Global technology giant IBM has announced plans to address the challenges posed by rapid urbanization by deploying artificial intelligence tools designed to help cities grow sustainably.
In a statement to The Punch on Monday, the company revealed that its AI-based solutions, in partnership with Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), aim to help policymakers in developing regions map urban growth and identify critical infrastructure and energy needs.
The solutions aim to help policymakers, particularly in developing regions, assess urbanization trends and identify the energy and infrastructure needs of rapidly growing communities.
The AI tools, part of IBM’s Sustainability Accelerator program, are designed to offer data-driven insights that can help cities plan and develop infrastructure that meets the demands of growing populations while promoting sustainability. environmental sustainability.
John Matogo, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility for Africa and the Middle East at IBM, said: “At IBM, we are proud to launch solutions that harness the power of artificial intelligence to make an impact on communities around the world. »
“Collaborating with organizations like Sustainable Energy for All through our IBM Sustainability Accelerator program helps us unlock innovation and work more closely within communities to tackle some of our biggest challenges, including energy and sustainable urban development.
CEO and Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for All, Damilola Ogunbiyi, said: “At Sustainable Energy for All, we believe that integrating AI into sustainable energy planning and evidence energy sector, particularly for developing countries, will represent considerable progress. a long way in designing comprehensive solutions to many of the development challenges currently facing countries in the Global South and their populations.
“The Open Building Insights tool, which SEforALL developed in collaboration with IBM, will help energy planners overcome critical challenges related to lack of data to inform energy access and energy transition interventions and better deliver results for those who need them most.
In 2022, IBM began collaborating with SEforALL through the IBM Sustainability Accelerator program. First, IBM worked with the SEforALL team through IBM Garage, IBM’s collaborative engagement model.
During the IBM Garage phase of the project, the organizations conceptualized and designed two AI solutions and an online platform to create a current and future view of buildings in the Africa and India regions.