California’s Independent System Operator (CAISO) is preparing to become the first grid operator in North America to manage power outages with Artificial Intelligence technology. The initiative involves launching a pilot program with OATI’s Genie software, a generative Artificial Intelligence tool designed to automate real-time analyses and reporting for grid operations. The official announcement is scheduled for the DTECH Midwest summit in Minneapolis on July 15.
Currently, CAISO’s grid management relies on engineers manually scanning and categorizing outage logs—a time-consuming process exacerbated by the scale of operations. Genie is set to transform this workflow by aggregating keywords and scanning outage data, dramatically reducing human labor and streamlining response times. If the pilot demonstrates significant improvements, CAISO plans to expand automation across more grid functions in the future, signaling a broader move toward modernizing critical infrastructure.
The shift comes as most US grid operators rely on decades-old, siloed systems tailored for highly specialized tasks. Industry experts highlight the enormous potential for Artificial Intelligence tools to conduct sophisticated analysis across organizational data, enhancing both speed and resilience of the grid. The US Department of Energy has recognized Artificial Intelligence´s potential benefits for grid studies, transmission planning, renewable integration, and electric vehicle infrastructure. International models like Australia’s grid, which uses Artificial Intelligence for managing rooftop solar flows, offer promising examples of what advanced grid automation could achieve.
Other large grid systems, including the PJM Interconnection and Texas’s ERCOT, are also exploring Artificial Intelligence-driven solutions. However, CAISO’s Genie pilot represents a significant, tangible step forward within the US context. While CAISO leadership tempers expectations, viewing the project as an important but measured advancement, energy experts believe effective deployment of Artificial Intelligence could pave the way for a more resilient, flexible grid—helping accelerate the digital transformation of utility operations nationwide.
