At DISTRIBUTECH International 2026 in Dubai, IFS took a decisive step toward redefining the future of utility operations with the launch of IFS Nexus Black Resolve for Utilities a next‑generation AI solution engineered for one of the world’s most strained sectors. Designed specifically for the high‑stakes environment of power and water utilities, Resolve promises to tackle three of the industry’s most costly challenges: workforce shortages, aging infrastructure, and the escalating frequency of extreme weather.
Unlike generic AI tools crafted for office workflows, Resolve is built for the technicians, planners, and emergency crews who restore essential services under intense pressure. By integrating industrial‑grade AI with IFS’s proven Field Service Management platform, the solution enables utilities to deploy innovation not in months or years, but in weeks without compromising on reliability or security.
““With Resolve, we’re giving utilities AI they can trust—practical, fast, and built for the realities of the field.”
— Carol Johnston, Vice President, Energy & Utilities, IFS
At the core of Resolve is a suite of intelligent capabilities that reshape how utilities respond to crises and manage day‑to‑day operations. Its Intelligent Crew Callout system automates complex coordination during storms, floods, or wildfires, freeing planners to focus on higher‑level decision‑making. Meanwhile, its Mutual Aid technology enables seamless resource sharing between utilities when major disasters strike an increasingly crucial need as climate‑driven weather events intensify.
Carol Johnston, Vice President for Energy & Utilities at IFS, emphasized the urgency behind the innovation: “Utilities are navigating an increasingly complex operating environment from workforce constraints to extreme weather and grid modernization. Nobody understands the utilities market like IFS, and it’s this industry‑specific application of AI that enables providers to radically improve efficiencies and deliver better moments of service.”
“When lives are on the line, safe, reliable AI isn’t optional it’s everything.”
— Kriti Sharma, CEO, IFS Nexus Black
For front‑line responders, the value is tangible. “Every minute matters,” said Brian Burdette, Emergency Management Supervisor at SoCalGas. “A solution like this could help cut restoration times by getting crews to the right places with the right equipment before the event even hits.”
Kriti Sharma, CEO of IFS Nexus Black, underscored the mission at the heart of Resolve:
“This is AI designed for the workers who restore power in treacherous conditions. When lives are on the line, safe, reliable AI isn’t optional it’s everything.”
With Resolve for Utilities, IFS stakes a bold claim at the intersection of industrial AI and essential infrastructure promising faster recovery, smarter operations, and more resilient communities.
