80 Level- ABB has launched ABB Ability Augmented Operator as part of its participation at ADIPEC 2026 in Abu Dhabi.
- This AI-enabled software suite helps control room operators detect anomalies earlier, see how similar situations were previously handled in their facility, and test a response before making a change.
- Augmented Operator integrates into an operator’s existing daily control system workflows, combining operational context, process knowledge, and AI-enabled guidance.
- Augmented Operator uses AI to examine multiple data sources at once to detect subtle process changes and forecast critical process variables.
- Gino Hernandez, head of Global Digital Business at ABB’s Energy Industries division, emphasized the importance of trust in AI tools for operators.
- Augmented Operator can support safer, more efficient, and more consistent operations by helping control room teams detect and respond to changes earlier.
ABB's ABB Ability Augmented Operator was unveiled at ADIPEC 2026 in Abu Dhabi, aiming to enhance control room operations across various industries including chemicals, oil and gas, and power generation.
The software suite leverages AI to analyze multiple data sources, enabling operators to detect subtle process changes and forecast critical variables. It also allows users to review historical data to understand how similar situations were managed in the past, thereby improving decision-making processes.
Gino Hernandez, head of Global Digital Business at ABB’s Energy Industries division, emphasized the importance of trust in AI tools, stating, “AI will play a growing part in the control rooms of industrial facilities, but it has to earn its place there.” He noted that the Augmented Operator is designed to explain its reasoning and allow operators to test changes before implementation, ensuring that human oversight remains integral.5
The introduction of this technology comes at a critical time, as the International Energy Agency reports a significant imbalance in the energy workforce, with 2.4 energy workers nearing retirement for every new entrant under 25. By facilitating earlier detection and response to operational changes, the Augmented Operator aims to support safer and more efficient operations, potentially reducing unplanned shutdowns and performance discrepancies across shifts.
Overall, ABB's Augmented Operator represents a significant step towards more autonomous operations while keeping human operators at the forefront of decision-making.
“The software searches years of plant history to show how similar situations were handled, and can simulate outcomes before changes are made. With 2.4 energy workers nearing retirement for every new entrant under 25, ABB aims to let newer operators benefit from past operating knowledge.”
