An Austrian-based tech startup has been utilizing AI to provide a smoother and more stable power supply, as renewable energy quickly becomes the preferred power source for nations.
As Europe increases its green energy capacity by installing wind turbines and solar panels, challenges have emerged due to the weather dependency of these sources. Even small fluctuations -- a cloud blocking the sun or a brief period of too little wind -- can destabilize power networks.
However, these problems can be mitigated with intelligent management. Clemens Wasner, founder of the AI Enlite, uses AI learning to stabilize power grids, and the system can react faster and evaluate more options than operators switching the grid manually.
"In case a blackout might happen, our solution can go 60 percent longer than, let's say, normal manual switching," said Wasner.
The AI agent can predict overloads and suggests the fastest way to restore balance. Wasner gave a demonstration from his computer desk.
"This part of the grid is overloaded, so it is telling you if you switch these three stations, the overload here and here will vanish. It's a little bit like traffic routing," he said.
So far, the company has worked with power grid operators in France and the Netherlands. Wasner said he hopes more countries will embrace his AI solution to strengthen the resilience of their electricity networks, noting that he learned much of his foundational knowledge from Chinese experts.
"I spent 10 years in Asia, a long time also in Beijing in China, and I saw how AI is picking up in China. So, when I returned to Austria in 2016, the idea was to create a company that is applying and rolling out AI to real-world use cases," the tech-startup founder said.
Austrian startup leverages AI to stabilize green-energy power supply
Business leaders, researchers and entrepreneurs from around the world gathered at the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC), where discussions are focusing on turning AI innovation into cross-border partnerships and real-world applications.
The 2026 WAIC is running in Shanghai from Friday to Monday under the theme "AI Partnership for a Brighter Future."
Across the exhibition halls, conversations often extended beyond product demonstrations, with visitors exploring potential partnerships, supply chains and overseas expansion.
Among them was Paolo Brizzi, chief information officer of Italy's Competence Center for Industry and Manufacturing (CIM), who met with a Chinese AI company to discuss cooperation ranging from industrial applications to entering the European market.
"My point is not to be a customer or a provider of technologies, but to identify parts [where we can] actually collaborate and work together," he said.
The four-day conference has also created opportunities for startups to connect with investors, researchers and potential customers. One startup launched an online networking group on the opening day, attracting hundreds of participants who exchanged ideas, explored business opportunities and sought technical solutions.
Participants said AI innovation depends not only on technological breakthroughs but also on cooperation across industries and countries.
"Collaboration is important because alone you cannot do so much. It needs to be a team support ecosystem," said Florian Wohlrab, CEO of Canada-based OpenHW Foundation.
For many international visitors, the conference is also an opportunity to explore how AI can help address practical challenges. Omar Khan, a participant from Pakistan, said international cooperation is essential to ensuring AI benefits everyone.
"I think, for me, we are all the one. We're human and I think we can cooperate a lot," he said.
Some attendees were looking for solutions to challenges in their home countries. A visitor from Kenya said AI applications such as weather forecast and soil analysis could help improve agricultural productivity across many parts of Africa, where farming remains a cornerstone of the economy.
As countries race to advance AI technologies, participants at this year's WAIC said the conference has become a platform for connecting ideas, technology and demand across borders, helping turn AI innovation into practical international cooperation.
World AI Conference highlights growing demand for global AI partnership
