Joining forces with Energy and Water Visionaries

Another exhilarating edition of WE3 Summit went by, and this year’s event was nothing short of transformative. Hosted in the heart of California, WE3 Summit 2024 brought together thought leaders and 600+ key executives embarked on a transformative journey from more than 10+ countries. Indeed, the Mega Energy and Water Event of the Year marked a turning point for the energy and utility sectors, moving beyond traditional conversations on energy and water transformation toward a future driven by People + AI.

Over the course of three days, global leaders, industry pioneers, and technology visionaries gathered on California’s coast to advance the future of energy and water. This wasn’t just a summit—it was a high-impact movement, setting the stage for tangible change, practical solutions, and transformative ideas that will redefine the industry. Here’s a look back at the game-changing insights and innovations that emerged.

Setting a Powerful Tone for AI Transformation and Collaboration

The summit opened with a dynamic blend of networking and inspiration, setting the groundwork for collaboration that reverberated throughout the event. At Pelican Hill Golf Club, friendly competition turned into meaningful networking, sparking the discussions and partnerships that fuelled the summit’s themes. The Kick-Off Networking and Dinner Reception extended these dialogues, fostering thought-provoking conversations about the future of AI-driven energy and the role of industry leadership in shaping that future.

The vision shared by Deepak Garg, Co-CEO and Founder of SEW, resonated deeply:

"Innovation doesn’t happen in isolation. Together, we create ecosystems where AI not only drives efficiency but empowers people, leading them to drive transformative change in energy and water." – Deepak Garg

This sentiment underscored the summit’s focus on aligning cutting-edge technology with human-centric goals, redefining the way utilities operate, engage, and innovate.

Leadership in Action: Lessons from Kapil Dev

The summit’s keynote by cricket legend Kapil Dev was a masterclass in leadership and personal growth. Known for leading India to its first Cricket World Cup victory in 1983, Kapil Dev powerful parallels between sports and innovation:

"The biggest passion you can bring to the field or the office is akin to being in love. Success comes when you think beyond today and prepare for tomorrow." – Kapil Dev

He encouraged participants to embrace innovation with clarity and purpose, reinforcing that resilience and teamwork are as critical in business as they are in sports. His call to action? Combine the passion of youth with the discipline of leadership to inspire change.

Transforming Energy & Water Industry via Vertically - Integrated Connected CX-WX-BX Platform Powered by People + AI

The summit featured a range of insightful sessions focused on driving the energy and water transition through advanced technology and innovation. Discussions highlighted the necessity of a holistic approach to transforming the energy and water sectors, encompassing every stage of the lifecycle—from planning and investment to digital platforms, customer service excellence, and data analysis. These sessions provided attendees with practical strategies and solutions to navigate the AI Co- CEO and Founder of SEW, In his keynote address at the WE3 Summit 2024, delivered a powerful call to action for the energy and water sectors. He emphasized the urgent need to “Integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into everyday systems, positioning it as a transformative force in addressing pressing global challenges.”

Highlighting the importance of a vertically focused approach tailored specifically for the energy and water industries, he celebrated the role of collaboration and co-innovation, noting that over 95% of SEW’s advancements were shaped by customer-driven insights. As the industry navigates constant change, he urged leaders to view challenges as opportunities for innovation, preparing for a future defined by adaptability, resilience, and sustainable growth.

Throughout the summit, speakers and panelists reflected on the urgent need to align innovation with sustainability. Brian Bentz, CEO of Alectra, captured this sentiment powerfully, stating, “Electrification is driving unprecedented growth, and AI is the key to managing this transformation effectively.” His insights in the sessions explored how AI can optimize grid resilience, integrate distributed energy resources, and enhance load forecasting to meet the growing demands of electrification.

Paul Lau, CEO of SMUD, brought a global perspective to the summit by emphasizing the criticality of collective action in tackling climate change. “Together, we are addressing the biggest threat of our time, leveraging technology to improve lives and transform our energy and water systems,” he said. His message underscored the urgency of decarbonization and the necessity of collaboration among utilities, governments, and technology providers to achieve ambitious sustainability goals.

Empowering Action with SEW’s ONE AI Platform

In a landmark session, attendees explored the promise of “ONE AI Platform” which is SEW’s V11+ platform, a vertically specific platform that seamlessly connects customer (CX), workforce (WX), and business (BX) experiences. This platform, powered by AI, enables real-time insights, operational efficiency, and hyper-personalized interactions, transforming how utilities serve their communities.

