TotalEnergies & Mistral Advancing AI Energy Transition
TotalEnergies, the French multinational energy company, has announced a collaboration with Mistral AI, a Paris-based AI startup.
This collaboration is to accelerate the deployment of AI technologies across TotalEnergies’ operations with a focus on renewable energy development and carbon emissions reduction as part of the oil giant's broader transition strategy.
To do this, the companies will establish a joint innovation laboratory staffed by teams from both companies.
TotalEnergies’ and Mistral AI’s targets together
Mistral AI, which develops large language models (LLMs) and AI infrastructure, will provide its AI technologies whilst TotalEnergies contributes its expertise in energy production, particularly in renewable and low-carbon sectors.
The laboratory will initially focus on three core applications.
- Design an assistant for its 1,000 researchers to support TotalEnergies’ work on new energy technologies and environmental footprint reduction.
- Develop decision-support solutions to enhance the performance of its industrial assets while reducing CO₂ emissions
- Implement support solutions aimed at improving the customer experience and helping consumers reduce energy consumption
Mistral AI bringing Gen AI to the energy sector
Mistral AI, founded in 2023 by former Google DeepMind and Meta researchers, has raised significant funding to compete with American AI giants and positions itself as a European alternative to OpenAI and Anthropic.
The partnership addresses digital sovereignty concerns within Europe by examining opportunities for TotalEnergies to adopt European AI infrastructure rather than relying on American or Chinese technologies.
As a result, the collaboration will test digital solutions for renewable energy production alongside other industrial applications.
TotalEnergies has previously deployed AI primarily in earth sciences and predictive maintenance systems.
Machine learning (ML) algorithms have already been used to detect equipment issues across the company's facilities, which span oil and gas production, refining and renewable energy generation.
Digital factory expanding AI applications beyond traditional uses
TotalEnergies’ Digital Factory, which marks its fifth anniversary this year, employs 300 developers, data scientists and digital specialists.
The unit has developed over 100 solutions, with 60 incorporating ML and Gen AI technologies.
AI now plays a central role in TotalEnergies’ strategy for developing new opportunities in renewable energy production and innovative customer services – viewing AI as essential for helping customers control and optimise their energy consumption patterns.
“We are delighted to work with Mistral AI, a leading French player in AI,” says Patrick Pouyanné, Chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies.
“This deal reflects our intention to contribute to the emergence of a technological ecosystem in Europe and will allow us to explore new opportunities to further embed AI into our activities.
“AI has huge potential to transform energy systems, and this partnership was motivated by our pioneering spirit and ongoing search for innovation.”
Arthur Mensch, CEO at Mistral AI adds: “This partnership illustrates the positive impact Gen AI can have on a sector as strategic as that of TotalEnergies.
“By dedicating our AI solutions and experts to the R&D effort, the operational teams and, ultimately, the Company's customers, we are contributing to improved operations and the digital transition of this global energy giant.”
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