How AI Is Delivering Real Value for Cooperatives

In this Industry Insights interview, Nate Melby, vice president and chief information officer at Dairyland Power Cooperative in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, speaks with CFC’s Brian Sloboda about how his team has moved artificial intelligence (AI) from early experimentation to enterprise-wide impact. 

Melby discusses Dairyland’s development of a private AI platform designed specifically for cooperatives, enabling advanced analytics while protecting sensitive data. He highlights practical use cases, including summarizing complex datasets, detecting anomalies in billing and load data, and strengthening safety and cybersecurity insights. 

The conversation also explores the shift from generative AI to agentic AI, where autonomous systems can execute tasks and accelerate business processes. With examples of rapid application development and significant cost avoidance, this discussion offers a clear view of how cooperatives can identify high-value opportunities and begin their own AI journey.