Dawn James is a violinist, a geoscientist, a mom and a technology solutions professional. She could even help you understand how fluvial sedimentology works! But those descriptors only scratch the surface of the experience and expertise Dawn brings to her role as the U.S. director of sustainability and environmental services at Microsoft. On this episode of Electrifying AI, Dawn joins host Sal Gill to examine how analytics, artificial intelligence and cloud technologies are playing a role in the ongoing energy transition — and how players in the electricity industry can utilize them to ensure that no one is left behind. Plus, she shares her insight on why a tech company such as Microsoft, which is a strategic partner with SAS, is so invested in an equitable energy transition. At the end of their inspiring conversation, Dawn offers Sal her stirring suggestion for our Electrifying AI playlist on Spotify! Listen to her pick here, then make your recommendations for a song by tweeting @TheElectricSal. We just might include your song and send you some Electrifying AI swag to say thanks. Learn more at sas.com/utilities and check out additional episodes of Electrifying AI at sas.transistor.fm or on your favorite podcast platform.

Here are some of the resources we mentioned during the episode:

• Learn more about environmental sustainability at Microsoft
• Dawn James on: Twitter | LinkedIn
• Connect with Sal on: Twitter | LinkedIn
• Learn about Sal’s expertise
• Electrifying AI Spotify playlist
• SAS Energy & Utilities on the web
• Our new Electrifying AI landing page

Check out additional episodes of the Electrifying AI podcast series at sas.transistor.fm. 

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About our guest:

• Dawn James is the U.S. director of sustainability and environmental sciences for Microsoft, and she has a track record of excellence that includes prior work at Halliburton and the U.S. Geological Survey. An energy industry veteran, Dawn studied geology at Franklin & Marshall College and California State University, Northridge, as well as data science and big data analytics at MIT. Dawn is a violinist, a geoscientist, a mom and a technology solutions professional.

About our host:

• Sal Gill heads digital strategy and market innovation for SAS Energy & Utilities. He has worked for major energy companies and seen firsthand how electricity transforms lives, from bringing power to remote communities to pioneering innovations that will accelerate renewable technologies. As the global community continues to seek alternatives to satisfy its appetite for energy, Sal is constantly searching for new ideas that take advantage of both the electric grid, known as the largest machine humans have ever built, and the greatest enabler of our time, data analytics.

All presentations represent the opinions of the presenter and do not represent the position or the opinion of SAS.