Industrial AI Without Accountability: Why AI Initiatives Fail to Scale and How Energy Leaders Can Turn Innovation Into Impact

Steve Senterfit, President of Smartbridge, is an executive operator with more than 30 years of experience across oil & gas, technology, and professional services. He specializes in digital transformation, AI modernization, operational execution, and enterprise technology strategy, working with executive teams and boards to deliver measurable results in complex environments. His career includes global leadership roles at Halliburton Landmark Services and SAIC (now Leidos), along with consulting and SaaS leadership across 26 countries. Recognized for his practical approach to transformation and AI adoption, Steve focuses on building accountability, aligning people and technology, and ensuring digital initiatives deliver sustainable business outcomes.

In his session, “Industrial AI Without Accountability: Why AI Initiatives Fail to Scale and How Oil & Gas Leaders Can Turn Innovation Into Impact,” Steve will explore why significant investments in AI, automation, and advanced analytics often remain disconnected pilots rather than scalable drivers of operational performance. Drawing on more than three decades of transformation and technology leadership, he will examine the importance of clear ownership, governance, workforce adoption, and measurable business outcomes in scaling AI across oil & gas organizations. The session will provide practical insights into creating accountability frameworks that connect AI investments with operational priorities and turn innovation into sustainable, enterprise-wide impact.