Ember launches Labs, a new home for AI experiments

Ember today launches Ember Labs, a new platform where its energy analysts will publish prototype data tools co-created with AI.

Energy markets are shifting faster than ever, and Ember Labs helps get useful energy tools in the hands of decision-makers even faster.

Tools are released early and improved as feedback comes in, helping Ember learn what works and identify ideas that could help energy decision-makers use data more effectively.

“Labs gives our team the space to experiment with AI, test new ideas and find better ways to make energy data useful. Our analysts have increasingly embraced the role of makers, turning ideas into working prototypes and learning from feedback”, said Elain Tse, COO at Ember.

The tools that prove most useful for energy decision-makers will be prioritised for a full build to join Ember’s suite of data products. To join the suite, a tool must pass through Ember’s rigorous production process and meet its standards for data quality, reliability and usability. This includes ensuring that datasets are built on stable, comprehensive and quality-assured data pipelines and that interactive tools help users extract meaningful insights.

“We will continue to invest in creating world-class data products, as trusted evidence is even more essential in the AI era,” said Dr Emily Nurse, Ember’s data director. “Our data engineers and analysts combine deep energy-sector expertise with rigorous data validation and quality assurance to ensure our products provide reliable, robust evidence for decision-makers via easy-to-use tools and open datasets.”

Ember’s approach to AI

Beyond Labs, Ember has been exploring how AI can enhance its work while keeping human expertise, judgement and accountability at the centre. AI is helping the team develop and test ideas in new ways, but its use does not change Ember’s responsibility for the quality and originality of its work.

“Continuous innovation is central to Ember’s DNA, from how we analyse energy data to how we make it useful to decision-makers,” said Phil MacDonald, CEO of Ember. “AI gives us new opportunities to build on this, helping us work more effectively, explore new approaches and develop useful products more efficiently. The opportunity is to combine these new capabilities with the energy expertise, rigour and original thinking that underpin everything we do.”

Ember’s approach is guided by three principles:

• Quality: We use AI where it enhances our work, while keeping humans firmly in control to maintain accuracy and originality
• Transparency: We are transparent about where and how we are using AI
• Responsibility: We take responsibility for the quality and originality of our work and continue to evaluate how we use AI responsibly

From today, we’re publishing AI use disclosures on our reports and other outputs, and we’ve published an AI policy that sets out our approach to AI.