Breakfast Briefing: The real value of AI in energy
Join us at Energy UK’s breakfast briefing
Softwire is proud to sponsor Energy UK’s Breakfast Briefing on 26 March 2026, bringing together industry practitioners for an honest, fast-paced conversation about where AI is, and can, make a difference in the energy sector.
As “AI-powered” becomes part of everyday language, it’s easy to get caught up in the technology and lose sight of what really matters: the problems we’re trying to solve. This briefing cuts through the noise, exploring where AI adds value, where the risks sit, and what it takes to use these tools well in a sector where the risks are as critical as the mission.
Our own Marcus Gardiner, Client Director at Softwire, will be chairing the session, guiding discussions from a lineup of energy and technology practitioners.
Speakers:
- Dr Jamie Bright, Data Science & Development Manager, UK Power Networks
- Daisy Cross, Head of Future Retail Markets, Energy UK
- Marcus Gardiner, Client Director, Softwire (Chair)
- Samuel Young, AI Practice Manager, Energy Systems Catapult
The briefing will cover:
- What business problems are already being solved by AI, and what domains are the most promising places in the future?
- How will we operate an increasingly complex energy system, and what role will AI play?
- What do practitioners recommend to go from ‘AI experiments’ to AI that is responsible, effective and scaled in production?
Meet the chair
Marcus Gardiner
Client Director – Energy and Utilities
Marcus is a technical leader responsible for clients, strategy, growth and technical vision in Softwire’s Energy & Utilities sector.
Having had a first career as a business consultant before becoming a software developer, Marcus has a unique view of how to change what’s possible in businesses through people and technology.
From open data for energy trading decisions to personalised support for vulnerable customers, Marcus is immensely proud to lead teams that securely handle vast volumes of live data, build resilient 24/7 systems with care, and deploy AI in ways people understand and trust.
Marcus speaks regularly at industry events, co-hosted LeadDev London 2024, sits on the LDX3 programming committee, and enjoys sharing ideas with others in the tech and energy communities.
