Buzz and Beyond

What happens after the flight?
 
In this presentation from AEP Drone Days 2026, Brandon Bozarth, Director of Solutions at Buzz Solutions, explores how utilities can transform inspection imagery into actionable intelligence that improves reliability, strengthens asset management, and supports better operational decisions.
 
Hosted by AEP Ohio at Columbus State Community College, AEP Drone Days brought together utility leaders, drone innovators, and technology providers to discuss the future of utility inspections.
 
In this session, Brandon shares how AI has evolved beyond simply detecting defects to becoming a trusted part of utility operations. He also walks through Buzz Solutions' work with AEP Texas, discusses what utilities should look for when evaluating AI platforms, and explains how integrating AI with GIS, asset management, and existing utility workflows helps turn inspection data into meaningful action.
 
In this presentation:
 
⚡ What happens after the flight and why it matters
⚡ The evolution of AI for utility inspections
⚡ Building trust in AI-powered inspection programs
⚡ Lessons learned from Buzz Solutions' AEP Texas case study
⚡ Evaluating AI platforms for long-term success
⚡ Integrating AI with GIS and utility workflows to improve reliability
 
Speaker: Brandon Bozarth
Director of Solutions, Buzz Solutions
 
Event: AEP Drone Days 2026
Host: AEP Ohio
Location: Columbus State Community College
Presentation Date: July 23, 2026
 
Connect With Us:
🚀 Request a demo today! Demos sign up: https://hubs.li/Q03zr2x-0
🔗 Learn more about Buzz Solutions: https://www.buzzsolutions.co
⚡ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/buzzsolutionsinc./

As utilities adopt AI to modernize inspections and improve grid reliability, cybersecurity has become one of the most important considerations when evaluating new technology.
 
In this episode of Buzz & Beyond, Brandon Bozarth, Director of Solutions at Buzz Solutions, is joined by Senior Solutions Engineer Jon Day to discuss the cybersecurity questions they hear most often from utility customers. Together, they explore common misconceptions about AI, what utilities should look for in a secure AI platform, and the standards and best practices that help protect critical infrastructure.
 
Whether you're evaluating AI vendors or simply looking to better understand cybersecurity in utility operations, this conversation offers practical insights into building trust, protecting sensitive data, and deploying AI responsibly.
 
In this episode:
Why cybersecurity is a top priority for utilities adopting AI
The difference between generative AI and computer vision AI
Common questions utilities ask about data privacy
How customer data is protected
Cloud security and encryption best practices
The importance of SOC 2, ISO 27001, and secure infrastructure
What utilities should evaluate before selecting an AI vendor
 
Host: Brandon Bozarth, Director of Solutions, Buzz Solutions
 
Guest: Jon Day, Senior Solutions Engineer, Buzz Solutions
 
Connect With Us:
🚀 Request a demo today! https://hubs.li/Q03zr2x-0
🔗 Learn more about Buzz Solutions: https://www.buzzsolutions.co
⚡ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/buzzsolutionsinc./

How difficult is it to implement AI for utility inspections?
In this episode of Buzz & Beyond, host Nicole Estevez, Jr. Marketing Associate at Buzz Solutions, sits down with Richard Mejia, Lead PMO at Buzz Solutions, to discuss what implementation actually looks like for utilities adopting AI-powered inspection workflows.
From onboarding and IT involvement to drone program maturity and training requirements, Richard shares practical insights from helping utilities move from pilot projects to production deployments.
Whether your team is operating hundreds of drones or just getting started with a pilot and a few assets, this conversation offers a realistic look at the path to implementation.
Connect With Us:
🚀 Request a demo today! https://hubs.li/Q03zr2x-0
🔗 Learn more about Buzz Solutions: https://www.buzzsolutions.co
⚡ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/buzzsolutionsinc./

In this recorded webinar, Buzz's Director of Solutions, Brandon Bozarth, sits down with Chris Ott, Director of Critical Security Solutions at WSP, to discuss the biggest security challenges facing utilities today. Drawing on more than two decades of experience in the power and energy industry, Chris shares insights on drone threats, perimeter protection, thermal detection technologies, false alarm reduction, and the growing role of AI in physical security.
 
The conversation explores how utilities can better protect substations and other critical assets while balancing emerging technologies, regulatory considerations, and operational realities.
 
Topics include:
⚡ Physical security challenges across the utility industry
⚡ Drone threats and the evolving risk landscape
⚡ Thermal detection and false alarm reduction
⚡ Security technologies for substations and critical infrastructure
⚡ AI and analytics in utility security
⚡ The future of physical security for utilities
 
Connect With Us:
🚀 Request a demo today! https://hubs.li/Q03zr2x-0
🔗 Learn more about Buzz Solutions: https://www.buzzsolutions.co
⚡ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/buzzsolutionsinc./

What does it take to modernize utility inspections at scale?
 
In this panel from the Energy Drone & Robotics Summit, Brandon Bozarth of Buzz Solutions sits down with utility leaders to discuss how drones, AI, and data-driven workflows are transforming inspection programs across the electric utility industry.
 
The conversation explores the real-world challenges utilities face, from managing massive volumes of inspection data and addressing workforce transitions to turning field observations into actionable maintenance decisions. Panelists share lessons learned from their modernization journeys, practical use cases for AI, and how emerging technologies are helping teams improve reliability, efficiency, and asset management.
 
