According to a global study conducted by Censuswide across 850 C-level and senior utility leaders, the industry is recalibrating its capital deployment towards grid resilience, network reliability, and customer affordability.

Commissioned by enterprise software specialist IFS, the research outlines a sector navigating compounding pressures: deteriorating legacy assets, severe weather events, and mounting consumer sensitivity to energy bills. The findings highlight that operators can no longer treat the green transition in isolation from basic network security and operational balance.

Carol Johnston, VP of Energy, Utilities & Resources at IFS, puts the findings into perspective:

"The pendulum in the energy sector has swung fast. Sustainability continues to be a critical objective for utilities, but evolving operational and geopolitical realities are driving a more balanced investment agenda. Decades of under-investment, coupled with rigid regulatory rate cases and an aging grid, have created an operational environment where reliability, resilience, and affordability must be addressed simultaneously."

Fortifying ageing assets against growing volatility

Hardening physical networks against extreme weather disturbances and cyber threats has quickly become the primary operational focus for utility providers. Decades of deferred maintenance are catching up with operators, driving organisations to scrutinise existing substations, power lines, and transformers rather than chasing greenfield schemes alone.

• 26% of utilities are actively re-evaluating asset portfolios to redirect investment into existing infrastructure.

• 49% of organisations admit operational data silos hinder real-time decision-making during volatility.

• 51% have asset management systems deployed that remain siloed with poor predictive capabilities.

• 33% of leaders consider their current asset lifecycle management capabilities to be advanced.

Bridging these foundational data divides is now considered essential. Without unified insight into equipment condition, network managers struggle to plan capital expenditure effectively or anticipate points of failure before outages disrupt communities.

The role of industrial AI in modern grid operations

Rather than treating digital tools as experimental, power companies increasingly rely on Industrial AI as an operational cornerstone. Executives view artificial intelligence as a practical bridge across fragmented data sets, automating workflows and anticipating equipment failures before service interruptions occur.

Cost management and capacity planning are leading drivers of this technology adoption:

• 57% of utility executives consider AI critical for reducing soaring operational expenditures.

• 47% rely on AI to optimise equipment performance and manage structural demand growth from electrification.

• 46% state artificial intelligence is essential for accelerating the integration of renewable and distributed energy resources.

As Carol Johnston explains:

"Utilities cannot invest their way out of today's challenges through new infrastructure alone. Addressing growing demand and affordability pressures requires a balanced strategy that gets more from existing assets while making smart investments in new capacity, grid modernization, and resiliency. Industrial AI provides the decision intelligence needed to optimize asset performance, maximize returns on capital, and maintain reliable service in an increasingly complex operating environment."

Engineering future clean baseload and storage

As traditional grid management approaches hit functional limits, operators are adopting flexible architectures to mitigate supply volatility. Deployments of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and Distributed Energy Resource Management Systems (DERMS) are expanding to absorb fluctuations and prevent widespread blackouts.

Looking further ahead, utility executives are assessing alternative technologies capable of securing firm, continuous baseload capacity. When questioned on which future innovations will deliver the greatest long-term impact on clean baseload generation, leaders pointed towards:

• Advanced geothermal energy (22%)

• Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) (18%)

Modern energy security ultimately relies on striking a viable compromise. By pairing unified asset lifecycle management with Industrial AI, utilities can defend aging assets, satisfy regulatory rate cases, and keep energy affordable without compromising long-term net-zero goals.

As the world grapples with the escalating impacts of climate change, the need for sustainable water management has never been more urgent.

At the forefront of this critical environmental issue is the drive to protect the most vulnerable members of society: children and families. Recognising that the next generation holds the key to long-term sustainability, a major initiative has been launched to harness youthful ingenuity.

The Abu Dhabi Youth Challenge 2026 has officially opened its applications, calling upon young innovators to tackle pressing water challenges. Designed to foster ideas that will build healthier communities where children can thrive, the programme offers expert mentorship and AED 40,000 in total prize money.

