Arlington, VA—September 24, 2024—edX, a leading global online learning platform, today announced the publication of Harnessing AI for a Sustainable Future. The report is a summary of findings from a new global survey that explores how artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as an innovative tool to tackle societal and environmental challenges.

Together with research firm Workplace Intelligence, edX surveyed 1,800 global knowledge workers and 600 U.S. C-suite executives to gain unique insight into how AI can be used to accelerate corporate sustainability efforts, which includes environmental, social, economic, cultural, and ethical impacts of a company on its stakeholders. The results revealed a significant disconnect between executives’ perspectives on the role of AI in supporting sustainability and their present ability to apply AI for this purpose.

For example, the survey found that a remarkable 75% of C-suite respondents feel their company won’t be able to achieve its sustainability goals without AI. However, 65% acknowledge  they “have no idea how” to operationalize AI to support sustainability.

Other key findings from the survey published in edX’s Harnessing AI for a Sustainable Future Report include:

• Businesses are increasingly expected to prioritize sustainable practices. 76% of the C-suite respondents say their company is under pressure from investors or other stakeholders to focus on sustainability.
• Leaders want their companies to step up their efforts. 87% of the C-suite respondents think their company needs to set more ambitious sustainability targets and 53% are “embarrassed” by their company’s sustainability efforts.
• AI is emerging as a key tool to build more sustainable practices. At companies using AI to support sustainability, 96% of the C-suite respondents say it’s improved their progress toward sustainability goals.
• Workers and leaders are both eager to learn more about this new use case for AI. 84% of employee respondents and 92% of the C-suite respondents would like to learn more about how AI can support sustainability.
• Unlike the C-suite, employees have had little access to training on how AI can improve sustainability. 72% of the C-suite respondents — but just 30% of employee respondents — say they’ve taken training on how AI can support sustainability.

“Learning and development programs that offer training on the points of connection between sustainability and AI will be essential in building the skills needed for the future,” said Dan Schawbel, Managing Partner, Workplace Intelligence. “While it’s promising that many executives have already begun to further their knowledge on this topic, leaders need to take their teams along with them if they want to drive meaningful progress.”

Building on last year’s survey on AI’s impact across all levels of the workforce, this year’s research examines shifting views on AI and its potential to drive sustainable business practices through machine learning and big data analytics for decision-making.

"AI has the potential to revolutionize how companies achieve their sustainability goals, but there's a significant gap between intention and implementation," said Anant Agarwal, Chief Academic Officer at 2U, Founder of edX, and former director of CSAIL, MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory. "This survey highlights the urgent need for leaders to recognize that advancing sustainability through AI starts with building a solid technical foundation within the workforce. Machine learning, big data, and other essential skills are critical to truly capitalizing on AI’s potential. At edX, we’re closing this gap by providing courses that equip organizations with the knowledge and skills needed to drive meaningful change at the intersection of technology and sustainability."

"This report underscores the growing influence of AI on business sustainability efforts, making it clear that AI is not only a tool for efficiency, but a driver of long-term strategic goals," said Andy Morgan, Head of edX for Business. "As companies navigate the dual challenges of sustainability and AI adoption, it's essential that the workforce not only develops technical skills like machine learning and data analytics, but also a deeper understanding of business policy and sustainability frameworks. The findings highlight an urgent need for organizations to align complementary skill areas like AI and sustainability to make a meaningful impact and remain competitive in the evolving marketplace."

To view the full findings, download edX’s Harnessing AI for a Sustainable Future Report here.

Learn more about edX for Business at https://business.edx.org/. 

Methodology

Research findings are based on a survey conducted by edX and Workplace Intelligence between May 31 and June 24, 2024. In total, 2,400 full-time employees completed the survey, including 600 C-Suite respondents (also referred to as “executives” or “leaders”) from the U.S. and 1,800 knowledge workers in non-executive roles (also referred to as “workers” or “employees”) from the U.S., UK, Canada, Germany, France, Spain, India, Singapore, and Mexico. Respondents were invited to take part in the survey via email and were provided with a small monetary incentive for doing so. 

About edX 

edX is the global online learning platform that fuels the world’s ambition. edX was developed in 2012 by Harvard and MIT to make the world’s best education available to everyone. Today, edX connects over 89 million people with online learning to meet every professional moment.

edX For Business is a comprehensive upskilling and reskilling solution, chosen and trusted by enterprises across the globe. Designed to engage every level of an organization, it offers an expansive portfolio of outcomes-based online learning programs taught by top universities and industry leaders, including curated academies in artificial intelligence, supply chain management, data analytics, sustainability, and leadership. Find out why employees of more than 60% of the Fortune 500 have trained with edX at edX.org/enterprise.

About Workplace Intelligence

Workplace Intelligence is an award-winning thought leadership and research agency focused on the world of work. We help companies, and their executives, tell their workplace story in a meaningful, relevant, and impactful way using primary data, insights, and interviews. For more information go to our website and subscribe to our Insider newsletter.

Contact

Email: press@edx.org