Tech & AI LIVE New York: Technology and Sustainability Panel

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At Tech & AI LIVE New York, Joanna Newman, Tia Chang and Andrea Ruotolo discussed how technology is driving sustainability

The  Technology and Sustainability Panel at Tech & AI LIVE New York opened with an exploration of technology's pivotal role in tackling climate change and advancing sustainability. Joanna Newman, former VP Technology for the Americas at Vodafone, highlighted how technology enables precise measurement and progress tracking. 

“What gets measured gets done,” she said, referencing the criticality of tools for performance improvements in emissions reduction.

Tia Chang, Chief Product Officer at Nexus Digital Technology, noted the indispensability of AI in analysing the complexities of climate change. 

“The multivariate analysis required to address climate issues is impossible without technological innovation,” she explained.

Andrea Ruotolo, Global Head of Customer Sustainability and Responsible AI at Rockwell Automation, underscored the importance of ensuring green AI. 

“If AI is powered by fossil fuels, we risk offsetting the very benefits it seeks to create,” she warned, calling for responsible implementation.

Joanna Newman, former VP Technology for the Americas at Vodafone

Innovations in action

The panel highlighted practical examples of technology improving sustainability outcomes:

  • Digital Twins: Andrea praised the role of digital twins in simulating processes to identify inefficiencies, noting a 50% reduction in material waste reported by organisations using this technology.
  • AI for data centres: Tia shared Google’s success in reducing data centre carbon emissions by 40% through AI-driven energy optimisation, illustrating the scalability of such solutions.
  • Telecoms and connectivity: Joanna discussed how telecom networks optimise energy consumption using AI while maintaining social equity through widespread connectivity.

The panel also emphasised the importance of optimising smaller processes, such as AI reducing hold times in call centres or improving workflow efficiency for construction projects.

Tia Chang, Chief Product Officer at Nexus Digital Technology, noted the indispensability of AI

Addressing challenges and shaping the future

Despite these successes, the panel acknowledged several barriers to broader adoption:

  • Skills gaps: Andrea pointed to a lack of professionals skilled in both sustainability and AI as a significant bottleneck.
  • Initial investment costs: Tia noted that the upfront costs of IoT devices and data management solutions remain prohibitive for some organisations.
  • Global regulation disparities: Joanna emphasised the need for consistent global standards to ensure fairness while supporting localised innovation.
Andrea Ruotolo, Global Head of Customer Sustainability and Responsible AI at Rockwell Automation

Looking ahead, the panellists proposed several steps to accelerate progress:

  1. Enhanced collaboration: Governments, regulators and vendors must work together to create fair, standardised frameworks that encourage responsible innovation.
  2. Incentivising sustainability: Tia advocated for tax credits and policies that reward sustainable practices, providing both a carrot and stick approach.
  3. Empowering innovators: Joanna highlighted the potential of small businesses and start-ups to drive innovation, urging for greater support through funding and mentorship programmes.

Andrea concluded with a vital reminder: “Progress is only progress if it’s sustainable.” 

She stressed the importance of balancing people, planet, and profit in every technological advancement.

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