These days, businesses and industries are using artificial intelligence to improve operations across a broad spectrum, from marketing and content generation to talent recruitment and human resources. Unsurprisingly, business leaders are starting to think about ways AI can help them with what is increasingly becoming a critical consideration for organizations of all stripes: reducing their carbon footprint.
Doing as much as possible to improve the sustainability of their operations isn’t just the right thing for businesses to do; it’s also an initiative that’s drawing increased regulatory oversight from governments around the globe. Further, engaged consumers keep an eye on environmental, social and governance efforts when deciding which companies to patronize (or avoid). Below, 14 members of Forbes Technology Council discuss ways AI can help business and industry boost sustainability and, thereby, the bottom line.
1. Providing Coherent ESG Reporting
Although it’s in its early stages, generative AI has the potential to help businesses navigate the evolving territory of sustainability. Enterprise generative AI-based platforms not only track, measure and summarize business information more quickly and accurately, but also provide a coherent ESG reporting strategy across geographies. These tools help build confidence when it comes to tracking ESG progress. – Jeff Wong, EY
2. Making Recycling More Efficient
AI can be used in waste management and recycling processes to automate sorting, prevent contamination and predict maintenance needs. This improves recycling efficiency and adds to sustainability by promoting a circular economy. – Neelima Mangal, Spectrum North
Forbes Technology Council is an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology executives. Do I qualify?
3. Managing Supply Chains
AI-driven inventory optimization and execution can be used to reduce excess inventory, optimize transportation and enhance factory-supplier alignment and collaboration. This enables global manufacturers to align their operations around the priorities that matter for efficient production and on-time delivery. This, in turn, lowers waste and improves sustainability across the supply chain and in manufacturing. – Richard Lebovitz, LeanDNA
4. Inspecting Business Operations
By utilizing AI-powered drone technology equipped with environmental sensors, businesses can conduct real-time aerial inspections of their operations, identify pollution sources and assess ecological impact. This proactive approach empowers companies to address environmental issues swiftly, ensuring compliance with sustainability regulations and minimizing their carbon footprint. – Jagadish Gokavarapu, Wissen Infotech
5. Improving Material Discovery And Battery Design
In the fields of material discovery and digital chemistry, AI can provide accurate insights that help researchers predict chemical properties, allowing for better utilization of resources. It can also predict battery performance and stamina, thereby optimizing processes for sustainable energy production and energy storage. All this leads to conservation of resources and less waste generation. – AJ Abdallat, Beyond Limits
6. Tracking Regulatory Changes In Real Time
As ESG norms evolve globally, AI can assist firms in the real-time tracking of regulatory proposals and changes, ensuring adherence across regions. This proactive approach minimizes penalties and safeguards a company’s reputation. By ensuring compliance, not only do businesses meet legal standards, but leaders also demonstrate a commitment to sustainable and ethical practices. – Justin Goldston, Environmental Resources Management – ERM
7. Analyzing Sustainability Data
Consider the power of AI in analyzing big data. It’s like having a sustainability expert review every aspect of your operations 24/7, making recommendations on the fly to ensure you’re as green as possible. This continuous oversight means businesses can adapt and evolve sustainably in real time, staying ahead of potential environmental pitfalls. – Sandro Shubladze, Datamam
8. Predicting Equipment Life Cycles
Accurate life cycle predictions for equipment can significantly improve sustainability. Most companies have equipment that cannot be down at any time. Yet, it might be impossible to store replacements. Thus, perfectly good systems are scrapped or sold when the nominal end of life is reached. Improving life cycle predictions and utilizing systems longer can significantly reduce the impact of this practice. – Kevin Korte, Univention
9. Managing Power Used For IT Efforts
Operating IT is often an unconsidered issue in organizational sustainability efforts. Through AI, organizations can now forecast, with high degrees of accuracy, real estate capacity usage, software requirements and, most importantly, data center capacity. This allows an organization to move from reactive to proactive management of power, thereby better meeting sustainability targets. – Mark Brown, British Standards Institution (BSI)
10. Validating Computer Chips
Utilizing AI in pre-silicon chip validation boosts sustainability for semiconductor firms. Automated tests and anomaly detection streamline resource-heavy processes, speeding chip development. This efficiency minimizes resource consumption and waste, promoting a reduced environmental impact in chip manufacturing. – Suman Sharma, Procyon Inc.
11. Monitoring And Controlling Energy
Companies can leverage AI for sustainability by using it for real-time monitoring and control of energy and resource consumption. AI-powered systems can continuously analyze data from sensors and devices to optimize energy usage, water consumption and resources, reducing their waste and carbon footprints. AI can also help address environmental risks, ensuring companies meet sustainability goals effectively. – Deepak Gupta, Cars24 Financial Services (FinTech)
12. Leveraging Foundation Models
Companies embracing AI for sustainability can turn to foundation models that are trained on vast datasets and ready for immediate use. These off-the-shelf solutions reduce the energy consumption and carbon emissions linked to model training. Adopting such ready-to-deploy technologies accelerates green initiatives and underscores a marriage of innovation and eco-responsibility. – Amitkumar Shrivastava, Fujitsu
13. Sorting Trash And Recyclables
AI could be used to help employees sort their trash. It’s a task that can be confusing and stressful for various reasons, such as too many bins, different types of plastic and unfamiliar markings. An app that scans a trash item right in front of the bins and provides visual guidance and encouragement through a gamified design would be useful anywhere there’s a trash-sorting stand. – Konstantin Klyagin, Redwerk
14. Developing Sustainable Products
AI can be leveraged to develop sustainable new products. Large datasets can be analyzed to identify sustainable design and packaging for the shipment of these new products. AI can look for ways to use more renewable materials in the new product development process, aiding in improved sustainability. – Derek Martinez, Konica Minolta
Read the full article here
