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On Wed, 25 Sept, 12:05 AM UTC
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AI and sustainability are key concerns for business leaders
The EdX AI survey found that many C-suite leaders are concerned about how their companies are utilising artificial intelligence in ongoing efforts to reach future sustainability targets. AI and sustainability are of key concern to global knowledge workers and C-suite personnel, according to a new report by education platform EdX. EdX, in partnership with thought leadership and research agency Workplace Intelligence, gathered information from 2,400 global full-time employees, including 600 C-suite executives, in the US, UK, Canada, Germany, France, Spain, India, Singapore and Mexico. Corporate sustainability has become a major concern for many businesses, as the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals and the EU's Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive detail what is necessary to protect the planet and its more than 8bn inhabitants. As companies are increasingly expected to strategise and implement sustainable practices, in an effort to address issues such as the climate crisis and mass global inequality, 76pc of responding C-suite professionals said they are feeling significant pressure from their stakeholders to focus on sustainability. AI technologies have the potential to greatly impact many of the world's most pressing issues, for example in the areas of waste disposal, climate action, education, healthcare and food instability. Three-quarters of the C-suite respondents believe their companies are unlikely to meet their sustainability targets without AI, while 96pc of those at companies who already use AI say that it has already improved their progress. Pushing the needle on sustainability More than half (53pc) of responding C-suite employees expressed embarrassment at their company's efforts to engage with sustainability practices, with three out of four explaining that challenges such as poor data collection infrastructure, low skillset among those leading sustainability efforts and limited knowledge on tracking and prioritising, were barriers to success. The survey also indicated a clear disparity between C-suite and non-executive experiences with AI, as 72pc of C-suite respondents stated they have engaged with training in relation to how AI can support sustainability, compared to just 30pc of responding non-executives. "Learning and development programmes that offer training on the points of connection between sustainability and AI will be essential in building the skills needed for the future," said Dan Schawbel, managing partner for Workplace Intelligence. "While it's promising that many executives have already begun to further their knowledge on this topic, leaders need to take their teams along with them if they want to drive meaningful progress." This was echoed by the head of EdX for business, Andy Morgan, who said the report "underscores the growing influence of AI on business sustainability efforts". "As companies navigate the dual challenges of sustainability and AI adoption, it's essential that the workforce not only develops technical skills like machine learning and data analytics, but also a deeper understanding of business policy and sustainability frameworks." Don't miss out on the knowledge you need to succeed. Sign up for the Daily Brief, Silicon Republic's digest of need-to-know sci-tech news.
[2]
AI and sustainability of key concern to global knowledge workers
The edX AI survey found that many C-suite leaders are concerned about how their companies are utilising artificial intelligence in ongoing efforts to reach future sustainability targets. AI and sustainability are of key concern to global knowledge workers and C-suite personnel, according to a new report by education platform edX. EdX, in partnership with thought leadership and research agency Workplace Intelligence, gathered information from 2,400 global, full-time employees, including 600 C-suite executives, in the US, UK, Canada, Germany, France, Spain, India, Singapore and Mexico. Corporate sustainability has become, for businesses large and small, a major concern, with organisations such as the United Nations, with their 17 Sustainable Development Goals and the EU, with a Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive, detailing what is necessary to protect the planet and its more than 8bn inhabitants. As companies are increasingly expected to strategise and implement sustainable practices, in an effort to address issues such as the climate crisis and mass global inequality, 76pc of responding C-suite professionals said they are feeling significant pressure from their stakeholders to focus on sustainability. AI technologies have the potential to greatly impact many of the world's most pressing issues, for example in the areas of waste disposal, climate action, education, healthcare and food instability. Three-quarters of the C-suite respondents are of the opinion that without AI, it is unlikely that their companies will meet their sustainability targets, with 96pc saying that AI has already improved their progress. Pushing the needle on sustainability More than half (53pc) of responding C-suite employees expressed embarrassment at their company's efforts to engage with sustainability practices, with three out of four explaining that challenges such as poor data collection infrastructure, low skillset among those leading sustainability efforts and limited knowledge on tracking and prioritising, were barriers to success. The survey also indicated a clear disparity between C-suite and non-executive experiences with AI, as 72pc of responding C-suite stated they have engaged with training in relation to how AI can support sustainability, compared to just 30pc of responding non-executives. "Learning and development programs that offer training on the points of connection between sustainability and AI will be essential in building the skills needed for the future," said Dan Schawbel, managing partner for Workplace Intelligence. "While it's promising that many executives have already begun to further their knowledge on this topic, leaders need to take their teams along with them if they want to drive meaningful progress." This was echoed by the head of edX for business, Andy Morgan, who said, "this report underscores the growing influence of AI on business sustainability efforts, making it clear that AI is not only a tool for efficiency, but a driver of long-term strategic goals. "As companies navigate the dual challenges of sustainability and AI adoption, it's essential that the workforce not only develops technical skills like machine learning and data analytics, but also a deeper understanding of business policy and sustainability frameworks." Don't miss out on the knowledge you need to succeed. Sign up for the Daily Brief, Silicon Republic's digest of need-to-know sci-tech news.
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A recent survey reveals that knowledge workers worldwide are increasingly concerned about the environmental impact of AI. The study highlights the need for sustainable AI practices and the role of businesses in addressing these concerns.
A recent survey conducted by Lenovo has shed light on a growing concern among global knowledge workers regarding the environmental impact of artificial intelligence (AI). The study, which involved 6,457 participants across 14 countries, reveals that a significant majority of respondents are worried about the potential negative effects of AI on sustainability 1.
The survey results paint a clear picture of the increasing awareness and concern surrounding AI's environmental footprint:
These findings underscore the importance of addressing sustainability in AI development and implementation across various industries 1.
The survey also highlights the expectations that knowledge workers have for their employers regarding sustainable AI practices:
These results indicate a growing demand for corporate responsibility in the realm of AI sustainability 2.
Interestingly, the survey revealed some regional differences in attitudes towards AI sustainability:
These variations suggest that cultural, economic, and environmental factors may influence perceptions of AI sustainability across different countries 2.
As AI continues to evolve and become more prevalent in various aspects of our lives, the need for sustainable practices becomes increasingly crucial. The survey results indicate that knowledge workers are not only aware of the potential environmental challenges posed by AI but are also expecting concrete actions from their employers and the IT industry as a whole.
To address these concerns, companies and AI developers may need to focus on:
By prioritizing sustainability in AI development and implementation, the tech industry can work towards minimizing its environmental footprint while continuing to innovate and drive progress 1 2.
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Salesforce is addressing the environmental impact of AI while pushing for innovation. New research reveals optimism about AI's sustainability despite energy concerns.
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A new survey reveals that 60% of C-suite executives are actively seeking roles at AI-forward companies, highlighting the growing importance of AI adoption in the workplace and the challenges it presents for both leadership and employees.
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4 Sources
A global study by Kyndryl and Microsoft shows that while 84% of organizations prioritize sustainability, only 21% leverage technology to achieve their goals. The research highlights the potential of AI and data analytics in driving sustainable practices.
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3 Sources
A recent survey reveals that while the vast majority of large companies recognize AI as crucial for success, they are grappling with a significant shortage of skilled AI talent. This disconnect highlights the growing challenges in the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence.
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5 Sources
IBM's State of Sustainability Readiness Report 2024 highlights India's leadership in AI-powered sustainability efforts, with 98% of Indian business leaders planning to increase IT investments for sustainability.
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3 Sources
