When AI finally popped at Southern Company

When AI finally popped at Southern Company

From Energy Central by Energy Central

April 24, 2026 · 52 min

About this episode

The episode discusses how Southern Company is effectively scaling AI across its enterprise with insights from key leaders.

Utilities everywhere are experimenting with what AI can do in one-off tools and pilot programs, but very few are actually scaling it across the enterprise. But when it comes to truly looking at the big picture of how AI can be a force multiplier, Southern Company is leading the way. To learn how and why the utility is taking a more comprehensive approach, host Kinsey Grant Baker chats with Southern Company’s Joyce Solomon, AMI Analytics and Data Science Manager, along with the utility’s partner in CGI’s Doug Leal, VP Consulting, Data & Analytics. Their conversation looks at how Southern Company, working with CGI, moved beyond proofs-of-concept to build the platform, governance, and culture needed for AI to actually take hold in the business. The story here is not just about technology, it’s about how innovation starts in one place and then begins to “pop” across the organization. From exploring the platform-first approach to how to frame AI as a tool that augments workers rather than replacing them, this episode highlights the key lessons learned to ensure that utilities successfully move from cautious interest to enterprise-wide momentum. Thanks to CGI for sponsoring this…

People in this episode

Host: Kinsey Grant Baker

Guests: Joyce Solomon, Doug Leal

Topics covered

  • AI in utilities
  • enterprise scaling
  • innovation culture
  • data analytics
  • technology adoption

Keywords

  • AI
  • Southern Company
  • CGI
  • data science
  • utilities
  • innovation
  • enterprise-wide momentum

Sponsors

CGI

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Southern Company

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