Leaders from SMUD, SDGE, Nisource, Alectra, Dominion Energy, London Hydro, Alliant, Southern Company, SAP, Deloitte, PwC and many more discussed on the imperative of vertically aligned connected platform.

The discussions shifted from big-picture vision to actionable insights, focusing on AI’s role as an accelerator for real-world transformation.

It began with a powerful keynote, “AI Vision, Strategy, and the Digital Mindset,” which underscored the urgency of adopting a human-centered, AI-driven strategy to stay competitive and resilient. This keynote invited leaders to rethink digital transformation by leveraging AI to optimize operations and enhance customer engagement. A following panel, with executives from Duke Energy, Georgia Power, and SEW, homed in on the practical applications of AI in Customer Experience (CX), where insights reinforced that customer-centric innovation is essential in today’s rapidly evolving landscape.

One of the summit’s highlights was the fireside chat, “Embracing Change: Dominion Energy’s Digital Transformation Journey,” featuring leaders from Dominion Energy, SEW, and Accenture. This session demonstrated how AI is a powerful driver for empowering customers through tailored, accessible experiences.

We witnessed a forward-looking panel on grid resilience and distributed energy, where industry experts shared practical strategies for incorporating AI in asset management, energy efficiency, and distributed energy resources (DERs). A central theme emerged: that achieving a sustainable, resilient grid requires collaborative innovation—where Human + AI partnerships become the foundation for a sustainable future.

Celebrating Excellence: WE3 Summit Awards Night

The WE3 Summit Awards Night was a dazzling celebration of innovation, leadership, and impact within the energy and water sectors. Held on the final evening, the event recognized individuals and organizations that have made extraordinary contributions to driving sustainability, advancing technology, and empowering communities. From trailblazing utilities to visionary leaders, the awards honored achievements across categories such as digital transformation, AI-driven innovation, and customer engagement excellence. With an atmosphere of inspiration and camaraderie, the night served as a testament to the collective progress being made and set the tone for continued innovation and collaboration in the years to come.

Immersing in Innovation: A Hands-On Experience at AI Innovation Labs

A highlight of the WE3 Summit was the opportunity for attendees to dive deep into AI Innovation Labs. These interactive sessions offered a firsthand experience of the transformative potential of AI-powered solutions. Designed to address critical challenges in Customer Experience (CX) and workforce management, the labs showcased how advanced technologies can be harnessed to build a resilient, intelligent grid from the ground up.

Through real-world use cases, attendees witnessed how digital platforms empower utilities to anticipate challenges, streamline processes, and create meaningful customer interactions. The labs fostered a deeper understanding of how Human + AI partnerships can drive impactful, scalable transformations across the energy and water sectors, setting a new benchmark for industry excellence.

The WE3 Pledge: A Unified Commitment

A defining moment of the summit was the WE3 Pledge, where all leaders present committed to engaging, empowering, and educating people to save energy and water. This collective action underscored the shared responsibility to confront the climate crisis and the belief that, together, these challenges can be overcome.

"By working together and embracing transformative technologies like AI, we can turn challenges into opportunities and triumph over the climate crisis." – Deepak Garg

The pledge symbolized a unified resolve to leverage the transformative power of People + AI in building a sustainable future.

She-Suite Synergy Fireside Chat at WE3 Summit 2024

The She-Suite Synergy Fireside Chat delivered an inspiring and thought-provoking discussion on "Leading the Charge: Women Advancing in Energy & Utilities". This impactful session showcased the powerful voices of women leaders driving transformation across the energy and utility industry.

The speakers shared invaluable insights on pivotal topics, including advancing career paths in traditionally male-dominated sectors, challenging outdated decision-making processes, and fostering inclusive leadership. They highlighted the importance of mentorship as a catalyst for career growth and addressed the pressing need to dismantle barriers hindering progress.

This session not only educated but empowered participants to embrace change, foster collaboration, and actively contribute to an equitable and innovative energy future. It left attendees inspired to take actionable steps in their personal and professional journeys to create lasting impacts within their organizations and the industry at large.

Translating Insights into Impactful Action with Global Perspectives

The focus shifted to practical implementation and the global applications of Human + AI in transforming energy systems. Sessions explored innovative use cases in digital payments, smart cities, and diverse regional approaches to energy challenges.

