AI Sparks a Global Rethink in Energy Services

Major energy firms turn to AI tools to speed decisions and strengthen global digital momentum

24 Nov 2025

Digital technology is advancing across the energy sector as service companies introduce new tools to improve operations and reduce downtime. SLB has drawn attention with the launch of Tela, an artificial intelligence assistant designed to support field teams, speed decisions and help identify potential disruptions before they affect production.

The release comes as energy producers face pressure to raise efficiency while managing volatile prices and tighter environmental expectations. SLB’s move highlights a broader effort to interpret large volumes of subsurface data more quickly, with early interest suggesting strong demand for systems that can translate complex information into practical guidance.

Rival groups are also adjusting their strategies. Halliburton and Baker Hughes have outlined plans to expand support for data centres and other digital infrastructure, alongside their existing work in monitoring and automation. Their approach reflects a wider view that software, analytics and machine-learning platforms will become as important to energy services as traditional hardware and engineering.

Similar investments are emerging in markets outside North America, indicating that the shift towards digital operations is global rather than regional. Industry analysts say the trend is tied to long-term resilience, as companies look to stabilise performance across cycles in drilling and production. They add that broader technology portfolios may help service providers limit the impact of swings in activity, though results differ by geography.

The rapid adoption of AI has also raised concerns. Specialists point to the need for stronger data protections and warn against relying on automated systems without clear oversight. Regulators in the US, Canada and other regions are assessing how AI should be governed when it influences decisions linked to safety or environmental compliance.

Despite these questions, sentiment across the sector remains positive. Companies expect continued investment, deeper collaboration and further integration of AI tools as digital capabilities become central to global energy services.