Smarter, Safer, Faster: AI’s Energy Takeover

AI is redefining Middle East energy with predictive maintenance, data-driven operations, and safer, smarter assets

26 Jan 2026

A surge of investment in artificial intelligence is altering the inner workings of the Middle East’s energy sector, changing how oil and gas assets are operated, maintained and prepared for future demand. Regional investment outlooks project more than $100 billion a year flowing into energy, digital infrastructure and technology initiatives by 2026, a scale that underscores a strategic shift toward data-driven operations across the industry.

Much of that momentum is focused on predictive maintenance, where advanced analytics and machine learning are used to identify early signs of equipment stress. Instead of responding to failures after they occur, operators can intervene sooner, reducing unplanned shutdowns and improving safety. For companies overseeing sprawling networks of wells, pipelines and processing facilities, analysts said the approach is increasingly central to maintaining reliability at scale.

Major producers, including Saudi Aramco and the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, have described pilot programs and broader deployments of AI-powered tools aimed at extending asset life and improving performance. According to company statements, these systems analyze streams of operational data to forecast potential faults, allowing maintenance teams to act with greater precision while lowering overall costs.

The effectiveness of those tools depends on a parallel expansion of digital infrastructure. Investment is accelerating in data centers, industrial connectivity and software platforms that translate raw data into operational insight. Technology firms such as Siemens are working with regional energy companies to embed analytics into daily workflows, a step executives say is necessary to move beyond isolated pilot projects and deliver consistent results.

Applications of artificial intelligence are also spreading across the energy value chain. Real-time monitoring of facilities, optimization of power grids, demand forecasting and enhanced safety oversight through advanced sensing are among the areas seeing increased adoption. Together, these uses are intended to support more reliable supply while reducing waste and operational risk.

Still, challenges remain. Cybersecurity concerns are growing as systems become more interconnected, and the industry faces a need to build digital skills at scale. Not every asset offers the same return on investment, making careful prioritization essential. Even so, officials and analysts say the direction is clear. The region’s push into artificial intelligence reflects a longer-term bet on operational intelligence that could shape energy strategy and resilience in the years ahead.