Artificial intelligence is transforming industries worldwide, driving efficiency, sustainability, and innovation. As we go into 2025, business leaders from diverse sectors share their perspectives on how AI is shaping the future of energy, sustainability, retail, and water management. These insights illuminate the opportunities and challenges posed by AI, as well as the critical need for balancing innovation with ecological and social responsibility.
What Sectors Are Covered in This Article?
- Energy:
AI's role in optimising power generation, distribution, and renewable energy integration. - Sustainability:
Balancing AI innovation with ecological responsibility and reducing its environmental footprint. - Retail & Customer Loyalty:
Enhancing customer engagement and personalisation through AI-powered solutions. - Water Management:
Leveraging AI for sustainable water usage, distribution efficiency, and achieving net-zero goals.
Our Experts in the Article:
- Simon Roberts, CEO of Heatio
Focus: AI in the energy sector - Marcus Knight, Founder of Be Green AI
Focus: AI and sustainability - Attila Kecsmar CEO and Co-Founder of Antavo
Focus: AI in retail and customer loyalty - Steve Harding CEO and Founder of Showerkap
Focus: AI-driven water management
Simon Roberts, CEO of Heatio
Commented: “In the rapidly evolving landscape of the energy sector, the integration of AI has become a pivotal driver of efficiency gains and environmental sustainability efforts.
One of AI's most significant applications lies in optimising power generation assets. We are developing a demand flexibility platform that maximises output through advanced data analytics and predictive maintenance models while minimising downtime and operational costs. Energy consumption patterns are analysed through AI and machine learning to deliver lower-cost energy and shift demand during peak periods
We can use AI algorithms to proactively identify potential issues, ensuring uninterrupted energy production and extending the lifespan of critical infrastructure. Furthermore, AI-driven systems are revolutionising the management of electricity distribution networks. Through real-time monitoring of electricity usage patterns, suppliers can adjust distribution strategies for optimal efficiency dynamically. By analysing vast amounts of data, AI identifies areas of high demand and reroutes power accordingly, reducing wastage and alleviating strain on the grid during peak periods.
AI is playing a crucial role in optimising renewable energy technologies and appliances within our homes and will continue to do so into the future.”
Marcus Knight founder of Be Green AI.
Commented: “It seems that 2025 is shaping up to be the year AI truly penetrates the business world. The UK has already outlined ambitious plans for an AI growth initiative aimed at driving innovation and economic expansion. While this signals exciting opportunities for businesses to leverage AI technologies, it also raises important questions about sustainability. A major boost in AI development is at odds with increasing pressure to tackle climate change. As governments and organisations look to AI as an economic driver, they must also reckon with its ecological footprint and how this conflicts with current sustainability goals, both ecological and social.
At Be Green AI, we believe AI innovation holds the key to long-term sustainability for the planet. The question is, how do we reach that stage without causing irreversible environmental damage? Our focus is on minimising AI’s ecological impact through actionable steps such as measuring digital footprints, investing in carbon offsetting, using green or carbon-neutral servers, supporting eco initiatives, and implementing human-centric policies. By taking responsibility for AI usage, startups can demonstrate that innovation can benefit both the economy and the planet.
So 2025 may be the year for us to ask: how can we harness AI’s potential while safeguarding the environment? The answer lies in balancing ambition with accountability, and ensuring sustainability is a fundamental policy of government's AI agendas”
For any feedback or comments, or if you would like to be featured, please contact us at hello@thetechnational.com
Attila Kecsmar, Antavo’s CEO and Co-founder.
Commented: “Brands are entering a new growth frontier underpinned by AI. The integration of AI empowers them to foster deeper, more meaningful relationships with customers while ensuring their programmes remain competitive and relevant.
AI has the potential to revolutionise the loyalty industry in particular, by further enhancing personalisation, streamlining operations, and driving customer engagement. Many programme owners already feel comfortable using AI-powered agents to support in the management of their loyalty initiatives, and the majority of consumers are open to AI-driven loyalty programmes. The time is ripe for brands to capitalise on the massive, and very real, promise of AI and get it right early on to stay ahead of consumers’ needs.”
AI has the potential to help brands and retailers streamline and revolutionise loyalty through a wide range of use cases - from 24/7 customer service, sentiment analysis, and analyzing zero-party data to real-time performance reports and ROI optimisation.
Agencies are early adopters when it comes to experimenting with AI, as they have a much larger perspective when it comes to industry trends in general, and are more likely to come up with innovative use cases for AI in loyalty. This means that brands should work with agencies to develop AI initiatives if they want access to better AI adoption.”
Steve Harding, CEO and founder Showerkap
Commented:“Water scarcity is ranked by the UN as one of the planet’s top five environmental risks, and affects us all. As we head into 2025, I am excited and optimistic about the role that analytics and AI-driven innovations will play in revolutionising water sustainability.
For the first time, these technologies will help to make the hidden aspects of water consumption and distribution easily visible for some of the planet’s biggest water users, enabling them to monitor and manage their water and energy.
Data-driven solutions will enable better decision-making and help foster sustainable management practices. Modern analytics and AI tools are game-changers in water management. By providing granular insights into water usage, flow, safety and wastage - these technologies empower stakeholders to make informed decisions. There is an interconnection between water consumption, energy use, and carbon emissions. This integration is critical for advancing net-zero goals, as reducing water waste can directly impact energy savings and carbon reduction.
Artificial intelligence is also reshaping water management by modelling distribution systems to predict demand fluctuations. This predictive capability helps optimise resource allocation and cuts down on energy-intensive processes, such as unnecessary pumping or water treatment. The result? Reduced operational costs and a measurable step towards sustainability.”
