The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) can significantly boost green tech in Southeast Asia, enabling the region to continue fighting the negative impacts of climate change. According to a United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD) report, green technologies produce goods and services with smaller carbon footprints and increase economic opportunities in developing countries.
UNCTAD Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan said developing countries must ensure they capture the created value of technological change or risk “long-lasting negative implications.” Thus, regional governments in Southeast Asia need to work on their policies and take strategic actions to innovate sustainable solutions for their citizens and reduce the human impact on the environment.
How can Southeast Asia embrace decarbonisation and green energy through technology?
Artificial intelligence can seamlessly integrate with green tech to benefit the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The market for AI is expected to reach USD 6.72 billion in 2024 and rise to USD 30.30 billion by 2030. This growth is vital, as the technology can analyse climate and environmental data, create predictive models on weather patterns and agricultural output, and automate business functions, giving stakeholders time to develop eco-friendly policies across multiple industries.
Fortunately and unfortunately, AI is developing at a time when populations are increasing. According to Earth.org, growing populations contribute to environmental degradation, resource depletion, biodiversity losses, increased greenhouse gas emissions, healthcare risks, and more. As a result, people will suffer from food insecurity, overcrowding and overuse of resources, poor waste management, diseases, pollution, and the use of harmful fuels like coal due to poverty.
Vital AI-driven efforts and innovations across ASEAN
Here are several examples of areas where AI is impacting economies in ASEAN:
Renewable energy
AI’s role in making energy production more efficient is significant. It reduces emissions and resource consumption, identifies gaps in renewable sources, and predicts future needs, enabling better society-wide planning. Moreover, it determines the best angles for harnessing solar power and helps wind farms generate more output by analysing climate data.
Additionally, companies like FlyORO are now blending conventional jet oil with biofuel to create a more environmentally friendly jet fuel with lower emissions.
Sustainable agriculture
Due to limited agricultural land in the region, farmers are using precision farming techniques and controlled environments, deploying robotics and sensors, analysing plant growth data, directing crop-spraying drones, and automating processes like irrigation. They can also easily track raw materials such as aluminium for recycling.
Companies like Indonesia’s Green Rebel use mushrooms and soy to create plant-based meats for sustainable diets in the region. Others, like Malaysia’s Qarbotech, are enhancing photosynthesis rates, leading to drought-resistant crops and shorter crop cycles for farmers.
Urban planning for smart cities
Smart cities will need more sustainable water usage, distribution, and recycling to prevent the spread of diseases. Moreover, efficient waste management approaches are essential to reduce pollution, as overcrowding becomes an issue in many locations. This will also eliminate the need for landfills.
Companies like Singapore-based Waste Labs use artificial intelligence to analyse waste collection practices, making them more efficient and managing the use of recyclable materials.
Environmental risk mitigation
Risk mitigation can prevent natural disasters from harming citizens, increasing pollution, and creating the need for deforestation to acquire wood for burning. AI-controlled sensors can monitor the environment, alerting officials of tree cutters in the area.
Indonesia-based DamoGo makes food ordering more efficient, reducing wastage and unnecessary use of farm ingredients. Other companies like Unravel Carbon use artificial intelligence to help businesses monitor, track, and reduce carbon emissions.
Challenges and ethical issues related to integrating AI and green tech in Southeast Asia
Despite its many benefits, artificial intelligence has several pitfalls, including data privacy risks, job displacement, discrimination, and bias in employment in green tech startups. Malicious individuals may also use AI to mislead the public about environmental care through doctored images and videos. Moreover, the proliferation of AI-powered devices creates more electronic waste, poisoning the region.
ASEAN governments can address these issues by developing adaptive policies that can cope with the evolution of artificial intelligence. They must provide education and literacy to society and push for multi-stakeholder and intergovernmental collaboration.
Finally, the ASEAN Guide on AI Governance and Ethics framework still requires further development. Regulatory oversight is essential as the technology grows, and investing in research will make it easier to be aware of and manage potential risks.
Possibilities for green tech synergy in Southeast Asia
While artificial intelligence is the future, the cost of adoption remains high, and investment is necessary to build a robust green tech startup ecosystem. By harnessing the power of the technology, Southeast Asia can reap USD 950 billion by 2030.
Green tech in Southeast Asia must integrate with new technologies like AI to adequately address the negative impacts of climate change on the people, economy, and environment. Even so, the region must balance innovation and regulation to enable the technology to thrive and positively impact many industries.