Aboitiz Data Innovation (ADI), the data science and artificial intelligence (DSAI) unit of Philippines’ techglomerate Aboitiz Group, has emerged triumphant at the prestigious Asian Technology Excellence Awards for its AI-powered inspection system (AIS).

Luis F. Gonzalez, ADI Chief Operating Officer for Power, reported the company's win after receiving the award at the Asian Technology Excellence Awards 2023 on September 18, 2023 in Bangkok, Thailand.

ADI won in the Philippines Technology Excellence Award for AI - Utilities category. Gonzalez said their triumph underscores their innovative spirit and commitment to enhancing operational efficiency through groundbreaking solutions. The winning AI-powered AIS has propelled ADI into the spotlight, he said.

“With human intelligence in the field, interacting with artificial intelligence in the platform, we can improve our capabilities beyond what either AI or humans can do on their own,” said Gonzalez.

For this project, ADI partnered with Visayan Electric and Davao Light, key players in Aboitiz Power Corporation (AboitizPower)'s power distribution utilities, signifies a significant stride towards leveraging AI and computer vision technologies to revolutionize asset inspection and inventory processes. The development of an AIS has introduced a new era of efficiency, cost reduction, and accuracy for utility companies.

“This is symbiotic AI and for us in ADI, it is the best approach for what we need in the Philippines and in Southeast Asia - AI that empowers and includes people to be able to do more and be more than before as a design choice for learning algorithms. As a data science and AI company, we need to strive for excellence in doing research, testing, building, and deploying AI that works. This to us is what will build trust in AI and deliver empowerment to everyone involved,” said Gonzalez.

Gonzalez explained that the journey towards digital transformation is propelled by the desire to empower AboitizPower's distribution utilities to elevate their business processes and secure a competitive edge. The power distribution utility industry thrives on regulatory compliance, with the Regulatory Asset Base (RAB) playing a pivotal role in tariff determination. Asset inventory campaigns, integral for RAB compliance, involve time-consuming image data assessment (IDA) to identify and categorize installed assets accurately.

Recognizing the inefficiencies inherent in the IDA process, ADI, Visayan Electric, and Davao Light worked together to introduce AI and computer vision technologies into the equation. The creation of an AI-powered AIS streamlines the IDA process, thereby enhancing accuracy, reducing costs, and accelerating the pace of asset inventory campaigns.

ADI's AI-powered AIS presents an array of advantages for utility companies, including swift verification and validation of asset inventory data. The automated IDA process translates into reduced time and costs associated with asset inventory campaigns, resulting in more frequent updates and an accurate RAB dataset. By aligning with this cutting-edge solution, utility companies mitigate the risk of penalties and fines arising from non-compliance.

AboitizPower Distribution Utilities Chief Operating Officer Anton Pedices said, “Efficient asset inventory is a critical component in ensuring reliable power supply to homes and businesses. The introduction of the Asset Inspection System in our operations will optimize asset management, guaranteeing regulatory compliance and delivering value to the customers and communities we are dedicated to serving.”

The AI model's adaptability ensures continuous improvement through user feedback, promising enhanced accuracy and efficiency over time. By optimizing operations and regulatory compliance through AI-driven solutions, ADI and its partners are driving long-term growth and success.

As grid analytics' digital transformation gains momentum, ADI's pioneering initiative lays the foundation for future expansion. The visionary goal is to revolutionize asset inventory and inspection processes across distribution utilities through AI integration. ADI envisions expanding capabilities, introducing new machine learning algorithms, and democratizing the solution for real-time data collection and analysis.