• Business leaders across the United Kingdom are prioritising AI investments over ESG initiatives, in a trend that is also affecting the security and surveillance industry.
• Achieving a balance between AI investments and long-term sustainability goals
• Dahua Technology and Hanwha are striking the right balance between embracing the new AI era and achieving its ESG targets.

UK CEOs are betting big on Artificial Intelligence (AI) to stay ahead in the global market, but is this really what the world needs right now?

The latest EY CEO Pulse Survey shows UK business leaders are feeling more optimistic about their immediate prospects and are prioritising AI investments to gain a competitive advantage.

This global trend of racing to invest in algorithmic and innovative technologies, which is also impacting the security and surveillance industry, shows no signs of slowing. A recent MIT report found that every company surveyed plans to increase AI spending in the next year by at least 25%.

With 50% of CEOs prioritising AI for growth and productivity and 49% focusing on data management and cybersecurity, as per EY, the emphasis on technology is increasingly coming at the expense of broader societal goals.

Nearly half of respondents admit they are struggling to justify Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives, shifting their focus away from sustainability targets.

This divergence between short-term financial returns and decarbonisation is seen by experts as shortsighted. Many, according to Hanwha Vision, are not placing sufficient emphasis on sustainable or in-house manufacture, ethical supply chains, or reducing energy and waste, for example.

Soaring energy demands driven by rapid technological advancements and the current climate crisis indicate there is a need to maintain a focus on achieving net zero and fulfilling ESG commitments to move towards a more sustainable future.

In the surveillance industry, in particular, achieving a balance between AI investments and long-term sustainability goals demands a multifaceted approach. Business and technology leaders in the sector can achieve this by re-evaluating data centre strategies, deploying AI strategically, and aligning with both stakeholders, end-users and the company’s sustainability vision. Adopting an ethical AI framework will enable organisations to maximise the technology’s potential while ensuring their operations are both resilient and eco-friendly in the long run.

The integration of AI and sustainability can also offer a compelling solution for pursuing a well-rounded corporate strategy. Algorithmic technology in itself has the potential to supercharge a company’s ESG initiatives and revolutionise the way we address global issues.

As an example, energy use and consumption can be monitored through the use of AI models, which in turn can provide optimised usage settings to result in reduced greenhouse emissions. Similarly, AI can assist in analysing corporate governance data to assess an organisation’s ESG performance and identify possible enhancements and efficiencies.

With the demand for detailed and rapid ESG analysis growing, emerging software and technologies like AI can become essential tools for businesses dedicated to sustainable practices.

Dahua Technology is among those companies that strike the right balance between embracing the new AI era and achieving its ESG targets. Last year, over 160 of its partners gathered at the Eco-Partnership Conference to discuss the role and value of Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT), big data, AI and other technologies in the digital intelligence industry. At the same time, Dahua officially joined the United Nations Global Compact, making substantial contributions to global development through tangible actions.

As for the convergence of AI and sustainability, among many other uses, Dahua employs its AI platform to accurately identify and collect images of fast-moving gibbons and provide a scientific basis for the study of their declining populations and threatened habitats, making its mark in wildlife conservation.

In a like manner, Hanwha is advancing AI’s eco-evolution by tackling the energy demands of data centres. The company is exploring innovative solutions to mitigate AI’s insatiable appetite for power and electricity.

One of its suggested approaches involves locating data centres in cooler climates and using natural air conditioning technologies that channel outside cool air indoors, thereby reducing the energy required for traditional cooling systems.

As illustrated by these examples, balancing AI and ESG investments, or achieving both goals simultaneously, can be a delicate tightrope walk. Yet if navigated with care, it can lead to successful corporate strategies that achieve a harmonious blend of strong financial returns, innovation and social responsibility.

This is especially important in the security and surveillance industry as ESG efforts come under increased scrutiny in the coming years. Ultimately, investment in one area does not have to come at the expense of the other.