6 Lessons for Utility Resilience in the Age of AI

At Edison Electric Institute’s (EEI) annual meeting, the Overstory team joined utility leaders and industry experts to collaborate on solutions for improving grid resilience. The atmosphere was forward-looking and electric, focusing on the impact of artificial intelligence on reliability, cybersecurity, wildfire prevention, and operations. One resonant theme throughout? This is the moment to innovate.

Here are six of the key takeaways we left with.

Wildfire resilience panelists Mary Kipp (Puget Sound Energy), Ted Geisler (Arizona Public Services), Bobby Shaffer (Oklahoma Gas & Electric, and Fiona Spruill (Overstory)

1. Reliability is non-negotiable.

In a dynamic conversation moderated by EEI’s Scott Aaronson, Carlos Morales, Senior Manager of Cyber Security at NextEra Energy, put it plainly: “Reliability is job one.” Unlike many tech sectors, utilities can't afford downtime and there’s no margin for error when you’re delivering power. AI solutions need to help utilities proactively avoid outages and communicate clearly with customers, not just expedite recovery. For tech companies, this means delivering innovative solutions that utilities can count on completely.

2. AI is unlocking speed, foresight, and coordination.

Utilities are increasingly depending on AI to tackle complex logistical challenges. Monica Karaturi from CenterPoint Energy highlighted how advanced AI gives utilities detailed insights across extensive networks, helping anticipate problems before they arise. Toby Thomas of FirstEnergy Corp. emphasized this point, saying storm recovery must become “safer, better, faster, cheaper.” Tools that leverage AI like Overstory are playing a more crucial role in wildfire mitigation by enabling rapid coordination, precise resource allocation, and faster response before, during, and after  emergencies.

3. Better resilience starts with data.

This theme was front and center during a wildfire panel featuring Overstory CEO, Fiona Spruill, Bobby Shaffer of OG&E, and Mary Kipp of Puget Sound Energy. The conversation focused on how utilities are evolving their mitigation strategies to keep pace with growing wildfire risk and why data quality underpins every effective plan. Bobby Shaffer pointed to how Overstory’s system-wide view of vegetation risk is helping his team make smarter, more informed decisions. "Now I can look at the entire system at once, clearly see what’s diverting risk, and make informed, measurable decisions," he said, noting the importance of having that clarity when shaping and evaluating mitigation plans. Monica Karaturi shared a similar sentiment during a separate session, emphasizing that “garbage in means garbage out.” Quality data, she noted, is essential for resilience planning from pre-positioning crews ahead of storms to building trust in restoration strategies.

4. Field usability makes or breaks tech adoption.

Utility crews on the frontlines often operate in stressful, hazardous environments. Toby Thomas explained why technology must be user-friendly: “Some tools work well for the expert who wrote them—good tech works for everyone in the field.” Solutions that slow down or complicate fieldwork can quickly become obstacles. Successful adoption depends on creating intuitive, collaborative tools that show immediate value from the start.

5. Compliance and cybersecurity are evolving.

Carlos Morales called for a shift away from checklist compliance to proactive, risk-based cybersecurity standards. As threats evolve, utilities and regulators need to adapt rapidly. AI doesn’t just enhance resilience during incidents. It can fundamentally change how utilities monitor, audit, and secure their critical infrastructure, but we have to maintain high standards for tech security to ensure our critical infrastructure remains safe.

6. Wildfire resilience is a national—and global—mandate.

Ted Geisler at Pinnacle West Capital Corp. and Arizona Public Service stressed that wildfire prevention is about more than protecting assets—it’s about safeguarding communities. Elaborating further, Geisler shared, “When it comes to wildfire risk, the utility’s role goes well beyond protecting equipment and investments—it’s about protecting our customers and communities. Fire risk exists everywhere, and it’s our job to come together and invest in smarter strategies to create a higher standard [for risk mitigation] across the board.” The industry is moving toward proactive, data-driven strategies, requiring utilities to demonstrate clearly that their measures reduce risk. Leaders at EEI emphasized the necessity of leading conversations with regulators to create consistent, effective national standards.

Interested in learning more about how AI-driven vegetation intelligence can support your wildfire mitigation goals? Book a demo to explore what's possible.