What sorts of tech innovations can we look forward to in 2023 and how can they improve environmental sustainability?
As 2023 approaches, the importance of sustainability in IT and the tech sector overall has become a predominant consideration. The growing crisis of electronic waste worldwide is spurring many organisations and jurisdictions to implement methods of reducing e-waste, and performance indicators that demonstrate sustainability in a clear and transparent manner will only become more necessary in 2023 and beyond.
Gartner expects that over half of all Chief Information Officers (CIOs) will tie in key performance metrics such as Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG) outcomes with the overall sustainability of the organisation by 2025.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
In many parts of Europe and the USA, artificial intelligence (AI) has become ubiquitous in our daily lives. IBM revealed in 2020 that around 45% of companies with over 1,000 employees have adopted some form of AI. By 2028, the AI business market is anticipated to be worth over $640.3 billion. In all likelihood, 2023 will be a year of rapid adoption of AI in everything ranging from simple web chatbots to more advanced tools that can be adopted in healthcare, higher education, and much more.
AI can tremendously minimise carbon footprints in homes and in businesses. For a typical business with AI-supported customer service, for example, one chatbot AI can provide its “labour” 24/7 - holidays included - without ever needing to commute to the office, consume resources (aside from a modicum of electricity), or pose material risks to an organisation.
When executed well, AI can (and perhaps, should) supplement human endeavours and add value to our lives, but there is certainly a strong case to be made for the sustainability impact of AI as well.
CLOUD-BASED DATA CENTRES
Although cloud-based storage has been somewhat widely used for nearly 15 years, the transition to cloud-based data centers will likely accelerate even further going into 2023.
Cloud storage is appealing to many organisations, and it’s certainly useful for many private consumers as well with platforms such as Google Drive or OneDrive, for example. Switching to cloud storage can have tremendous benefits on environmental sustainability, since cloud providers tend to operate lean and energy-efficient data centres that best allocate resources to where they’re needed.
One important environmental consideration for private consumers is that cloud storage reduces the need to purchase additional physical hard drives or SSD storage such as external hard drives, which can save you plenty of money and reduce needless e-waste.
SUPPLY CHAIN BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY
Blockchain technology may not be new, but it is reaching a point of widespread adoption beyond as an asset class. One of the many potential innovations that can completely transform how sustainability we live is having a clear, immutable ledger for supply chains. Cryptocurrencies such as VeChain are some of the more well-known blockchains that are designed with supply chain transparency in mind.
Imagine having a publicly-accessible ledger for refurbished laptops showing a clear chain of custody and ownership, all the way upstream to raw resource extraction down to you, the end user, along with CO2 emissions throughout the entire product lifecycle.
GREENHOUSE GAS MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE
Similar in many ways to supply chain blockchain technology, 2023 will likely see greater research and development of dedicated greenhouse gas (GHG) software solutions. GHG software can facilitate the management of GHG emissions within organisations, displaying direct and indirect GHG emissions from various business operations.
This can help organisations such as refurbished electronics resellers more clearly and transparently build confidence with sustainably-minded consumers. Wisetek store operates a Zero-Landfill Policy and our Wisetek Store is a 100% sustainable alternative to buying brand new electronics, so such a system would greatly benefit us and our valued customers.
FUNCTIONAL CIRCULAR ECONOMY MODELS
“Circular economy” may sound a bit like a buzzword, much like how “sustainability” has been tossed around willy-nilly for a couple of decades now. Many companies claim to be “going green” yet end up engaged in greenwashing, which comes with detrimental effects to the environment and to consumer trust.
A genuine, functional circular economy model using technological innovations can have tremendously beneficial impacts on sustainability by reducing needless waste. One sector where this is particularly evident is with electronics and IT assets. Reducing e-waste and reusing IT devices is better for the environment than the old linear economy model of “take, make, waste.”
Wisetek Store operates on a circular economy model whereby redundant IT devices are professionally refurbished and remarketed to you, the end consumer, at great prices. Customers at Wistek Store can rest assured that their purchases are sustainable and every device purchased delays sending another to the landfill, so it’s a win-win both for your wallet and for the environment.
BUY SUSTAINABLE REFURBISHED DEVICES FROM WISETEK STORE
Wisetek Store is your ideal way of purchasing sustainable, affordable refurbished desktop computers, laptops, tablets, phones, and accessories for your home or business. Our products are refurbished to an ‘as new’ condition and come with a free 12-month warranty for repairs.
Customers located in the UK can shop for refurbished laptops and other refurbished electronics at Wisetek Store UK.
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