Modernizing the Electric Grid with Remote Intelligence Solutions
Behind the Scenes: How Our Engagment with MIT CSAIL Alliances is Accelerating Applied AI for Electric Utilities
A personal look at how Remote Intelligence Solutions is working with MIT to modernize electric transmission and distribution infrastructures.
This week, we’re excited to share that Remote Intelligence Solutions (RIS) has been featured in a spotlight article by MIT’s CSAIL Alliances. The piece explores how we’re using applied AI to help utilities inspect and manage critical infrastructure more efficiently and safely. But this isn’t just a media moment — it’s a reflection of the relationships, research, and real-world relevance behind our mission.
Why MIT’s CSAIL?
Our co-founder Stuart Rudolph grew up around the corner from MIT. When RIS launched, it was only natural for us to seek out a partner that’s synonymous with innovation in computing and AI. We were fortunate to connect with CSAIL Alliances, and even more fortunate to be welcomed by a community that truly understands how to bridge research and application.
From day one, this partnership has been about mutual learning — and shared purpose. CSAIL researchers are helping us push the boundaries of what’s possible, while we bring a real-world, high-impact use case to their cutting-edge methods.
Real Conversations. Real Research.
Thanks to the introduction and support of Christiana Kalfas, Senior Client Relations Coordinator at CSAIL, we’ve been able to open direct channels with faculty leading some of the most relevant research to our space:
- Prof. Fredo Durand – bringing deep insights into imaging and motion that inform our inspection algorithms
- Prof. Sara Beery – whose work on vegetation detection intersects directly with grid reliability and wildfire prevention
- Prof. Manolis Kellis – whose Mantis software could help us predict and classify recurring anomalies across asset types
These are not theoretical discussions. They’re active explorations of how to make utility inspection more scalable, predictive, and intelligent.
A Community That Shares Our Vision
One of the best parts of working with CSAIL is being surrounded by both startups and global leaders who are all thinking about AI’s real-world application — not just the next trend, but the next solution.
RIS is proud to contribute to this environment and to represent the practical, applied end of the spectrum. As our co-founder Janet Ahlgren put it:
“We’re past the dreaming stage. We know what the problems are — and we’re applying AI to solve them now.”
More Than a Feature: It’s Momentum
Being highlighted by MIT CSAIL is meaningful validation. But more than that, it’s a moment of momentum. We’re scaling our platform, onboarding new utility partners, growing our dataset, and expanding our AI capabilities — while keeping one foot firmly planted in the workflows and challenges of our clients.
We’ve also launched on AWS Marketplace, and we’re working closely with EPRI datasets to advance machine vision, machine learning, AI and standardize industry-wide labeling. These are small steps toward a bigger goal: a safer, smarter, more resilient grid.
Join the Journey
If you’re a utility leader, a researcher, or simply someone passionate about AI for good; we’d love to connect. This is just the beginning, and we’re eager to keep learning, building, and solving alongside our partners.