Placing Youth at the Heart of Environmental Strategy

The initiative arrives at a pivotal moment. The UAE, in partnership with the Republic of Senegal, is preparing to co-host the 2026 United Nations Water Conference in Abu Dhabi this December. In alignment with this summit, the challenge seeks to integrate the innovations of young people into the international conversation on water security.

His Excellency Dr. Yousef Al Hammadi, Executive Director of Knowledge and Impact, Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority, highlighted the core mission of the programme: “Every child deserves to access water and a healthy environment. As the UAE prepares to welcome the world to Abu Dhabi for the 2026 UN Water Conference, we have a real opportunity to put young people at the heart of this conversation. This challenge gives young innovators across the UAE a chance to turn their ideas into practical solutions that can help create healthier, more sustainable communities for children and families.”

A Pathway for Practical Innovation

Led by the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA) in partnership with the Khalifa Fund, the challenge serves as the youth-focused track of the ECA’s Anjal Z innovation programme. It is explicitly designed to empower young minds to apply entrepreneurial thinking to UAE priorities with potential for wider global impact.

Since 2020, the challenge has attracted over 800 applications and engaged more than 300 young people from diverse disciplines. Furthermore, it has provided participants with more than 50 internship opportunities at early childhood start-ups, establishing a direct pipeline into Abu Dhabi’s innovation ecosystem.

Four Pillars of Sustainable Water Management

To ensure a comprehensive approach to water conservation and community health, participants in the 2026 cohort will focus their efforts across four primary areas:

• Healthy Communities & Families: Exploring how to foster healthy hydration habits amongst children and families, and utilising water to support active lifestyles and general wellbeing in homes, schools, and public spaces throughout the UAE.

• Climate & Nature: Developing strategies to protect vital water resources, ecosystems, and biodiversity. This includes strengthening community resilience against the impacts of climate change to ensure a safe environment for young children.

• Smart Water & Sustainable Communities: Leveraging emerging technologies to optimise water management and significantly reduce waste. The goal is to build sustainable communities where children can grow and learn efficiently.

• Action & Impact: Transforming promising conceptual solutions into sustainable practices through robust collaboration, education, better policies, and active community participation to support the wellbeing of children and families.

From Concept to the Global Stage

Following a selection process, 50 applicants will be invited to an intensive three-day bootcamp in Abu Dhabi this November. Under the guidance of early childhood experts, sustainability specialists, and mentors, participants will test their concepts against community needs and pitch their ideas to judges.

From this group, up to seven exceptional teams will advance to a comprehensive three-week incubation phase. Here, they will refine their prototypes, test their solutions with potential end-users, and explore real-world applications.

The journey culminates at a Demo Day during the 2026 United Nations Water Conference, from 8 to 10 December. Finalists will pitch their solutions to a judging panel. Three winning teams will be selected, taking home AED 20,000 for first place, AED 13,000 for second, and AED 7,000 for third.

Young innovators eager to make a tangible impact on the future of water sustainability must submit their applications via the ECA website by the 5 November 2026 deadline.

Primary healthcare is undergoing a major global shift, moving beyond basic symptom management to serve as the frontline for preventive medicine, chronic disease management, and healthy longevity.

This evolution took centre stage on Thursday as the 9th Emirates Family Medicine Society (EFMS) Congress 2026 officially opened in Abu Dhabi. Held under the patronage and in the presence of H.H Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the event has gathered approximately 1,200 physicians and healthcare professionals alongside leading medical experts from 30 countries.

Running from 8 to 10 October at Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers, the three-day congress is organised by the Emirates Family Medicine Society, a member of the Emirates Medical Association. It provides a vital platform for international collaboration, scientific exchange, and professional development across primary healthcare.

Aligning primary care with theUAE's Year of the Family

As the first point of contact for patients, family physicians deliver continuous care across every stage of life. This foundational role carries particular weight in 2026, which has been designated as the UAE's Year of the Family. The national initiative highlights the leadership's dedication to strengthening social cohesion, care, stability, and family wellbeing to build a compassionate, resilient society.

