At Web Summit Qatar 2025, the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and energy took center stage as Dan Jeavons, VP of Digital Innovation at Shell, and Dr. Jack Lau, President of Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP), unveiled a groundbreaking initiative aimed at attracting startups to solve some of the most pressing challenges in the energy sector.
Shell & QSTP: A Powerful Collaboration for AI Innovation
The newly launched AI competition seeks to bring cutting-edge startups to Qatar to work on high-impact AI solutions tailored for the energy industry. Jeavons emphasized the transformational potential of AI in solving energy challenges, stating:
“We want to match really cool, innovative startups with great problem statements to drive transformation in the energy sector using AI.”
Dr. Lau echoed the enthusiasm, highlighting QSTP’s role as an innovation hub:
“This is exactly what QSTP is about—creating a platform for the best minds to come to Qatar and work on impactful problems. And, of course, collaborating with Shell is a major opportunity for startups to access world-class datasets and real-world challenges.”
What Kind of Startups & Ideas Are They Looking For?
Shell and QSTP aim to keep the problem statements broad to encourage creative AI-driven solutions. Startups with a passion for the energy sector, a drive to make a global impact, and the ability to apply AI innovations to real-world energy challenges are encouraged to participate.
Jeavons stressed the importance of fresh, innovative ideas:
“We don’t want to come up with all the ideas ourselves. We want to hear from startups—how they would solve these challenges using AI.”
Spreading the Word & Getting Involved
Dr. Lau noted that Shell and QSTP are investing in full-scale marketing to attract the best minds to the competition. However, he also called upon AI enthusiasts and tech media to help spread the word:
“We need platforms like Breaking AI News to help us reach the right audience. The more visibility we get, the greater the impact.”
Why AI & Energy Matter Now More Than Ever
The energy sector is undergoing rapid transformation, and AI is poised to play a crucial role in:
- Optimizing energy efficiency
- Predicting equipment failures
- Enhancing sustainability efforts
- Developing smarter energy management systems
Jeavons underscored the importance of launching the competition at this pivotal moment:
“AI is at a critical turning point, and if we can bring top AI startups to work on energy challenges that impact the world, it’s a massive win.”
A Call to Action for AI Innovators
For AI startups interested in applying their expertise to energy challenges, this initiative presents a unique opportunity to work with one of the world’s largest energy companies and Qatar’s leading innovation hub.
Dr. Lau encouraged startups to learn more through official channels, including the competition’s website and promotional campaigns.
As Web Summit Qatar 2025 continues to showcase breakthroughs in AI and technology, Shell and QSTP’s initiative stands out as an example of how AI can drive real-world impact in critical industries.
With AI reshaping industries at an unprecedented pace, this initiative is set to unlock transformative solutions for the future of energy—and the startups leading the charge will play a defining role in shaping that future.
