In today's rapidly evolving technological landscape, the energy-intensive industry is at a critical point of innovation and change. Technologies like artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and advanced data analytics are transforming industrial processes and resource use. This research explores the key drivers, obstacles, and economic impacts of digitalization and energy efficiency in the energy-intensive industry. It offers a detailed understanding of its journey toward digitalization by highlighting current efforts, challenges, and future directions for improving energy efficiency and sustainable practices. Further, it aims to uncover the forces behind digital transformation in the energy-intensive industry, identifying important drivers and examining barriers to digital technology adoption. A survey of industry professionals provides insights into the current state of digitalization, its effects on energy demand, primary drivers, obstacles, and future trends. Results show a strong push towards digitalization, especially in the steel and manufacturing sectors, driven by internal strategies and external support. Key drivers include better productivity, cost reduction, and increased competitiveness. Major obstacles are high initial costs, the need for skilled workers, leadership gaps, and outdated machinery. There is a clear link between digitalization and energy efficiency, with companies reporting financial savings and expecting more improvements through innovation.