Schneider Electric's Sreedhar Sistu on Scaling AI for Energy Management

From optimizing microgrids to managing peak energy loads, Sreedhar Sistu, VP of AI Offers, shares how Schneider Electric is harnessing AI to tackle critical energy challenges at global scale. Drawing from his experience deploying AI across a 150,000-person organization, he shares invaluable insights on building internal platforms, implementing stage-gate processes that prevent "POC purgatory," and creating frameworks for responsible innovation.

The conversation spans practical deployment strategies, World Economic Forum governance initiatives, and why mastering fundamentals matters more than chasing technology headlines. Through concrete examples and honest discussion of challenges, Sreedhar demonstrates how enterprises can move beyond pilots to create lasting value with AI.

 

Topics discussed:

• Transforming energy management through AI-powered solutions that optimize microgrids, manage peak loads, and orchestrate renewable energy sources effectively.
• Building robust internal platforms and processes to scale AI deployment across a 150,000-person global organization.
• Creating stage-gate evaluation processes that prevent "POC purgatory" by focusing on clear business outcomes and value creation.
• Balancing in-house AI development for core products with strategic vendor partnerships for operational efficiency improvements.
• Managing uncertainty in AI systems through education, process design, and clear communication about probabilistic outcomes.
• Developing frameworks for responsible AI governance through collaboration with the World Economic Forum and regulatory bodies.
• Tackling climate challenges through AI applications that reduce energy footprint, optimize energy mix, and enable technology adoption.
• Implementing people-centric processes that combine technical expertise with business domain knowledge for successful AI deployment.
• Navigating the evolving regulatory landscape while maintaining focus on innovation and value creation across global markets.
• Building internal capabilities to master AI technology rather than relying solely on vendor solutions and external expertise.

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