• AI Success Stories Across Regions: One of the most impactful sessions shared AI success stories from Latin America, showcasing how technology has transformed customer experience across unique economic landscapes. This global perspective illustrated how AI enables utilities to navigate local challenges while creating universally adaptable solutions.
• The Power of Diversity and Innovation in Energy: In the “Voices of Change” fireside chat, leaders discussed how diversity in perspectives and experiences fuels innovation and resilience. The conversation demonstrated that adapting to global energy challenges requires creative problem-solving driven by diverse voices. This collaborative approach empowers innovation to drive impact on a global scale, reinforcing the need for a leadership mindset that embraces inclusivity and innovation.
• Closing Reflections with Industry Leaders: In a powerful final session, “Mann Ki Baat,” SEW’s CEO Deepak Garg joined Alectra’s CEO Brian Bentz and other key leaders to reflect on the collective wisdom and core mission of the summit: to build a future where energy is not only sustainable but also accessible and powered by human-centered digital experiences. SEW’s Chief Strategy Officer George Hunt closed the summit by expressing gratitude to attendees and reaffirming SEW’s commitment to advancing the future of energy through Human + AI collaboration.

WE3 Summit Executive Chair Committee Announcement

A significant highlight from the WE3 Summit was the establishment of the WE3 Summit Executive Chair Committee, a strategic leadership group dedicated to advancing innovation and addressing critical issues in the energy and water sectors. Co-chaired by Paul Lau, CEO of SMUD, and Brian Bentz, CEO of Alectra, this committee will steer discussions on key topics such as AI-driven customer experiences, grid modernization, water conservation, and the implementation of sustainable solutions. This committee’s vision and leadership underscore the WE3 Summit’s commitment to fostering impactful, industry-wide collaboration and transformation.

WE3 Regional Chapters Declared

One of the key highlights of the WE3 Summit 2025 is the launch of its Regional Chapters, bringing the event’s transformative insights to Asia, Central America, Latin America, and Europe. These one-day immersive experiences are crafted to address the unique challenges and priorities of each region, focusing on how People + AI can solve pressing issues in climate resilience, water conservation, and sustainable energy. Through localized discussions, real-world applications, and targeted networking, the WE3 Regional Chapters aim to empower communities with actionable solutions and inspire collaborative progress at the local level.

Key Takeaways: People + AI as the Future of Energy and Utilities

As a summary for us, Here are the top takeaways that industry leaders will carry forward:

1. AI as a Catalyst for Practical Transformation: AI is more than a technological advancement; it is an essential catalyst for reshaping the energy and utility sectors. By adopting a collaborative, human-centered AI approach, utilities can optimize operations, improve customer engagement, and remain resilient in a dynamic market.
2. Customer-Centricity Is Key to Long-Term Success: The future of energy hinges on putting customers first. AI-powered, personalized digital experiences are critical to building trust and empowering customers to take an active role in their energy usage, marking a shift toward customer-owned energy journeys.
3. Collaborative Innovation for Grid Resilience: Grid resilience is more than a buzzword—it is a necessity. The future of energy demands collaborative innovation, where partnerships drive efficiency, safety, and sustainability.
4. Global Perspectives on AI for Sustainability: The summit reinforced that no single solution fits all; regional challenges require tailored approaches. By sharing global insights, the industry can accelerate progress toward a sustainable, interconnected future where energy is accessible to all.

Thank You for Being Part of WE3 Summit 2024

The success of WE3 Summit 2024 was bolstered by the generous support of its sponsors, who brought invaluable expertise, innovative solutions, and industry-leading insights to the event. This year’s sponsors included SAP, PwC, Bridgewater Consulting Group, Inc., iPaySmart, iGreenTree.Ai, Itron, Inc., ESC Partners, Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative (SECC), BHC Global, PayPal, Accenture, Tango Energy, Landis+Gyr, Deloitte, and Util-Assist Inc. Their contributions not only enriched the discussions but also facilitated impactful networking opportunities and drove meaningful progress across the energy and water sectors. The collective efforts of these organizations underscore the importance of collaboration in shaping a sustainable and inclusive future.

Looking to the Future: WE3 Summit’s Lasting Impact

As the WE3 Summit 2024 concluded, it left a profound impact on attendees, equipping them with the insights and partnerships to drive real, lasting change. The future of energy is not just sustainable but intelligent, accessible, and centered on the potential of Human + AI. The WE3 Summit has united the industry around this shared purpose, lighting the way toward a resilient, innovative, and customer-centered energy future.

Thank you to all who joined us in California this year. Together, we’ve set a transformative path forward, pioneering a future of energy that empowers communities and unites human ingenuity with advanced technology. Through collaboration, trust, and a global commitment to change, we’re building a new era of energy & water for generations to come.

Stay tuned for the WE3 Summit 2025, to be held in Las Vegas from November 5–7. We'll continue to share insights and innovations that shape our industry!