In this episode of National Energy Talk, host Mark Stansberry sits down with Jon Brewton, Founder and CEO of Data Squared (data²), for an in-depth conversation on artificial intelligence - what it can realistically deliver, and what organizations need to understand before investing in it.

🎧 Listen to the full episode now: Jon Brewton Discusses Key Questions When Addressing AI

Jon draws on his background as an engineer and strategy advisor with BP and Chevron, as well as his experience building AI systems in defense, intelligence, and energy environments, to offer a grounded, practitioner's perspective on the current AI landscape.

The conversation covers the rapid evolution of AI from experimental research to commercial deployment since 2022, and why so many enterprise AI initiatives are falling short of expectations. Jon explains that the most common barriers to success aren't technical - they're organizational. Data quality, governance, clear problem definition, and accountability are the real determinants of whether an AI program creates value or risk.

Jon also addresses the shifting media narratives around AI - from generative AI, to agentic systems, to artificial general intelligence - and explains why understanding the economic incentives driving those narratives helps leaders make smarter decisions about AI investment.

Key takeaways from the episode include data²'s patented approach to eliminating AI hallucinations and delivering fully traceable, auditable, and explainable AI (eXAI) outcomes, as well as a practical three-question framework any leader can use when evaluating AI solutions:

1. Where does the data come from, and who is accountable for it?

2. What happens when the system is wrong?

3. Does this solution scale trust, or scale risk?

Whether you are just beginning to explore AI or actively managing enterprise deployments, this episode provides the context and clarity needed to move forward with confidence.