Bridging Technology and Sustainable Practices
FICORE organized a compelling panel discussion on the “Use of AI in Sustainability” Aligning with the BTS 2023 theme. Laura Sivula, Business Area Director from Aalto University’s Executive Education moderated the panel and set the context by welcoming guests from around the world to explore AI's pivotal role in sustainability. The panel included esteemed speakers such as Mr. Manoj Gurnani, CTO & Head of Strategy at Nokia India; Mr. Manjunath Kukkuru, AVP & Principal Research Analyst at Infosys; Mr. Avnish Sabharwal, Managing Director at Accenture Ventures, and Ms. Terhi Kajaste, Manager for Industrial and Societal Relations at the Finnish Center for Artificial Intelligence. Ambassador of Finland to India H.E. Kimmo Lähdevirta joined the panel as a special guest.
The panels discussed the profound impact and potential of AI across various sectors, citing examples such as AI-driven climate modeling, energy-efficient smart grids, precision farming in agriculture, and waste management optimization. The discussions highlighted how AI could enable the accomplishment of 134 Sustainable Development Goals targets while potentially inhibiting 59 targets and also delved into the transformative role of AI in fostering sustainability initiatives. A key topic of discussion was the role of regulation in AI, particularly in the context of sustainability, and the varying perspectives in different global contexts, such as in Finland and India. The panelists also discussed the most significant untapped opportunities in integrating AI into sustainability initiatives, and highlighted the challenges and opportunities in AI for sustainability, emphasizing the need for continual innovation and collaboration.
The panel concluded by a speech by Mr. Petri Lautjärvi, Project Planning Officer at the City of Espoo, who shared insights on Talent Search in the Finnish Tech Industry, further enriching the audience's knowledge.
The Bengaluru Tech Summit AI in Sustainability panel showcased the transformative potential of AI and reinforced the importance of global collaboration in shaping a sustainable future. The Bengaluru Tech Summit 2023 was not just a forum for discussions and knowledge exchange but also a testament to the global appeal and potential of Finland's tech industry. The diverse perspectives shared during the panel discussion offered a deeper understanding of the role AI plays in advancing sustainable initiatives, leaving participants inspired and well-informed about the possibilities for future innovation and collaboration in these critical areas.