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Nearly 18 months after his controversial exit from oil giant BP, former chief executive Bernard Looney has been appointed chairman of ExpertAI, a sustainability-focused AI startup based in London.

The company is geared towards helping small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) lower emissions by facilitating easier access to local green suppliers and subsidies, as reported by .

Following the "serious misconduct" incident that led to his dismissal from BP for not disclosing past relationships with colleagues, Looney will now work alongside Dr Anand Verma, chief executive of ExpertAI, to propel the firm's º£½ÇÊÓƵ growth.

This role marks Looney's second venture into the AI industry since leaving BP; he joined Prometeus Hyperscale's board in the US last November.

His move into sustainable technology is a pointed deviation from BP's recent direction. Just last week, BP yielded to Elliott Management's activist investor pressure to abandon renewable energy projects in favour of increasing oil and gas output, mirroring similar pullbacks from climate commitments by Shell and Equinor.

On Tuesday, Looney highlighted ExpertAI's mission in a statement, saying: "It helps them grasp opportunities to grow their business and cut costs, all while reducing emissions. Exactly what they need, now more than ever."

He elaborated: "The energy transition must make economic sense if it is to succeed. This applies to businesses making investment decisions, shareholders directing capital, and customers choosing where to spend their money."

"That's why I said yes when Dr. Anand Verma-ExpectAI's Founder and CEO-asked me to take on the role of Chairman. ExpectAI's mission is clear: Higher Profits, Lower Emissions."