Emerson Introduces First GenAI-Enabled Automation for Power and Water Industries

Ovation Virtual Advisor provides real-time intelligence to optimise operations and support resilient critical infrastructures.

Emerson, an industrial technology leader delivering advanced automation solutions, has announced the launch of the Ovation™ AI-enabled Virtual Advisor – the first generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) advisor integrated into an automation system specifically designed for the power and water industries. The addition of an AI-enabled virtual advisor as part of Emerson’s Ovation 4.0 Automation Platform delivers real-time insights to increase efficiency, detect anomalies, forecast maintenance issues and empower strategic decision-making.

Emerson’s Ovation Virtual Advisor embeds localised GenAI to provide dynamic system guidance and contextual support. The new solution helps users quickly gain access to Ovation system documentation, perform troubleshooting, proactively address maintenance issues and uncover optimisation opportunities – all through natural language interaction. As part of a growing suite of Emerson’s AI-based tools, the system capitalises on Emerson’s deep power and water domain expertise to enable future AI-powered insights to help optimize processes and equipment performance.

As they navigate greater demand, complexity and climate variability, operators of today’s critical infrastructure need intelligent systems to deliver reliable power and clean water. Using GenAI, our Ovation Virtual Advisor will help customers more efficiently manage these essential systems through clear operational awareness, automated routine tasks and advanced data analysis. Intelligent systems help improve reliability and extend the life of existing infrastructure, paving the way for more consistent, sustainable operations.

Bob Yeager, President of Emerson’s power and water solutions business

Secure by design, the advisor uses local, pre-trained AI models based on Emerson and customer-provided system information that capture qualitative behavior at the control layer to ensure safe and accurate results. The AI models that power the Ovation Virtual Assistant can be further customized and tuned by uploading domain-specific data and operator feedback – helping customers make better operational and business decisions to drive competitive advantage.

Emerson’s Ovation 4.0 platform with its GenAI-enabled Ovation Virtual Advisor can be provided for new and system upgrade projects. The technology will be showcased at the Ovation Users’ Group conference, 27-31 July 2025, in Pittsburgh.

About Emerson
Emerson is a global industrial technology leader that provides advanced automation. With an unmatched portfolio of intelligent devices, control systems and industrial software, Emerson delivers solutions that automate and optimise business performance. Headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, Emerson combines innovative technology with proven operational excellence to power the future of automation. 

For more information, visit Emerson.com