Page 10 - Vol 28 Issue 29 2019

editors clue

The 4th industrial revolution is

here to stay, invest in it. By Chege Moses Kasaija

ssenting with Paige Leskin of Business Prerequisites for an increased use of AI in the
Insider US, the people we’ve come energy system are the digitalization of the energy
Ato associate with the most successful sector and a correspondingly large set of data
technology companies were once relatively that is evaluable, thus helping make the energy
unknown names with big dreams. So if they industry more efficient and secure by analyzing
could do it all over again, would they do it any and evaluating the data volumes.
differently? Yes, no, maybe, because they created The prospect of greater speed and lower
something - or saw potential in something - in a processing costs makes the application of AI
way that no one else did. very attractive for oil companies, which need
Just a few years ago, the 4th industrial revolution, a fast and cheap way to determine if there is
which is the current and developing environment any oil at the bottom of a drilled well. A well’s
in which disruptive technologies and trends such geothermal temperature profile, hole size and
as the Internet of Things (IoT), robotics, virtual shape, rock density, porosity and formation, and Chege Moses Kasaija
reality (VR) and artificial intelligence (AI) are fluid resistance are among the data that can be Publishing Editor
changing the way we live and work, was an idea analysed by bespoke AI algorithms faster and
too technically advanced for people to predict more accurately than by humans. AFRICAN
how it would truly impact the world. Now, it’s It’s inevitable that some people will lose jobs as MINING & OIL REVIEW
a real game changer for countless businesses automation and AI increase throughout energy, CHEGE PUBLISHING PTY LTD
including major players in the oil, gas, energy and mining, oil and gas operations. However, plenty
mining industry. of jobs will still be available as humans need to
Some experts claim that the interest, investment, oversee operations and be ready to step in if the
and technological development of the 4th technology fails to perform as it’s supposed to.
industrial revolution is skyrocketing at a rate that New workers who are skilled in different areas
the world and Africa in particular isn’t ready for. will also be introduced to manage the new
Not everyone is without suspicion when it comes technology and equipment. These roles will likely
to this cutting edge field, but companies in every be high-paid and provide lucrative opportunities
industry continue to lead the way with this new to those educated in technology and science.
technology despite the uncertainty and mixed Nevertheless, the very size of the mining, oil
feelings.
and gas industry, and the power and renewable
The arrival of the 4th industrial revolution started energy sectors, does represent a huge market
about a decade ago with the implementation of opportunity for AI scientists, engineers and
Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning, and software creators. A snowballing of technological
autonomous technologies in the mining industry developments in the years to come is almost a
with the first application to autonomous trucks. cert.
These autonomous technologies provide many Although the implementation of this technology
economic benefits to the mining industry through has faced economic, financial, technological,
cost reduction, productivity improvement, workforce, political and social challenges, leaders
reduction in exposure of workers to hazardous across Africa are asking ever more of their tax
conditions, continuous production, effective collectors, with good reason. The biggest hole in
repair and maintenance planning and improved public coffers is not money squandered or stolen,
safety. but that which is never collected in the first
Artificial Intelligence is becoming more and more place. The good news is that the 4th industrial
important in the energy industry and is having revolution is here stay and to help with that as
great potential for the future design of the energy well, as it will help in shaping the way we work,
system. Typical areas of application are electricity how we share wealth, empower citizens, promote
trading, smart grids, or the sector coupling of equitable growth and make inequalities visible,
electricity, heat and transport. all they have to do is to embrace this technology
and invest it in the populace.

10 | AFRICAN POWER Mining & Oil Review Vol 28, Issue 29, 2019 Celebrating 10 years of excellence