Topics include:
⚡ Modernizing utility inspection programs
⚡ AI-assisted asset inspections
⚡ Managing and analyzing large-scale inspection data
⚡ Workforce knowledge retention and training
⚡ Turning inspection findings into actionable maintenance work
⚡ Drone technology in transmission and distribution inspections
⚡ Improving reliability through data-driven decision-making
 
Panel:
- Brandon Bozarth, Buzz Solutions - Director of Solutions (Moderator)
- Garrett Scott, Duke Energy - Chief Pilot, UAS
- Slade Bridges, GeoIntel & Solutions Program Manager - Southern Company
- Grant Pence, UAS Lead - Duquesne Light & Company
 
Connect With Us:
🚀 Request a demo today! https://hubs.li/Q03zr2x-0
🔗 Learn more about Buzz Solutions: https://www.buzzsolutions.co
⚡ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/buzzsolutionsinc./

How do you actually scale AI from a pilot to a mission-critical program in the utility industry?
In this episode of Buzz and Beyond, CEO and co-founder of Buzz Solutions, Kaitlyn Albertoli, joins us to break down what it really takes to move from experimentation to full-scale transformation. From navigating risk and IT barriers to aligning technology with real-world operations, Kaitlyn shares what separates successful AI deployments from the ones that stall.
We dive into the realities of adoption inside utilities and why innovation only works when technology is paired with deep subject matter expertise. Kaitlyn also explores how utilities are taking a leading role in shaping the future of AI and why governance is becoming the foundation for scaling across the grid.
 
Key Highlights:
⚡ The Augmentation Mindset: Why AI is designed to support teams, not replace them.
⚡ Utility-Led Innovation: How utilities are driving the next wave of technology forward.
⚡ Scaling with Structure: The critical role of governance in moving beyond pilots.
⚡ Bridging the Gap: Aligning AI with operational workflows and field expertise.
⚡ From Data to Decisions: Turning insights into real, actionable outcomes.
 
Subscribe to Buzz and Beyond: Catch every episode on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
 
Connect With Us:
🔗 Website: www.buzzsolutions.com
🔗 Request a demo today! https://hubs.li/Q03zr2x-0 
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/18107167/admin/dashboard/
🔗 Follow Vik Chaudhry: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vikhyatchaudhry/ 

How do you move from "cool tech" to a mission-critical enterprise program? In this episode of Buzz and Beyond, Vik Chaudhry joins us to discuss the true requirements for scaling AI-driven inspections in the utility sector.
We dive into the reality of the "data explosion"—where a single inspection can generate 150,000+ images—and how Buzz Solutions is turning two-year manual review cycles into 12-hour automated wins. From vetting the right ROI metrics to building trust with field teams, Vik provides a masterclass in bridging the gap between technology and business value.
Key Highlights:
The Funding Shift: Why now is the prime time for utility innovation.
The 150k Image Milestone: Processing 45,000 towers in just 12 hours with Buzz.
Beyond Accuracy: Measuring delivery speed and true business ROI.
The "Crawl, Walk, Run" Approach: Building trust and alignment with stakeholders.
Future-Ready Strategy: Moving from reactive to proactive maintenance.
 
Subscribe to Buzz and Beyond: Catch every episode on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
 
Connect With Us:
🔗 Website: www.buzzsolutions.com
🔗 Request a demo today! https://hubs.li/Q03zr2x-0 
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/18107167/admin/dashboard/
🔗 Follow Vik Chaudhry: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vikhyatchaudhry/ 

Is the biggest obstacle to grid modernization technology, or is it culture? ⚡️
In this episode of Buzz & Beyond, host Nicole Estevez sits down with Seth Hutcherson, VP of Sales at Buzz Solutions, to discuss the leadership required to drive true transformation in the utility industry.
While many look to AI for grid reliability, Seth explains why organizational alignment and a "safety-first" mindset are the real keys to success. Drawing on his experience from the early days of drone robotics at Verizon Skyward IO to today’s AI-driven visual intelligence, Seth shares a roadmap for leaders navigating the future of energy infrastructure.
In this episode, we explore:
The "Early Days" of Drones: How the industry shifted from experimental flights to scalable data capture.
Leading Through Change: Why organizational alignment is the most critical tool for introducing AI.
Safety as a Driver: Using robotics to remove humans from "harm's way" during dangerous inspections.
The Future of the Grid: Moving from reactive repairs to predictive maintenance with PowerAI.
Subscribe to Buzz & Beyond for deep dives with the experts, partners, and leaders shaping the next generation of grid intelligence.
Buzz & Beyond is a podcast from Buzz Solutions focused on helping utility leaders modernize operations and prepare for the future of energy infrastructure.
 
Connect With Us:
🔗 Website: www.buzzsolutions.com
🔗 Request a demo today!: hubs.li/Q03zr2x-0
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/18107167/admin/dashboard/
🔗 Follow Seth Hutcherson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seth-hutcherson/

In this premiere episode of Buzz & Beyond, Buzz Solutions Head of Marketing Steven Watt sits down with ML Lead Nick Libertini to demystify the mechanics of AI-driven transformation. Moving beyond the hype, they explore the technical "under the hood" requirements for turning millions of raw images into a resilient, self-healing grid.
Key Takeaways:
The Data Foundation: Why a "strong dataset" is the only thing standing between a failed pilot and a scaled solution.
Actionable Analytics: How leading utilities are moving from "finding faults" to "forecasting failures."
The Transformation Roadmap: Practical advice for deploying ML models across complex, legacy infrastructure.
Buzz & Beyond is a podcast from Buzz Solutions focused on helping utility leaders modernize operations and prepare for the future of energy infrastructure.
 
Connect With Us:
🔗 Website: www.buzzsolutions.com
🔗 Request a demo today!: hubs.li/Q03zr2x-0
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/18107167/admin/dashboard/
🔗 Follow Seth Hutcherson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/libertini/