Digital technology for tomorrow’s Energy Sector showcased during Offshore Europe
Hands on interaction at Digital Offshore Playspace
The very latest digital technology for the Oil and Gas industry of tomorrow was showcased this week (Wednesday 6th September) at a ‘play, show and tell’ event as part of Offshore Europe, hosted by Elevator and Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce.
Visitors to the Digital Offshore Playspace were welcomed by a talking robot named Kai (KPMG Artificial Intelligence), which brings artificial intelligence to life and encourages interaction with technology.
More than 30 entrepreneurs, who are not yet ready to exhibit at Offshore Europe but are predicted to be the trailblazers of the future, showcased their products and innovations to potential investors, customers and collaborators.
Among them were some of the graduates of Elevator’s Accelerator Programme, which aims to fast-track businesses with high growth potential to the next level.
As well as robot Kai, which tours the world with audit, tax and advisory services provider, KPMG, some of the technologies on show included virtual reality reservoir modeling, aerial inspection using drones, 3D modeling, industrial apps and voice operated marine logistics.
The event, which ran from 4-9pm, was a collaboration between the Oil and Gas Technology Centre (OGTC), Scottish Enterprise and Elevator. Global patent and trade mark law specialists Murgitroyd kindly sponsored the drinks reception.
More than 250 Offshore Europe delegates attended the event at The Hub at Bridge of Don’s energy park, which spread over Elevator’s Centre for Entrepreneurship and Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce’s base, and Cafe Grub, in the same building.
Professor Gary McEwan, Chief Executive of Elevator, said: “Aberdeen is well established as a global energy hub and thousands of visitors were in the city this week for Offshore Europe so this is a fantastic opportunity for companies which are at an early or pre-investment stage to showcase some of the innovations in digital technology that we expect will become the norm over the coming years.
“Along with our event partners, we are looking forward to welcoming Offshore Europe delegates who are keen to find out more about the technology of the future and make use of the very latest advances to improve both productivity and profitability by helping humans to work more efficiently.”
Steve Harrison, Project Manager - Sector Delivery - Strategy & Sectors at Scottish Enterprise, said: “The Digital Playspace event positions Aberdeen as the place where data driven production, digital transformation and innovation in the offshore energy sector is alive, vibrant and generating real value for the industry.
“We are planning a programme of work to develop the 2030 vision for Digital Offshore and have been asking both delegates and demonstrators at the event for their views.”
Lawrence Hunt, director of oil and gas consulting at KPMG, said: ““We were excited to bring Kai to Offshore Europe to demonstrate this interactive AI technology first-hand. People quickly see how Kai’s sophisticated user interface replicates the social intelligence of humans, enabling socially aware interactive dialogue between humans and computers.
“By mimicking human brain functioning, AI undoubtedly has the potential to reshape the workplace of the future. This creates the potential for interactive partnerships between humans and machines that can help to increase efficiency in business processes, drive productivity, and increase the potential for new business solutions.
“From an energy sector perspective, there is huge potential to apply AI technologies to business operations in this way, as well as assist in exploration and production activities – something that is already happening. We are excited to bring our Kai robot to Offshore Europe to demonstrate this interactive AI technology first-hand.
“People quickly see how Kai’s sophisticated user interface replicates the social intelligence of humans, enabling socially aware interactive dialogue between humans and computers.”
Stephen Ashley, digital solution centre manager, added: “The Digital Offshore Playspace is a great way to see some of the new disruptive and transformative digital technologies that are shaping the future of the industry. OGTC is pleased to be a supporter of this event and we will be following up the event with a programme of investment advancing the digital capability of the oil and gas industry” said Stephen Ashley, Digital Solutions Centre manager at the OGTC.”
Admission to the Digital Offshore Playspace was free and included a complimentary BBQ at Grub and drinks by Fierce Beer and Teasmith Gin.
Elevator can help you at any stage of business whether starting up, growing, or looking to expand into a global brand, contact our team to find out more about what is available in the amazing entreprneurial ecosystem which exists in Scotland.
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