Kyndryl and Microsoft Study: Most Thai Businesses Not Considering Environmental Impact When Implementing AI Solutions

• Study highlights organizations’ ability to integrate sustainability initiatives into their corporate strategies, programs, and technology implementations
• Almost half of Thai businesses (48%) use AI for emissions monitoring
• Only 18% use IT for both internal footprint reduction and broader environmental goals

Kyndryl (NYSE: KD), the world’s largest IT infrastructure services provider, recently released the second Global Sustainability Barometer study, commissioned by Microsoft. The study, conducted by Ecosystm, shows that most (82%) of Thai businesses don’t consider the environmental impact of their artificial intelligence (AI) solutions. The research also shows that while 32% of companies in Thailand have increased their sustainability goals and program execution year-on-year, only 18% use IT for both internal footprint reduction and broader environmental goals.

"Thailand is at a critical juncture in its sustainability journey. The Global Sustainability Barometer study provides valuable insights into how Thailand can accelerate its journey toward a more sustainable future,” said Kittipong Asawapichayon, Managing Director, Kyndryl Thailand. “This study highlights the crucial need for Thai businesses to not only embrace data-driven decision-making and leverage technology but also foster collaboration and actively engage their workforce in sustainability initiatives. Many organizations struggle to translate their good intentions into concrete actions. By harnessing the power of data, AI, and collaborative action, we can bridge this gap, optimize resource allocation, and drive meaningful progress towards our environmental and social goals."

Areas of Opportunity for Thai Businesses

The study found that while Thai leaders see the value of sustainability, they need to improve how they turn goals into data-driven actions by using technology, especially AI. The study’s detailed analysis and deep insights can help organizations across Thailand strengthen their sustainability efforts. To maximize impact, consider these key principles:

• Make sustainability a business priority and foster a culture of collective responsibility. In Thailand, legal and risk teams shape sustainability vision and goals, followed by procurement and operations. This aligns well with the goal of building a sustainable value chain. It’s crucial to create synergy across teams, including a fully involved finance and IT, for more efficient sustainability planning and execution.
• Place technology in a central role. While 32% of organizations in Thailand have ramped up their sustainability efforts in the past year, companies should move beyond just reducing their IT environmental footprint and leverage technology to achieve broader sustainability goals, such as optimizing operations and supply chains (52% are already doing this) or using AI to drive efficiency gains (47%).
• Use AI efficiently, considering its environmental footprint. While AI is a proven game changer for defining sustainability strategies, organizations need to be aware of its broader environmental impact. Almost half (48%) of Thai businesses use AI for environmental monitoring, the study highlights a critical gap in understanding AI's environmental footprint. Organizations in the country must prioritize responsible AI practices by measuring and mitigating the environmental impact of their AI solutions.
• Prioritize seamless data synergy and integration to enhance collaboration. The biggest challenge in adopting sustainability measures for 40% of organizations in Thailand is overcoming the difficulty of accessing data across siloed systems. Organizations in Thailand should invest in and streamline data flow across departments, enabling faster decision-making, greater visibility, and ensuring sustainability initiatives are backed by accurate, real-time data.

Matthew Sekol, a Sustainability Global Black Belt at Microsoft, added, “Companies can gain the insights needed to deliver on their commitments and drive resilience by integrating sustainability data with operational and financial data, and using traditional data analytics and robust AI tooling to reshape operational efficiencies and foster sustainable innovations.”

Kyndryl and Microsoft provide actionable strategies for organizations to measure infrastructure baseline emissions and optimize AI architectures, including AI and machine learning models to minimize energy use and reduce waste. The two companies work closely with organizations worldwide to ensure that technological advancements contribute positively to sustainability goals without compromising innovation.

"We are witnessing a growing number of ASEAN organizations, especially large corporations and conglomerates, prioritizing sustainability as a strategic imperative," said Ullrich Loeffler, CEO & Co-Founder of Ecosystm. "AI is playing a pivotal role in these initiatives, enabling businesses to optimize resource consumption, reduce waste, and drive positive environmental impact. This trend is poised to ripple through the broader ASEAN market, fostering a collaborative ecosystem that will create a more sustainable and equitable future for generations to come."

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About the Study
The second edition of the Global Sustainability Barometer study, conducted by Ecosystm and commissioned by Kyndryl and Microsoft, reflects the perspectives of 1,355 global sustainability leaders spanning 20 countries and nine industry groups. Conducted between August and September 2024, this study aims to bridge the sustainability-technology divide by examining the roles of strategy, data, and AI in achieving sustainability goals.

Learn more about the study, “From Insights to Action: The Technology Impact on Sustainability.”

About Kyndryl
Kyndryl is a leading provider of mission-critical enterprise technology services offering advisory, implementation and managed service capabilities to thousands of customers in more than 60 countries. As the world's largest IT infrastructure services provider, the Company designs, builds, manages and modernizes the complex information systems that the world depends on every day. For more information, visit www.kyndryl.com.

Media Contact:
Archetype on behalf of Kyndryl
Irene Teoh / Tabea Wanninger
kyndryl-apac@archetype.co

Thanatcha Srinak
FAQ Co., Ltd.
Thanatch@faq.co.th