The first generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) advisor built into an automation system especially for the water and power sectors is the Ovation AI-enabled Virtual Advisor, which was introduced by Emerson, international company in industrial technology that provides cutting-edge automation solutions.
The addition of an AI-enabled virtual advisor as part of Emerson’s Ovation 4.0 Automation Platform delivers real-time insights to increase efficiency, detect anomalies, forecast maintenance issues and empower strategic decision-making.
The Ovation Virtual Advisor
Emerson’s Ovation Virtual Advisor embeds localized GenAI to provide dynamic system guidance and contextual support. The new solution helps users quickly gain access to Ovation system documentation, perform troubleshooting, proactively address maintenance issues and uncover optimization opportunities – all through natural language interaction. As part of a growing suite of Emerson’s AI-based tools, the system capitalizes on Emerson’s deep power and water domain expertise to enable future AI-powered insights to help optimize processes and equipment performance.
“As they navigate greater demand, complexity and climate variability, operators of today’s critical infrastructure need intelligent systems to deliver reliable power and clean water,” said Bob Yeager, president of Emerson’s power and water solutions business. “Using GenAI, our Ovation Virtual Advisor will help customers more efficiently manage these essential systems through clear operational awareness, automated routine tasks and advanced data analysis. Intelligent systems help improve reliability and extend the life of existing infrastructure, paving the way for more consistent, sustainable operations.”
A pre-trained AI models based on Emerson and customer-provided system information
Secure by design, the advisor uses local, pre-trained AI models based on Emerson and customer-provided system information that capture qualitative behavior at the control layer to ensure safe and accurate results. The AI models that power the Ovation Virtual Assistant can be further customized and tuned by uploading domain-specific data and operator feedback – helping customers make better operational and business decisions to drive competitive advantage.
Emerson’s Ovation 4.0 platform with its GenAI-enabled Ovation Virtual Advisor can be provided for new and system upgrade projects. The technology will be showcased at the Ovation Users’ Group conference, July 27-31, 2025, in Pittsburgh.
