Moving the Industry to a Visual Way of Working
Michael Hotaling, Technology Scouting, Innovations & Ventures Executive Advisor, ExxonMobil
Michael Hotaling, Executive Advisor for Technology Scouting, Innovations & Ventures at ExxonMobil, presented a compelling vision for transforming the way the energy industry operates. He advocated for a shift away from static, siloed systems toward a more connected, visual-first approach—one that enables real-time interaction with data and assets. In a landscape defined by growing complexity, heightened safety requirements, and the need to achieve more with fewer resources, Hotaling urged the industry to fundamentally rethink how it engages with information, technology, and people.
At the heart of his presentation was the concept of a unified digital reality ecosystem. By prioritising open standards, real-time data flows, geospatial awareness, and AI acceleration, ExxonMobil envisions a future where frontline workers, engineers, and operations leaders can work within integrated digital environments that mirror the real world—removing roadblocks, reducing risk, and enabling faster, smarter decision-making.
Rather than pursuing monolithic or one-off solutions, Michael Hotaling emphasised the need for scalable, modular systems that evolve with the business. He shared how ExxonMobil’s approach enables practical value—from faster turnaround planning and more resilient assets to streamlined workflows powered by AI-driven automation and improved data quality. He also introduced the Open Asset Digital Twin as a framework for collaboration between asset owners and suppliers, supporting innovation without locking organisations into proprietary ecosystems.
Michael Hotaling’s closing message was clear: visual ways of working are no longer aspirational—they are essential. The energy industry must come together around shared goals of interoperability, safety, and intelligent automation to realise a more agile, connected, and impactful future of work.
