Accenture launches generative AI studio in Houston, targets chemicals and energy companies

As both startups and established companies work on integrating generative artificial intelligence into their operations, Houston is adding more resources to ease the transition.

Accenture PLC launched generative AI studios in its innovation hubs around the country, with one in Houston. The move is part of the global professional services company's $3 billion investment into generative AI technology worldwide.

The local Generative AI Studio is inside Accenture’s Houston Innovation Hub at 1301 Fannin St., which is owned by Netrality Data Partners. Raymond Hodge, director of Accenture’s Houston Innovation Hub, confirmed to Houston Inno that the studios were active at launch and immediately available to any existing Accenture clients.

Each city’s hub is tailored to specific industries within that city, and Houston’s hub will specialize in chemicals, energy and utilities.

“[The studio] is very grounded in industry challenges and opportunities,” Hodge said. “With all of the digital assets we have, we can really home in on what they’re looking for, whether they’re working in preventative maintenance, carbon capture and sequestration, sustainability. It’s really thinking about generative AI and AI more broadly to support its goals.”

Generative AI creates content based off large data sets, distinguishing itself from “predictive” AI, which uses data to forecast events. In KPMG’s 2023 U.S. CEO Outlook Survey, 72% of CEOs said generative AI is a top investment priority despite the overall economic uncertainty. Additionally, 63% said they expect to see a return on their generative AI investments in three to five years, while 21% expect a return within three years.

Accenture’s most recent Pulse of Change survey found that most C-suite executives identified getting the data strategy right as the most significant challenge faced when adopting AI strategies.

Jorge Corral, Accenture’s Dallas lead, told Houston Inno that most of the current generative AI focus is on short-term productivity in existing roles and functions, but its long-term effect is expected to lead to entirely new types of jobs.

“When we think of generative AI, we think of it as 'human plus machine,' not 'human or machine,'” Corral said. “We really believe generative AI is going to create new jobs and new workflows for all of our clients. Driving productivity is just the immediate foundation for us.”

Hodge confirmed that Accenture had a team in place at each of its hub locations to assist clients with generative AI and did not anticipate any immediate hiring at its Houston location. Worldwide, Accenture is doubling its headcount of AI professionals, Corral said.

The other cities landing Accenture generative AI studios include Chicago, New York, San Francisco, Toronto and Washington, D.C.

The biggest Houston-area company looking to capitalize on growth in artificial intelligence is Spring-based software giant Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co. (NYSE: HPE). During a securities analyst meeting last month, HPE leadership predicted the total available market for AI, including infrastructure and services, would nearly triple from 2022 to 2026. HPE brought in over $7 billion in revenue in the third quarter of 2023, and growth in AI deals was identified as the most significant driver of revenue.

AI has also seen regulatory efforts spring up around the country, with 14 states and Puerto Rico either adopting resolutions or enacting legislation as of August. In Texas, the state passed legislation to create an Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council, while other bills that would establish studies on training workers in AI and restrictions in mental health failed to pass in the 2023 legislative session.