RESEARCH REPORT
Gen AI for the Global Goals
5-MINUTE READ
September 17, 2024
In brief
- With only 17% of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) on track, it is imperative for the private sector to take advantage of technologies like Gen AI to accelerate progress.
- Gen Al can provide the critical capabilities to accelerate innovation and unlock the business transformations needed to overcome headwinds that continue to challenge sustainable development.
- The private sector must also understand and mitigate the risks posed by Gen Al, which can work against sustainability efforts and undermine progress on the Global Goals.
A pivotal moment for sustainable development
Global challenges, including ongoing and reignited geo-political conflicts, the climate crisis, high inflation, and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, have converged to significantly hinder progress on sustainable development. We are currently on track to meet only 17% of the SDG targets by 2030, and as global leaders juggle multiple issues at the same time, progress is becoming even more challenging—widening the gap between action and goals.
In parallel, advances in technology are transforming our societies and economies. Generative (Gen) Al in particular has captured the private sector's attention due to its potential to revolutionize industries and redefine business strategies.
The world is at a critical juncture. Gen Al, if developed and used responsibly, could accelerate businesses impact on sustainable development and bridge the gap to 2030.
In the past 30 years, there is no single technology except for AI that I have been able to stand up in front of CEOs and credibly and authentically say that it will have a material positive impact on every part of their enterprise.
Julie Sweet / CEO and Chair, Accenture
The transformative potential of Gen AI
Gen Al can facilitate unprecedented access to hyper-specific, tailored information, accelerate innovation through cross-disciplinary thinking, and increase productivity. These capabilities are crucial to helping businesses tackle the complex challenges that hinder sustainable development.
The private sector, responsible for more than 60% of global GDP, is the largest player in the production of goods and services worldwide. As a driving force behind innovation and the growth of Gen AI, the private sector has a unique opportunity to lead the way in harnessing this technology for sustainable development. By prioritizing the SDGs throughout the use of Gen AI, the private sector can drive positive impact and advance the SDGs globally.
Businesses are already integrating Gen Al capabilities to create real sustainable development impact, as illustrated by the twelve use cases and nine case studies in the report.
Imagine Gen AI as an economic and sustainability enabler
Gen Al has the power of transforming business and unlocking unprecedented acceleration in sustainable development.
For example, Gen Al can act as a circular enabler. Imagine if it could tackle the logistical and analytical barriers to developing a truly circular economy. Gen Al can step in as an assistant for research teams to identify promising alternative materials and embed sustainable design principles across products and services. Procurement and logistics teams could also leverage Gen Al to help optimize transportation and inventories as well as complex reverse logistics networks.
Gen Al can help with broader engagement and action. Customers and technicians can leverage tailored instructions to help with repairs, extending product life. Recovery and recycling vendors can more effectively separate valuable materials from waste streams with Gen Al's help. It can also help be an information aggregator, helping businesses learn best practices, improve communication across the value chain, and advise regulators on system-wide change.
By tackling these challenges, businesses can take the next steps towards decoupling growth from resource use, creating value while tackling the SDGs, and embrace responsible growth.
Understanding the risks of Gen AI
While Gen AI holds tremendous promise, companies must use it responsibly to avoid exposing themselves and society to significant risk. Academic institutions, governments, the private sector, and others, are continuously expanding our understanding of risks and trying to mitigate them with appropriate safeguards and regulations.
Rapid advancements in Gen AI, however, mean that the risks can easily outpace regulation. It is crucial for businesses to grasp the potential pitfalls of Gen AI use. A deeper understanding of the risks helps businesses to establish effective governance, strategically deploy Gen AI, and prepare their workforce.
How to advance responsible Al in your organization
Given Gen Al's potential to dramatically help or hinder sustainable development, it is imperative that the world manages its impact.
This report brings together the UN's sustainable development expertise with Accenture's Gen Al experience to expand on how companies can best develop and deploy Gen Al. This report includes four ready-to-use resources for private sector CXOs.
- Playbook for Implementing Gen Al Responsibly
Explains how to ready your enterprise for Gen Al and how to manage its ongoing applications.
- Using Gen AI to support your sustainable development ambition
Illustrates how Gen Al can support corporate sustainability goals through the lens of the UN Global Compact management model.
- The role of each business function
Provides a quick references guide for the role of key business functions in development and maintaining effective Gen Al implementation for sustainable development.
- Broader ecosystem advocacy
Outlines actions companies should advocate for outside of their own organization to affect change across their sectors and ecosystems.