In her opening address, Sheikha Dr. Noura Khalid Saqr Al Qasimi, President of the Emirates Medical Association, noted that the discipline is expanding into a cornerstone of early detection, preventive healthcare, and community health. The congress is designed to equip practitioners with the expertise, knowledge, and tools required to match rapid scientific advances while maintaining comprehensive, family- and patient-centred care.

"We are proud of the remarkable progress achieved by the Emirates Family Medicine Society over the years, establishing itself as an increasingly important professional platform for family physicians and healthcare professionals across the UAE and the region," she said.

"What began as a commitment to advancing family medicine has evolved into a vibrant professional community dedicated to education, collaboration and innovation to improve the health and wellbeing of our communities. As healthcare continues to evolve through advances in medical science, technology, digital health, prevention and personalised care, we must ensure that patients and families remain at the heart of everything we do."

Merging family practice with longevity science

To address everyday clinical challenges and support healthier, more sustainable communities, the programme features scientific abstract presentations and interactive discussions alongside more than 30 lectures, workshops, panel discussions, and scientific sessions delivered by approximately 30 specialists, physicians, and expert speakers.

Dr. Wadeia Mohammed Sharief, President of the Emirates Family Medicine Society and Congress Chair, explained that the gathering connects local, regional, and international expertise, helping practitioners adopt best practices and explore clinical developments that elevate healthcare quality.

"This year's congress coincides with the UAE's Year of the Family and is being held under the theme 'Family and Longevity', reflecting our wise leadership's vision to advance healthcare excellence and strengthen the UAE's position as a global destination for medical innovation," she said.

"Our approach to family health must be comprehensive, extending from prevention and early intervention to treatment, recovery and the promotion of long-term wellbeing."

Dr. Sharief added: "We are witnessing a fundamental transformation in healthcare. Medicine is no longer focused solely on treating disease, but increasingly on preventing illness, enhancing the body's ability to recover, and maintaining health and vitality throughout life.

"The integration of family medicine with regenerative medicine, stem cell therapies and longevity science is opening new possibilities for prevention and treatment, helping improve quality of life and extend the number of years people live in good health."

Key clinical topics and programme highlights

The scientific agenda covers a diverse spectrum of medical topics and healthcare advancements:

• Cardiometabolic and Chronic Conditions: Cardiovascular disease and risk assessment, diabetes, obesity, metabolic health, hypertension, and respiratory, kidney, and liver diseases, alongside a dedicated workshop on primary healthcare's contribution to cardiometabolic health.
• Neurological and Mental Health: Brain health, early detection of Alzheimer's disease, mental health, and personality disorders.
• Specialised Clinical Practice: Paediatric emergencies, dermatology, musculoskeletal conditions, allergies, hormone replacement therapy, and preoperative assessment for non-cardiac surgery.
• Healthcare Systems and Longevity: Evidence-based clinical practice, healthcare economics and management, lifestyle medicine for adding years to life and life to years, and a headline session titled "Unified Leadership, Stronger Communities: The Future of Family Medicine in the UAE".

Fostering inclusion and recognising excellence

The opening ceremony also delivered practical progress for inclusive healthcare, as H.H Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa bin Sultan Al Nahyan witnessed an agreement signed between Special Olympics UAE and the Emirates Family Medicine Society to provide medical support for People of Determination.

Additionally, distinguished healthcare professionals and physicians were honoured with awards across six categories:

• Academic and Educational Excellence

• Best Scientific Research

• Clinical Excellence

• Community Engagement

• Leadership and Recognition

• Digital Health Excellence

Alongside researchers, specialists, and senior healthcare executives from the UAE and abroad, the ceremony was attended by H.E. Talal Al Hashmi, National Director of Special Olympics UAE; Prof. Dr. Suleiman Mohammed Al Hammadi, Member of the Board of Trustees of the Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences; Dr. Sheikh Al Siddiq Badr; Dr. Maher Al Homsi, Adviser to the Secretary-General of the Arab Board of Health Specializations; Dr. Mohammed Al Azmi, President of the Gulf Association of Family Medicine; and Prof. Faisal Al Nasser, President of the World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA) Eastern Mediterranean Region.