Here at MISO, digital transformation is a constant balancing act: how do we maintain critical legacy systems while also investing in modernization and innovation? In a recent conversation with Nirav Shah, vice president and chief digital and information officer at MISO, he shared insights as to how MISO is advancing digital transformation in a way that honors its legacy while preparing for tomorrow’s challenges.

"Every company has legacy technology," Shah explains. "It's a balancing act to keep the lights on while also investing in transformation. That balance is one of the most exciting and challenging aspects of my job." Moreover, strategic modernization should not be about “ripping and replacing”. At MISO, legacy systems continue to play a vital role in grid reliability, but our digital teams are also focused on how to strategically evolve: how to bring in modern platforms and model architectures to increase agility, resilience and intelligence across the organization.

Shah notes that the real challenge lies in how quickly MISO can adopt and operationalize technology such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and generative AI.

"We operate in a highly complex, deterministic industry. Moving toward probabilistic models is a big challenge, but it’s a necessary shift," he says. "These technologies can be massively beneficial. We need our people and processes ready to adopt them at a much faster pace."

What excites Shah is that he believes AI isn’t here to replace people, but to empower them. “I never believed—and this is my personal philosophy—that AI or generative AI is here to replace jobs. That’s a myth, to be honest with you,” he says. “Humans plus AI will always outperform AI alone.” For Shah, the true shift isn’t about human versus machine. It’s about how people learn to use these tools to amplify their own value. “What’s going to be replaced are the roles held by those who don’t understand or leverage the technology, not by the technology itself,” he adds. “If we don’t adapt, if we don’t consider these tools as collaborators, we risk falling behind. But if we do adapt, the potential is remarkable.”

Shah is encouraged by the early signs of AI momentum across MISO. From hallway conversations to all-hands meetings, there’s growing curiosity around AI adoption at MISO. "That kind of energy tells me we’re on the right path," he says. To fuel this transformation, Shah emphasizes the need to reduce the fear of failure. “People shouldn’t be afraid to try,” he says. "We talk a lot about failure, but it should be viewed as a learning tool. There’s nothing like failure. Don’t worry too much about the results or outcomes. Just be open to it.” Creating this culture of courageous curiosity is essential as MISO continues to experiment with advanced digital solutions that can improve forecasting, grid reliability and decision-making.

Innovation at MISO is also about investing in people. Shah points to strategic collaborations with universities and research institutions, both local and national, as critical to MISO’s success. Initiatives like the AI partnership with Nvidia exemplify how MISO is investing in more than just tools. "We’re going to attract and retain talent in the AI and machine learning space," he adds. "Our partnerships are going to be great for us and great for our future.”

MISO is navigating digital transformation and the path to innovation through bold thinking, bold change and balanced execution. Balancing the digital tightrope, as Shah puts it, “Is fun. It’s challenging. And it’s exactly where we need to be.”

Nirav Shah: Reflecting on first year at MISO on Vimeo