AI as a driver of sustainability and corporate responsibility

Sustainable technology is a framework of technological solutions that seeks to reduce the environmental and social impact of processes, products and services, making efficient use of natural resources and favouring human development. Some benefits and applications of sustainable technology include:

• Optimal use of resources
• Reduced poverty and inequalities
• Improved access to information and education
• Reductions in the effects of global warming
• Climate risk forecasting
• Generation of lower maintenance costs

Sustainability is one of the main strategic vectors for companies, with Gartner research projecting that by 2027, 25% of CIOs will see their compensation related to sustainable technology impact.

Predictably, the emergence of AI is already beginning to have a significant impact on the promotion of sustainability and corporate social responsibility, and will become a tool to develop these solutions from as early as 2024.

AI: A responsible, efficient and sustainable tool

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a technology that has proven to be very useful in promoting sustainability and corporate social responsibility. AI can help companies reduce their environmental and social impact, improve their efficiency and productivity, and increase their transparency and accountability.

Firstly, AI can help companies reduce their environmental impact. For example, AI can be used to optimise energy and resource use, reduce waste and emissions, and improve energy efficiency. In addition, it allows real-time monitoring and prediction of the environmental impact of business operations and takes into account the impact of climate risks, enabling companies to take preventive and corrective measures to minimise their impact and improve their impact and improve their environmental resilience.

Secondly, AI can help companies improve their social responsibility. For example, it is used to visualise and assess the social impact of business operations, enabling social and community problems to be identified and addressed. AI is a means to improve corporate transparency and accountability, enabling consumers and other stakeholders to better understand business practices and make informed decisions. It also helps to improve occupational safety and risk prevention, and even medical care, with a direct impact on people’s lives.

Thirdly, AI can help companies improve their efficiency and productivity, leading to greater sustainability. For example, AI can be used to automate business tasks and processes, even taking into account weather predictions, allowing companies to reduce costs, improve the quality and speed of the processes, and free up resources for other business activities. Another example that we have already integrated into our day-to-day work is the prediction of traffic jams and suggestions for alternative routes, which not only facilitates mobility but also minimises its environmental impact. AI also improves business decision-making, enabling companies to make more informed and accurate decisions, such as in agriculture, for example, where AI can make irrigation and fertilisation more efficient, thanks to humidity, temperature and wind sensors.

Conclusions

AI is emerging as an essential ally for businesses in a world increasingly focused on sustainability and social responsibility. It proves to be a valuable tool for reducing environmental impact, improving social responsibility and boosting efficiency and productivity. AI can contribute to sustainable development by helping to predict errors and plan objectives.

As we have already seen, AI is now being used in a number of areas to improve sustainability and social responsibility. As it evolves, its role in promoting sustainability grows stronger, providing opportunities for a greener and more ethical future in the business world.

Combining AI with sustainable development will help all sectors to shape a better planet, meeting today’s needs without compromising future generations due to climate change or other major challenges.

Author: Gustavo Eduardo Sandoval Thiele, Head of AI, IoT & Smart Industry LoB