Agents at work
Rethinking industry from the ground up
True transformation in industries like energy, chemicals, and manufacturing is neither instant nor purely technological—it is gradual, complex, and deeply human.
This book explores the terrain from automation to autonomy and from human judgement to agentic systems. It challenges us to think about the kind of future we want to build: one where systems are secure, explainable, and amplifying – rather than eroding – human thinking and connection, especially in industries where the margin for error is small and the stakes are high.
Chapters
The evolution of AI in industry
This chapter explores the journey from early image-recognition systems to today’s Agentic AI, showing how autonomy and coordination are reshaping industrial operations.
Scalable intelligence for higher impact
In this chapter, we examine how people evolve from task operators to managers of digital agents, unlocking scalable intelligence and new forms of collaboration.
AI as critical enabler of the oil and gas sector's future
In this chapter, analysts from S&P Global examine how artificial intelligence models are developing capabilities that could transform industrial operations, including the energy sector.
Security, explainability and governance in Agentic AI
In this chapter, we outline the technical and governance foundations needed for secure, explainable Agentic AI, and why trust and oversight are essential.
From Digital Twin to execution
This chapter looks at how digital twins are becoming active work surfaces, blending human judgment with machine execution for reliable, real-time decisions.
Lessons from the oil & gas industry for scalable decarbonisation
In this chapter, we draw lessons from oil & gas to show how digital and subsurface expertise can accelerate carbon capture and storage as a cornerstone of decarbonisation.
My hope is that this book gives you useful insights – and sparks thoughtful conversations about the future of work that we are shaping for the industry. Transformation won’t wait, and neither should we.
Shane McArdle, President & CEO, Kongsberg Digital
Contributors
Krishnan Sankaranarayanan
Chief Digital Officer, SABIC
Ram Nutakki
Reservoir Engineer
Koushik Venkataramaiah
Chief Architect, Kongsberg Digital
Øystein Hole
Chief Product Officer, Kongsberg Digital
Jeppe Sverdrup
VP of AI & Surface, Kongsberg Digital
Dr. Hooman Haghighi
Global Director of Decarbonisation Digital Solutions, Wood