predict outcomes but actively evaluate multiple operational scenarios, enabling engineers to focus on higher-value decision-making.
Human-Centric AI Adoption
Viswanathan explored a critical challenge: How can leaders align organizations to enable AI adoption while remaining human-centric?
Successful AI implementation requires:
- Clear communication about how AI augments rather than replaces human expertise
- Organizational alignment across engineering, operations, and leadership
- Training to help teams leverage AI tools effectively
- Cultural change that embraces data-driven decision-making while valuing domain expertise
Engineering Education for the AI Era
The panel addressed how AI is reshaping engineering education. As AI tools become integral to workflows, tomorrow's energy professionals need traditional domain expertise combined with data literacy, AI fluency, and the ability to work alongside intelligent systems.
The Digital 5.0 Context
The discussion contextualized these AI questions within the larger Digital 5.0 framework:
- IoT Integration: Real-time data from sensors feeding AI systems for immediate operational insights
- Blockchain and Transparency: Decentralized technologies enhancing trust and security in autonomous decision-making
- Autonomous Operations: Systems that make independent operational decisions while maintaining human oversight
- Digital Literacy: Building organizational capabilities to leverage these technologies effectively
This session showcased how data-driven technologies are enhancing efficiency, safety, and decision-making in energy-intensive operations, setting new benchmarks for operational excellence.