Delighted to have joined the Barclays Sustainable & Transition Finance Conference on the panel “AI, Technology and Its Role in Transition”, where our Founder and CEO Jason Tu, alongside industry leaders Khan Yow (Managing Director and Head of ESG, Seraya Partners), Mary Jacques (Executive Director of Global ESG, Lenovo), and host Denis Wong (Co-Head of Sustainable Banking Group, Asia Pacific, Barclays), explored AI’s dual role in accelerating the net-zero transition while addressing its environmental footprint, particularly in APAC.

Here are some key insights from Jason:

🔹 Talent Gap in AI Adoption
One of the most pressing issues highlighted was the significant talent gap in AI adoption. As Jason emphasized, there’s a critical need for product managers who can navigate the complexities of finance, sustainability, engineering, technology, and AI. These professionals are essential for identifying real-world pain points and applying AI solutions effectively. For example, classifying loan descriptions for sustainable finance is a complex task that requires deep expertise in both financial and sustainability criteria.

🔹 Real-World Application Challenges
The panel also explored the methodological challenges in applying AI to sustainability problems, such as calculating the carbon footprint of data centers and software products. This requires not only advanced technology but also the development of new methodologies to accurately assess and reduce emissions.

🔹 Cross-Sector Collaboration
A recurring theme was the importance of collaboration within the sustainability ecosystem. Bringing together the corporate world, finance, and technology sectors is crucial to addressing the challenges posed by AI and driving meaningful progress toward a sustainable future.

Jason aptly puts it, "The biggest gap in the industry is product managers who understand the true capabilities of AI and can apply them to real-world problems." This resonates deeply as we see the demand for such talent growing exponentially.

As we continue to explore the intersection of AI and sustainability, it’s clear that nurturing talent and fostering cross-sector partnerships will be key to unlocking AI’s potential for a sustainable future.