AI is increasingly becoming a driver of electricity demand and operational change across the energy sector, according to an eToro market analyst, with implications for how investors assess UAE-listed energy companies.
Nagham Hassan, Market Analyst at eToro, said the link between artificial intelligence and energy is strengthening as data centres expand and as AI systems are used to optimize parts of the oil and gas value chain. Hassan also pointed to the annual ADIPEC conference as a focal point for these themes, citing comments from Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Managing Director and Group CEO of ADNOC, about how AI could transform the industry.
ADNOC highlights AI use across oilfield planning and operations
ADNOC announced a multi-year partnership with OpenAI and G42 aimed at using AI to accelerate oilfield development planning and improve decision-making across production, refining and trading. Hassan said the need for power to run AI systems could become as significant as computing capacity for countries looking to support AI expansion.
Hassan referenced an International Energy Agency view that data centres worldwide are expected to use roughly twice as much power by 2030 compared with last year. He also cited remarks attributed to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman during an ADIPEC-related discussion, where Altman reportedly named “energy” as the biggest challenge when asked about priorities for AI.
UAE power projects and gas demand tied to data centres
The analyst noted ongoing efforts to add capacity to the UAE power system. In the UAE, Masdar and the Emirates Water and Electricity Company are developing a solar-and-battery project intended to deliver power around the clock starting in 2027.
Hassan also said ADNOC has cited AI infrastructure as one factor behind expanding gas production, describing this as tied to potentially stronger long-term demand for gas and clean power as data centres become a larger share of electricity consumption.
AI-enabled operations and efficiency claims
Beyond demand, Hassan said AI is changing how energy firms operate. ADNOC, he noted, described an AI-enabled operations centre that connects more than 120 rigs and, according to company claims, has reduced engineering effort by 30% to 40%.
Hassan argued that efficiency improvements could help reduce operating costs, particularly as shipping disruptions continue to affect logistics expenses.
What investors should watch, according to eToro
For investors looking at UAE-listed companies, Hassan identified two areas to monitor: businesses supplying the gas and electricity required for data centres, and energy companies using AI to improve operational efficiency.
- Hassan said ADNOC Gas has identified AI data centres as a driver of UAE gas demand in its latest annual report.
- He added that ADNOC Drilling “already operates its first AI-enabled offshore rig.”
- He also said Presight holds a 51% stake in AIQ, described as an energy-focused AI company established by ADNOC and G42.
- Hassan said AIQ developed ENERGYai, which analyses ADNOC oil and gas reservoirs and is described as part of the technological foundation for the OpenAI partnership.
Hassan concluded by saying investors would need to see that AI-related spending translates into measurable outcomes, including data-centre capacity coming online on schedule, new long-term gas and power supply contracts, and companies reporting AI-driven savings in their earnings.
The analysis frames AI power needs and AI-led efficiency changes as factors that could increasingly shape the investment outlook for the UAE energy sector.
