In the energy and chemical industries, autonomous operation is no longer a long-term goal but is becoming an immediate management agenda. With the burden on power grids increasing due to the spread of AI, the industry is turning its attention to autonomy as a solution to simultaneously address cost pressures, a shortage of skilled labor, and operational stability issues.

Schneider Electric Korea released the results of the related study on April 2. The 'Global Autonomy Maturity Report,' which the company previously announced through its global headquarters on March 23 and released as a document on March 26, is based on a survey of 400 senior executives in the energy and chemical industries across 12 countries. The same survey scale and report title were presented in the materials released in Korea.

In the survey, 31.5% of respondents viewed the advancement of autonomy as a top priority within the next five years, and this figure rose to 44% over a 10-year timeframe. Conversely, less than 5% viewed it as a low priority. Factors of concern regarding delays in implementation included increased operating costs (59%), talent shortages (52%), and decreased competitiveness (48%). Initial investment costs (34%), limitations of existing systems (30%), organizational resistance (27%), cybersecurity (26%), and regulatory uncertainty (25%) were cited as obstacles to diffusion.

The backdrop highlighted in this report is the combination of AI and power demand. Schneider Electric projected that the expansion of hyperscale clouds and data centers is placing a heavy burden on energy systems, and that related power demand could nearly double to 1,000 TWh by 2030. In this context, 49% of respondents identified AI as the biggest driver of accelerating autonomy.

The company also presented a direction to enhance real-time visibility and AI-based digital twins through a software-defined architecture that combines process control, power management, and Aveva's digital technologies.