AI for Good: Elevating ESG Impact Through Innovation

I recently attended the Open Eyes Economy Summit (OEES) 2024 in Kraków, Poland, where I engaged in a thought-provoking discussion with Dominika Bettman , the General Director of Microsoft   Poland. Our conversation revolved around the pivotal role of technology in achieving Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals.

The OEES is an international forum that brings together thought leaders, business innovators, policymakers, and academics to explore the intersection of economy, society, and sustainable development. This year's theme, "The Soul of Europe," emphasized values such as social and environmental responsibility. The summit featured various thematic paths, including ESG and sustainable investing, digital transformation.

During our discussion, we delved into how digitalization, especially through the use of AI, can significantly contribute to the current and future needs of the world, including those related to climate, health, and education. Dominika highlighted the importance of having tangible measures of success to ensure that our ESG goals are realistic and achievable. AI, in this context, serves as a powerful tool for defining, measuring, tracking, and analyzing progress, providing valuable insights into our operations in short and long term perspectives.

One of the key takeaways from our conversation was the potential of AI to free up human potential for more complex tasks. By automating routine data collection and analysis, AI allows us to focus on strategic decision-making. This is particularly relevant in the context of ESG, where accurate data and timely insights are crucial for making informed decisions. In healthcare, AI can help enhance medical diagnostics and patient care. New York Times has recently described a study involving 50 hospitals in the USA, where AI, specifically ChatGPT, was used alongside doctors to diagnose complex cases. The results were impressive, with AI achieving a 90% accuracy rate compared to 74% for doctors alone and 76% for doctors using Chat GPT. This highlights the potential of AI to support healthcare professionals by providing them with valuable data and insights, ultimately improving patient outcomes. The integration of AI in healthcare not only aids in accurate diagnostics but also helps in managing large datasets, thereby freeing up healthcare professionals to focus on more critical tasks.

While the opportunities presented by AI are vast, our discussion also touched on the challenges organizations face when integrating AI solutions. One of the key hurdles lies in managing expectations—AI is not a plug-and-play solution, and its success depends on clear objectives, proper implementation, and reliable data. Clients often underestimate the complexity of aligning AI initiatives with their unique needs and processes, leading to gaps between expectations and outcomes. Dominika and I emphasized that while AI holds transformative potential, the path to success requires a thoughtful approach, combining technological expertise with a deep understanding of business contexts. Navigating this journey calls for collaboration, agility, and a readiness to iterate and learn along the way.

During our chat with Dominika Bettman, we also discussed the democratization of AI, emphasizing that its benefits are not limited to large corporations but extend to smaller enterprises and NGOs as well. This democratization opens up new opportunities for innovation and collaboration across different sectors.

At Avanade, we are committed to leveraging the Microsoft ecosystem to drive sustainable development. Tools like Microsoft Sustainability Manager, with its pre-defined models, help us gather and analyze data more efficiently, enabling us to make better decisions and achieve our ESG goals more effectively.

Our collaboration with Żabka, a leading convenience store chain in Poland, is a prime example of our commitment to sustainability. By leveraging Microsoft technologies, Żabka has significantly enhanced its sustainability efforts.

Through advanced data analytics and AI, Żabka has optimized its supply chain, reduced waste, and improved energy efficiency. AI has also helped predict demand more accurately, minimizing overstocking and food waste.

Additionally, Żabka has adopted Microsoft’s cloud and IoT solutions, streamlining operations, reducing carbon footprint, and improving market responsiveness. This partnership highlights how technology can drive sustainability and support broader ESG goals.

Conferences like Open Eyes Economy Summit create an important space to discuss and explore the intersection of technology and sustainability. Among many sessions about the areas in which technology could be useful in solving current and future challenges, our chat with Dominika Bettman emphasized the important role of AI and digital tools in achieving ESG goals.

At Avanade, we are dedicated to advancing sustainable development through innovative solutions and strategic partnerships. The success of our collaboration with Żabka is a powerful example of what can be achieved when technology and sustainability work together.

Despite the challenges, the potential of AI for driving positive change is undeniable. As we discussed, its greatest social impact lies in areas like ESG and healthcare, where AI not only accelerates progress toward sustainability goals but also enhances medical outcomes, proving that the rewards of AI—when applied thoughtfully—can truly serve the greater good.

We remain committed to harnessing the power of AI for good and driving positive change in the world.