As part of the event series IU Beyond: The Dialogue, a dynamic discussion under the title Technology meets Sustainability took place on 10 September 2024, drawing significant interest with over 300 registrations. Renowned experts and an engaged audience shared their perspectives on the intersection of sustainability and technology during this interactive virtual event.
Keynote Highlights:
Dr Stephanie Metzner, Market Sales Leader at IBM DACH, opened the discussion by stating,
"It's easy to talk about sustainability. However, achieving it requires hard work and coordination. With the right combination of strategy, culture, and technology, companies can not only make a significant contribution to improving the future of our planet, but also position themselves for better business success in the years to come."
Christian Adler, Founder and CEO of LoopID, emphasised the vital role of digital technologies in transforming the economy:
"We will not manage the transformation to a circular economy without the comprehensive use of digital technologies such as artificial intelligence. We have optimised the linear economy over decades. Now we need to use technologies to keep products in circulation for longer."
Dr Sven Schütt, CEO of IU Group and IU International University of Applied Sciences, underscored the intrinsic value of sustainability in a company's mission:
"Sustainability must start as part of a company's mission, creating social value while achieving economic success and remaining attractive to employees. In the age of AI, we can create social impact and added value for customers in an unprecedented way."
Participants were actively involved through Mentimeter, indicating that sustainability is a priority on many CEOs' agendas and that a majority of companies already have defined sustainability strategies. However, the use of AI to achieve sustainability goals remains less common. An interactive poll also revealed that young digital talents highly value sustainability when choosing employers.
Expert Panel Discussion on ESG Factors:
When asked to prioritise the environmental, social, or governance (ESG) factors, the experts highlighted their interconnectedness:
Dr Sven Schütt noted the importance of an individualised approach:
"For us at IU, the focus is on the social area, without neglecting the other areas. Each organisation needs to make its own unique contribution."
Dr Stephanie Metzner stressed the collective importance of all ESG elements:
"All three belong together and are essential components for long-term ecological and economic sustainability. Technologies must be utilised to reduce resource consumption and emissions."
Christian Adler echoed this sentiment:
"The ESG factors are inseparable. Sustainable success hinges on profitable economic and environmental practices working in tandem with governance."
For those who missed it, a recording of the online event is available here:
