For decades, oil platforms have been designed to accommodate dozens to hundreds of professionals responsible for operating equipment, conducting inspections, and performing maintenance offshore. But artificial intelligence is expected to change that reality soon, says João Carlos Chachamovitz, CEO of Radix.

In an interview with Revolução IA, a NeoFeed program, he explained that the combination of AI, automation, and remote monitoring is paving the way for a new operational model in the oil and gas sector: platforms with fewer and fewer workers on board.

This will allow specialists who currently spend weeks at sea to monitor critical operations from land-based control centers or even from home. "Then we developed a project where we arrived at the question, 'how do I achieve zero personnel on a platform?'" says the CEO.

Fewer personnel on board mean less infrastructure and less exposure of workers to environments considered high-risk. Chachamovitz warns, however, that the adoption of artificial intelligence in critical operations requires a much higher degree of reliability than that found in consumer-oriented applications.

While a user can repeat a question to ChatGPT when they receive an incorrect answer, a refinery doesn't have that option. "Imagine a plant in an industry, in a refinery, where if you reach a temperature above a certain value, you could explode, catch fire," says the executive.

With 16 years of experience, Radix has built a global presence, operating not only in the oil and gas sector, but also in mining, pulp and paper, among others. Due to the complexity, the CEO explains that the implementation of AI in industry usually involves long-term projects and rigorous validation processes. Conversely, when successful, there is a significant increase in operational efficiency, with substantial financial gains.

At a paper mill, for example, Radix managed to drastically reduce operational interruptions. "The paper mill managed to reduce the number of paper breakages by 60%," he says.

Another example was the implementation of artificial intelligence on some subway lines in São Paulo and the United States. The solutions continuously monitor motors, doors, air conditioning systems, and other critical equipment to anticipate failures and prevent service interruptions. "The big cost is not repairing. The big cost is when the asset is out of service," he says.