Did you know that you can use AI to help reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by 4% by 2030? That's equal to 2.4Gt CO2e - equivalent to the 2030 annual emissions of Australia, Canada and Japan combined!
Let's explore how AI-driven businesses are leading the charge toward a more sustainable future and the amazing benefits they bring along the way. And get ready to dive into the world where AI and sustainability join forces to create a greener, smarter planet!
Boosting Efficiency and Cutting Waste
AI technology helps companies optimise their processes, leading to significant reductions in waste and energy consumption. Google has been matching 100 percent of its global electricity use with purchases of renewable energy since 2017.
But they don't want to just stop there. They are taking it a step further with their carbon-intelligent computing platform, which uses AI to shift computational tasks to data centres in regions with the most available carbon-free energy at any given time, optimising their energy usage. By doing so, Google is on track to decarbonize their electricity use entirely by 2030.
Enhancing Renewable Energy Management
Renewable energy is fantastic, but managing it can be tricky. Siemens Gamesa, a leader in renewable energy, uses AI to predict weather patterns and optimise the performance of wind turbines. They are also venturing into innovative projects that incorporate artificial intelligence and gamification. These initiatives include developing an AI algorithm to eliminate even minor defects in wind turbine blade production, utilising satellites for real-time wind farm monitoring, and creating interactive learning programs for factory processes. All of this can ensure maximum energy production with minimal environmental impact.
Sustainable Agriculture
Agriculture is another field where you can use AI to grow (pun intended).
Companies like John Deere are using AI to create precision agriculture tools. Their ‘See & Spray’ technology uses high-resolution cameras to capture 20 images per second. The system, powered by AI, distinguishes between crops and weeds based on these images, allowing for precise treatment of individual plants. This innovative approach to weed control significantly reduces the need for pesticides. This AI technology hence helps farmers use water, fertilisers, and pesticides more efficiently, which leads to healthier crops and less environmental damage.
Smarter Supply Chains
Supply chains can be long and complex, but AI can drastically help streamline them, reducing carbon footprints.
IBM is a great example of a company that uses AI to create more efficient logistics and transportation models, cutting down on emissions and improving delivery times. This means products get where they need to go faster and greener!
AI and machine learning can enhance supply chain visibility by tracking and analysing data throughout the value chain. This improved visibility aids in better risk management and decision-making, reducing the impact of global disruptions.
Blockchain technology can boost traceability with secure, transparent transaction records, which is especially beneficial for verifying sustainable sourcing and ensuring social sustainability.
Apart from this, innovations like IoT devices can help monitor and control energy usage in supply chain operations, leading to lower greenhouse gas emissions. They can also provide real-time data for audits and compliance checks. Additionally, software solutions and digital platforms foster collaboration among supply chain stakeholders, offering actionable insights based on real-time data and metrics.
Reducing Carbon Footprints
AI is also playing a pivotal role in helping companies monitor and reduce their carbon footprints. Microsoft has committed to becoming carbon negatively by 2030, using AI to track their carbon emissions and identify reduction opportunities. Their CVL AI too will automatically process utility invoices - whether they come as PDFs, Excel files, or images - in any language, and extract the necessary data. Not only will this help simplify their utility consumption reporting but it will also eliminate their need for a labour-intensive third-party application which can be prone to manual errors.
Why it matters?
Incorporating AI into sustainability efforts isn't just about saving the planet - it's also about creating a competitive edge for your business. Sustainable practices can lead to cost savings, improved brand reputation, and a better overall business environment.
Plus, it feels pretty great to know you're doing your part to leave the world a little better than you fount it!
Are you inspired to integrate AI into your sustainability efforts?
Get in touch with us at success@ai-tech.uk
Together let's embrace a smarter, greener, and more sustainable future!
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