AI, tech and innovation: building a future that works
From AI breakthroughs to lifelong learning, Claire Whitmore, Head of Digital Technology at E.ON UK, shares her top takeaways from the Gartner IT Symposium and how they’re shaping the path to innovation.
It’s not every week you get to step away from the day-to-day and immerse yourself in the future of technology. I recently had the privilege of joining the Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo™ 2024. It was a packed schedule of insightful sessions, thought-provoking keynotes, and networking with industry experts from across EMEA.
Unsurprisingly, Artificial Intelligence (AI) stole the spotlight. But this wasn’t just about flashy demos or futuristic predictions. AI is making waves, not just for increased productivity but for delivering better business outcomes. The big takeaway? It’s not ‘humans vs. machines’, but ‘humans + machines’. Augmentation is where the magic happens.
At E.ON, this thinking is already shaping our work. From advanced technologies that make our energy systems more efficient and reliable to personalised solutions powered by AI, such as predictive tools that help customers optimise their energy usage based on their habits, AI helps us push boundaries while supporting sustainability goals.
Initiatives like our recent AI Hackathon, which brought together teams to brainstorm and prototype smart AI-driven solutions, highlight how we’re turning ideas into action. It’s not just about dreaming up ideas of what’s possible, it’s about taking those ideas and making them real and valuable for our customers – like personalised energy usage reports that highlight savings opportunities, or tailored recommendations for adopting renewable energy solutions like solar panels or heat pumps in customers’ homes.
That said, AI is still finding its feet. The potential is massive, but the benefits are still emerging. As it grows more autonomous, the guardrails and ethical principles we already have in place at E.ON become even more important. These measures ensure we can innovate responsibly, building trust in technology as we progress with purpose.
Another theme that stood out was the importance of continuous learning and upskilling. As technology evolves at lightning speed, staying ahead means we must keep developing ourselves and our teams. At E.ON, this resonates deeply with our commitment to growth. A great example is the recent success of our AI Lounge where hundreds of colleagues joined sessions to explore how AI can support their daily tasks – ultimately making us more responsive for our customers. Building a digitally confident workforce is essential for keeping us agile, innovative, and ready to tackle the future.
What does this mean for our customers? The insights we gained aren’t just theoretical. They’ll shape how we approach challenges, from improving customer service through smarter tech and automating processes to delivering better, more personalised, dynamic solutions for our customers.
Of course, the event wasn’t all presentations and panels. Exchanging ideas and challenges with people from other industries is a great reminder that we’re all navigating the same rapid currents of change. Sharing experiences, and yes, swapping a few cautionary tales, helped reinforce the importance of staying open to new ideas.
Events like these are invaluable. They remind us that while technology is moving fast, the human connection — sharing, learning, and building together — remains at the heart of innovation.
I’m excited to embrace the lessons. Whether it’s leveraging AI, championing lifelong learning, or setting those all-important guardrails, the future is ours to shape.