ADIPEC 2026 Opens with AI and Energy Transformation in Focus

The 2026 edition of ADIPEC opened in Abu Dhabi on 2 November, bringing together more than 239,000 visitors, over 40 ministers and senior representatives from across the global energy industry for what organisers describe as the event’s largest edition to date.

Hosted by ADNOC at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), the four-day gathering is examining the intersection of energy, artificial intelligence (AI), technology and investment, with energy security, affordability and operational efficiency featuring prominently on the agenda.

Opening the event, Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and ADNOC Managing Director and Group CEO, highlighted the growing relationship between energy demand and technological advancement. He pointed to AI as a defining force in the sector, placing the spotlight on the energy infrastructure required to support its expansion.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman also addressed the gathering, identifying energy as one of the world’s most pressing challenges as artificial intelligence continues to scale.

The discussions reflected a broader shift towards technology-led operations. Georges El Mir, Senior Vice President for Industry and Process Automation, Middle East and Africa at Schneider Electric, said the company’s latest research found that 76% of Middle Eastern energy leaders had increased investment in autonomous technologies over the past year.

He emphasised that these investments must deliver measurable operational improvements, backed by cybersecurity, local capabilities and workforce development.

For companies operating in remote and offshore environments, reliable digital infrastructure is equally important. Alaa Alsadi, Group Vice President, Energy and COO Middle East at IEC Telecom, highlighted the role of resilient connectivity in enabling AI-driven data analysis, faster decision-making and improved operational responses.

International exhibitors also used the platform to showcase their technological capabilities and pursue new partnerships. India’s Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) highlighted its focus on integrating AI into asset operations, while Jereh Global Middle East presented its expanding portfolio of advanced industrial technologies.

AI Takes Centre Stage

A dedicated AI Zone in Hall 13 was among the major attractions, offering an immersive showcase of emerging technologies, robotics and the growing application of artificial intelligence across the energy value chain.

The exhibition explored how human expertise and machine intelligence can work together to improve industrial systems, enhance productivity and support innovation.

Speaking at the AI Zone, Wassim Ghadban, Global Senior Vice President for AI and Digital Engineering at Kent, highlighted the importance of directing technological progress towards long-term societal benefits.

Across the conference and exhibition floors, the message was consistent: the industry’s next phase of development will depend not only on expanding energy supply, but also on how effectively companies deploy technology, manage assets and integrate intelligent systems into their operations.