Applying AI to planning requires a trove of data, and many power utilities have the operational data necessary to begin the kind of advanced analytics machine learning can provide. National Grid recently announced that it will pilot the machine-learning tools from technology firm Urbint to anticipate safety issues on its construction projects, bringing an AI advisor in to spot problems on jobsites before they lead to safety incidents.

“National Grid was one of our early adopters on our damage-reduction technology, so we’re expanding our solution to worker safety,” explains Lindsay Jenkins, Urbint vice president for strategy and technical operations. Urbint Lens for Worker Safety examines a utility’s project data, making risk assessments based on site conditions and the type of work involved, as well as the relevant history of safety incidents and near-miss events.