To further bolster its sustainability efforts , IBM acquired Envizi - a leading data and analytics software provider for environmental performance management - this year . This acquisition will help IBM ’ s customers accelerate sustainability initiatives and achieve environmental goals with Envizi ’ s automation software .
As Migoya explains , with this drive to create more sustainable businesses , AI provides a solution to this transition to sustainable business operations without disrupting business as usual : “ The efficiencies that AI provides enable an escape from the cost / benefit binary , and a focus on the upside . There are still many places where the choice or pursuit of sustainability is a matter of principle , values , and vision . But we are not far away from an era where sustainability is imperative to remain competitive . Having the tools to incorporate these goals without friction enables companies to pivot faster .”
AI , Natarajan explains , will give organisations the ability to understand the impact of a business move from both a
sustainability perspective and an economic perspective . “ The assumption is you can ' t separate the two : AI changes that ,” he says .
Supporting the UN ’ s sustainable development goals with AI Although climate change and its impact is a top priority for businesses , so are many other sustainable development goals , as outlined by the United Nations ( UN ). The 17 goals , adopted in 2015 , are a universal call to action to end poverty , protect the planet , and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity .
“ The development of these social initiatives are mainly human and they require many aspects , concepts and planning that are not necessarily related to technology . However , technology can
48 April 2022