SAP NOW AI Tour: Expert Centre: Bridging the Gap: Unifying Business Operations and Human Capital for Enterprise Transformation

In the session Bridging the Gap: Unifying Business Operations and Human Capital, industry leaders examined how mining, oil and gas, and utilities are tackling workforce challenges such as an aging workforce and difficulties attracting younger talent. Moderator Maddy Dunn led a discussion with panelists Christo Visser and Dipin Abraham, highlighting how advanced technologies are helping to close both talent and operational gaps. Utilities are embracing AI and edge computing for remote monitoring of transmission lines, deploying digital twins to manage solar and wind farms, and adopting virtual reality to accelerate employee training and reduce costs. The session also emphasised the importance of intuitive user experiences, with AI copilots such as SAP Joule making technology easier for technicians to adopt. SA Power Networks demonstrated how Generative AI can provide instant access to decades of historical data, dramatically reducing repair times and shifting initial concerns about AI-driven job losses into genuine enthusiasm among unionised staff. Beyond technology, the panel explored innovative approaches to talent acquisition, including hiring pilots and professional athletes for their transferable skills, while also building pathways for younger generations to learn remote operations and advanced equipment handling. Together, these insights showed how industries traditionally seen as “dirty” or outdated are modernising rapidly, uniting business operations with human capital to deliver both efficiency and long-term workforce resilience.