Technology and sustainability

"Technology is about getting the best of people, retaining them, nurturing a creative environment and helping to find a way to innovate." – Marissa Mayer, American businesswoman

The word “sustainability” first appeared in a German forestry handbook in 1713 as Nachhaltigkeit, which means sustained yield. Sustained yield was a practice of harvesting just enough trees every year in such a way that there were enough left for the forest to regenerate in future years. Later on this concept began to include the protection of animals, fish, plants and other items used for food. This meant that there had to be a limit to how many animals and fish were hunted to ensure the survival of these creatures for future generations.

Sustainability

Decades passed and the phrase “sustained yield” was barely mentioned except in technical books and articles. Then in 1972, the magazine The Ecologist, published a special edition intitled

A Blueprint for Survival. This groundbreaking text, written by the top scientists of the day, drew the attention of the world. Their argument was the urgent need to restructure society in order to prevent “the breakdown of society and the irreversible disruption of life-support systems on this planet”.

In 1987, The UN’s Brundtland Commission re-defined sustainability as a way of life that “meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. Then in 2005, the World Summit on Social Development changed the meaning of sustainability once again and divided it into three parts: Business profits based on fair business practices, social commitments to communities and employees and environmental protection using resources responsibly and reducing our impact on the environment.

Technology

Profits without any doubt make the world go round. In the world of business and enterpreneurship, the only practices that are sustainable are those that are economically viable and friendly, and socially responsible. Only corporations that include socially responsible and environmentally sound policies as core elements in their growth strategy are able to create sustainable economic values.

Traditionally digital technology and environmental sustainability did not mix. Technology means constant technological changes that are being brought about by AI and robotics focused on making global manufacturing, industrial processes and labour more efficient. Environmental sustainablity is focused on climate and environmental degradation and geopolitical instability and the way to prioritise resources conservation and environmental governance.

However, this should not be the case.

Marrying two concepts

In fact, digital technology and environmental sustainability are the way forward. AI can be harnessed in a wide range of economic sectors to manage environmental impacts and climate change. Examples of application include: precision agriculture, sustainable supply chains, environmental monitoring and enforcement and enhancement of weather disaster prediction and response.

A research by PricewaterhouseCoopers UK, commissioned by Microsoft, models the economic impact of AI’s application to manage the environment across four sectors − agriculture, water, energy and transport. It estimates that using AI in these four sectors would contribute 5.2 trillion USD to the global economy by 2030 and reduce worldwide greenhouse gas emissions by 4%. It also predicted that productivity improvements through AI could create 38.2 million net new jobs across the global economy offering more skilled occupations as part of the transition.

Labour’s vision

We are blessed to be living in a country where the Labour government recognised the importance of AI right from the start and included it into Labour’s electoral manifestos and roadmaps. This powerful and important technological sector has been a leading force aiming at placing Malta as one of the top 10 countries in the world by the year 2030. In fact, we asipire to become the “ultimate AI launchpad”.

Malta is working hard to be a place where local and foreign companies and enterpreneurs can develop, prototype, test and scale AI. This is feasible because of our small size and successful AI solutions on our soil could be taken up by larger countries. The strategy that is in place is to amalgamate AI with national priorities, values and citizen rights.

There is no denying that the three pillars that are part of Labour’s strategy are already being implemented and have made headlines time and again in the last year or so. Malta Enterprise has and still is investing heavily in start-ups and innovation. The adoption of AI within the public administration is also at an advanced stage. Government in fact is doing its utmost to improve citizens’ experiences, provide wider access to public services and enhance well-being. This is being done through public projects mainly, traffic managment, health, education, tourism and customer service.

COVID alert Malta

A tangible example of how AI has helped within the health service is the recently launched COVID Alert Malta app that helps protect individuals and their loved ones by alerting them if they were in close contact with persons infected with COVID-19. The third pillar is also at an advanced stage. The private sector is in fact being constantly incentivised by government to integrate, develop and use AI applications within their organisations.

The three pillars are further enabled by educating and assisting workers to develop digital skills, the launching of advanced courses in AI and providing more AI specialists to assist. Of note is the ongoing work that will establish the world’s first National AI Certification programme. This will enable companies and practitioners to develop and showcase socially responsible, transparent and ethical AI solutions in line with Malta’s Ethical AI framework towards trustworthy AI. A Technology Regulation Advisory

Committee is also in the pipeline and its role will be to advise stakeholders on AI laws and regulations.

Gozo − a launchpad

AI and sustainability definitely go hand in hand. Labour’s forwardthinking and long-term strategy for our tiny country will most definitely secure the fortunes of future generations. Gozo is also a part of this plan. Last year, together with Dr Joseph Muscat, I had the honour of launching in Gozo the first AI Summit ever to be held in Malta. It coincided with the official opening of the Gozo Innovation Hub in Xewkija, which accommodates various operations in the knowledge-based economy particularly ICT, AI, machine learning, bio-informatics, cybersecurity, DLTs and the Internet of Things. Labour does not go for glamourous slogans but proves itself in tangible initiatives and solid measures.

I am positive that we Gozitans will adopt AI within our communities and businesses to the best of our advantage. Indeed, nothing is closer to our hearts than our beloved island and its people. AI will help create a balance between being economically and ecologically sustainable – a concept that will most certainly be wholeheartedly embraced by us all by the year 2030. We have the resilience and capability to be protagonists in the AI revolution and an integral part of the ultimate AI launchpad.

Gozo can fully embrace what leading innovation thinker Nicky Verd says: “Innovation, creativity and an ability to solve real-life problems remain the most prized skills in today’s economy.“In our tiny but resilient Gozo we have the necessary brains and the determined impetus to reach that goal. Tomorrow’s budget speech will further ensure this way forward!