Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the global clean energy landscape, and the 2026 World Future Energy Summit will place a strong spotlight on its increasing role in transforming energy production, transmission, and smart distribution systems.
Set to run from January 13–15 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), the event is held as part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2026 and will deepen the focus on AI across all conference themes.
This year introduces the FUSE AI Zone—a new feature where more than 40 leading companies will present next-generation AI solutions supporting renewable energy, smart cities, infrastructure efficiency, and climate resilience.
Alongside this innovation hub, the summit will also debut the Artifical Intelligence Conference, a platform dedicated to responsible development and deployment of AI in energy and sustainable infrastructure.
AI as a Catalyst for Technical Transformation
Across the Middle East and North Africa, AI implementation is accelerating in areas such as grid performance, demand response, forecasting, and equipment maintenance. Improved prediction models and advanced storage technology are already boosting efficiency and reliability in renewable power generation.
However, crucial questions remain:
- Can AI compensate for policy delays slowing clean energy deployment?
- Can AI accelerate testing and scaling of carbon-cutting innovation?
- Can AI expand breakthroughs in carbon capture and storage?
These topics will be at the forefront of discussions as global experts, policymakers, and industry leaders gather to explore AI’s full potential.
The UAE’s Net Zero 2050 Strategy plays an important role in this conversation. The roadmap includes tripling renewable energy capacity by 2030, cutting emissions by 70%, and ensuring clean energy makes up half of the nation’s total energy mix. AI will act as a major enabler of these goals.
According to the event’s advisory report, AI-powered smart grid systems can accurately forecast energy supply and demand, integrate renewable sources more efficiently, and help avoid costly new power infrastructure. Investment in digital skills and infrastructure remains essential to unlock these benefits.
Smarter Design and Energy Efficiency in Built Environments
A major focus this year will be the role of AI in improving energy efficiency in homes and commercial facilities. Based on global benchmarks, AI-driven solutions have already helped some organizations cut energy usage by as much as 60%.
Industry thought leaders will examine:
- AI-driven building design and automation tools
- Software that models efficient design outcomes within budget
- Solutions that support water conservation, cost-efficient materials, and sustainable infrastructure
Additional sessions will explore how innovation and collaboration can strengthen supply chains and accelerate the shift to sustainable urban development.
Event Director Shyam Parmar noted that the Summit’s purpose is to unite global innovators and guide AI adoption responsibly, transforming ideas into real sustainability outcomes across industries.
Balancing AI Growth With Climate Targets
While AI offers enormous potential, its energy demand is growing. Forecasts suggest global AI-related electricity consumption could rise by up to 50% annually through 2030, with data centers expected to represent more than 3% of global energy demand by the end of the decade.
A pioneering clean energy project in Abu Dhabi aims to address this challenge: a large-scale solar-powered system paired with battery storage designed to produce one gigawatt of renewable baseload power around the clock. Such developments could help future AI-based data systems operate with net-zero emissions.
A dedicated panel will further explore strategies to minimize AI’s energy footprint while still supporting technological advancement.
AI for a Smarter and More Sustainable World
The Summit will also examine AI’s emerging applications in agriculture, healthcare, and advanced digital climate modelling—including breakthroughs in ultra-precise weather forecasting technology useful to farmers and resource planners.
The 2025 advisory report emphasizes that AI must serve clearly defined human and environmental goals—not be deployed simply for its novelty. Ethical direction, expert oversight, and collaboration across industries will be essential to ensure AI accelerates meaningful climate progress.
