Artificial Intelligence and Smart Data Should Power the Energy Transition

| Editorial Board

| September 24, 2023

CEOs for the Future wants to use concrete examples to show how these digital future technologies can be used to drive progress. In addition, a white paper has been developed in collaboration with well-known companies.

The climate crisis is one of the biggest global challenges of the 21st century. The consequences of increasing global warming include more frequent extreme weather events, which particularly affect Austria as an Alpine country. Advances in digitalization open new opportunities to use artificial intelligence and intelligent data management to combat this crisis.

Great potential

Artificial intelligence models and algorithms are used to collect, analyze and process data. This makes it possible to make accurate weather forecasts, predict environmental disasters, make agricultural resources more efficient and save energy. “Digital technologies have huge potential to enhance and accelerate the energy transition. We want to leverage these opportunities for the benefit of our economy,” says Birgit Krafft-Keys, Executive Vice Chairman of Future.

Early detection of weather disasters

CEOs for the Future once again addresses the topic of energy transition and has developed a white paper on “Using AI and Intelligent Data Management to Transform Cross-Sector Energy Transition” in collaboration with Drei Austria, Microsoft Austria and IBM Austria. This document explains concrete examples of information processing using artificial intelligence and smart data, which are useful for detecting impending extreme climate disasters and promoting energy and resource-efficient agriculture. This digital technology has already been fully integrated by technology companies, which are constantly working on concrete implementation and possible innovative applications.

“AI and intelligent data management can only be achieved through digital infrastructure, network expansion and availability of mobile devices, especially in rural areas,” says Rudolf Schreffel, CEO of Drei Österreich.

Three are increasingly interested in artificial intelligence and smart data applications: weather stations in Vorarlberg are supposed to provide accurate weather forecasts, and another model is supposed to calculate heat requirements so precisely that energy and delivery methods can be saved.

Specific projects

Also at Microsoft Austria, infrastructure is key. “AI requires a corresponding digital infrastructure designed for a large volume of data, such as large central data centers,” says Hermann Erlach, Managing Director. “AI and intelligent data management help to better understand climate changes via global data models 2/3.” Microsoft Austria. Technology company Microsoft Austria also supports sustainable agriculture and has developed an artificial intelligence model to grow vines more efficiently. There are also collaborations with retail companies to promote more efficient use of energy in retail and avoid food waste.

At IBM, the focus is on climate research, but also on the circular economy: “IBM has started an international collaboration with NASA to research climate change. By analyzing satellite data, AI models provide warnings about storms, floods, tornadoes and other weather phenomena.” “extremist.” says Marko Burak, Managing Director, IBM Austria.
IBM has also developed a platform for sustainable and resource-efficient road construction in collaboration with ORIS. AI-powered planning of sustainable and cost-effective mix of building materials and technologies and recycling of building materials aims to conserve resources and thus reduce CO2.₂– Footprint can be reduced.

Modern infrastructure and targeted training

“In order to be able to disseminate and use AI and intelligent data management in Austria, a comprehensive expansion of digital infrastructure and enhanced training opportunities, especially for Generation Z, are essential,” says Birgit Krafft-Keys. CEOs for the Future is always working to “advance the energy transition by transforming the economy and society to enhance sustainability.”

In addition to existing company-specific projects to advance the energy transition, CEOs for Future also supports Apprentigo’s Female Hackathon and is focusing in 2024 on this important topic that is critical for the future.

You can find the full white paper here.

leadersnet Was at the event. You can get the impression here.