Smart digital platforms for carbon neutral management and services: Business models based on ITU standards for green digital transformation

Abstract

This brief research report focuses on the effects of artificial intelligence (AI) on the environment, by analyzing the latest documents issued by major standard organizations such as the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the Internet Society of China (ISC). By outlining the latest developments into a platform canvas for carbon neutrality management and services, this report identifies the potential of “AI of the environment” (i.e., the material composition and environmental impact of AI itself) and “AI for the environment” (i.e., the purposeful use of smart applications to benefit the environment). The role of AI is contextualized in the digital platform design for the provision of services on carbon emission data, which serves as the material foundation for smart services facing both the producers and the consumers of such information. Contributing to the design of business models that enable open innovations, this report discusses the emission impact reduction mechanisms that can optimize, substitute, induce, manage, and facilitate processes and services, indicating the potential of AI-enabled smart services such as forecasting, planning, and recommendation systems. Despite the limited disciplinary considerations and detailed discussions on specific AI technologies, this report provides a simple, practical, and flexible technology roadmap that can be used as a guide for researchers and practitioners to refine their operations and designs and to follow best practices. This report succinctly visualizes key elements of digital platforms of/for GHG emission reduction and their enabling mechanisms, serving as an AI technology roadmap for future research and innovation in the field.

The relationship between digital economy and industrial green innovation efficiency – based on the perspective of external knowledge sources

“…All these factors have a significant impact on the efficiency of industrial green innovation. These findings are consistent with those of previous studies on the digital economy and green innovation (Liao et al , 2023; Midttun and Piccini, 2017; Du and Ren, 2023).…”

“…According to the existing research, the development of the digital technology is conducive to achieving energy conservation and emission reduction and improving environmental quality (Zhang et al , 2022; Wang et al , 2022; Song et al , 2019a). Such studies suggest that the digital economy can optimize the government’s monitoring of environmental quality, boost the degree of economic openness and realize the green development of industry (Luo et al , 2023; Liao et al , 2023; Midttun and Piccini, 2017; Ma and Zhu, 2022). There is a close correlation between the digital economy and industrial green transformation.…”