Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies for a Sustainable World – A Survey of Indian Corporates

The study aims to examine the significance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in contributing to the sustainable world. It aims to examine the affirmative and progressive impact of leveraging AI in achieving sustainability. In this study, ‘Environmental, Social and Governance’ (ESG) score was chosen as the chief metric for measuring sustainability. Bombay Stock Exchange Sensex Index (representing 30 blue chip and large cap companies) was taken as sample. The data pertaining to AI tools being deployed by Sensex companies were collected from the published annual and sustainability reports, press releases, corporate news, interviews of Chief Technology Officers in business dailies of the sample 30 companies of Sensex. For brevity, the sample 30 companies were classified into (a) Manufacturing (b) IT and Software and (c) BFSI sectors. ESG scores as per S&P (Standard and Poor) Global Index Services were collected. The study examined the top performers in manufacturing, IT and Software and BFSI sectors in terms of AI tools adoption for achieving sustainability across the three pillars of ESG namely, Environmental, Social and Governance. The study explored the role of AI tools for achieving sustainability by (i) Evaluating corporate sustainability (ESG) scores, (ii) Portfolio of AI and Digital tools leveraged (iii) Benchmarking ESG scores of select companies with industry maximum and industry average and a brief gap analysis was done to improve the overall ESG performance. The study attempted to explore the AI digital technology innovations and initiatives of Indian Start-ups.