Argonne OutLoud: A Win-Win: AI Empowering the Grid, the Grid Energizing AI

9/16/2025 - Sibendu Som, Henry Huang, Kibaek Kim, Haibin Sun

In this installment of the Argonne OutLoud Public Lecture Series, Argonne scientists explore how artificial intelligence, or AI, and the grid are working together, and how their research is helping to make our energy future stronger, smarter, and more secure. Joining our panel of scientists is Exelon’s Director of Transmission Analysis to explain what the explosion of AI means, in real-time, for the electric grid and power customers—and how AI is used to maintain the grid.

The use of AI, is growing at lightning speed, and we need a tremendous amount of energy to meet the current and future demands AI presents. However, our current electric grid wasn’t built for this kind of demand. Building new power sources carries a hefty price tag. It can also take years.

So how do we keep up?

There’s a powerful tool already at our fingertips: AI! AI can make the grid smarter, more efficient, and more reliable by predicting when equipment might fail, helping to prevent blackouts during extreme weather events, and keeping the power flowing smoothly, as electricity use goes up and down.

What happens when AI is involved in the grid?

We get a grid that’s more reliable! A better-preserved grid also means AI is self-reinforcing its own existence. A reliable grid enables delivery of the energy needed to fuel AI systems, data centers, and other critical infrastructure, while keeping the lights on for the rest of us.

Listen to this fascinating conversation that delves into how Argonne’s work is helping the U.S. meet the energy demands of today and tomorrow.

00:02 Robyn Wheeler Grange - Director, Office of Community Engagement, Argonne
00:43 Paul Kearns - Laboratory Director, Argonne
06:44 Sibendu Som - Director, AI Applications Initiative, Argonne
12:49 Henry Huang - Director, Energy Systems & Infrastructure Assessment/ Interim Director, Electricity Grid Program, Argonne
21:13 Kibaek Kim - Computational Mathematician, Argonne
30:14 Haibin Sun - Director, Transmission Analysis, Exelon
38:17 Panel discussion
45:52 Audience Q&A

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