By Guest contributor |
The disruptive force of AI is impacting every part of business operations and driving transformative change at scale. Its huge potential to solve complex, layered and interconnected challenges at an unprecedented speed is leading to its rapid adoption among businesses of all sizes and across sectors.
The 2025 Kyndryl Readiness Report, featuring insights from 3,700 business leaders across 21 countries, reveals the increasing impact of AI. For example, 87 per cent of the respondents believe that AI will completely transform job roles and responsibilities at their organisations this year and 68 per cent of them are investing heavily in some form of the technology.
AI remains at the forefront of enterprise sustainability efforts. Although conversations about AI frequently focus on boosting productivity and operational efficiency, it’s important to understand that AI includes a wide range of technologies, each offering unique applications that support different aspects of sustainability.
The third edition of the Kyndryl Global Sustainability Barometer study, commissioned by Kyndryl and Microsoft, and conducted by Ecosystm, shows a prominent shift in enterprise AI strategy. Organisations are taking a more holistic approach and increasingly integrating AI into their end-to-end sustainability practice. They are leveraging AI to transition from simply reacting to data toward making predictive forecasts. Compared with last year, 49 per cent of companies are projecting resource consumption and emissions to better prepare for future outcomes – an increase from 37 per cent last year. Additionally, 47 per cent are now prioritising the anticipation of climate-related risks, up from 30 per cent. These trends highlight a stronger focus on proactive, data-driven approaches to sustainability.
The emergence of agentic AI, systems capable of autonomous decision-making and goal-oriented actions, holds significant promise for advancing sustainability. Unlike traditional, rule-based AI, agentic systems can adapt, learn from feedback and operate in dynamic, rapidly evolving settings. With agentic AI, organisations now have an opportunity to continuously assess and identify opportunities that can quantifiably embed sustainability efficiency into their operating models, to enable actions that respond dynamically to risks and priorities.
The Global Sustainability Barometer study also shows that 30 per cent of all organisations are testing or implementing agentic AI to work towards their sustainability goals, with tangible benefits reported by early adopters in cost savings, innovation and compliance.
The increasing use of AI and digital technologies presents both advantages and challenges for enterprises. The Global Sustainability Barometer study reveals a growing awareness and evaluation of AI’s overall sustainability impact, with 43 per cent of organisations taking environmental considerations into account when implementing AI, up from 35 per cent last year. The massive energy required for AI processes can be difficult to detect but may greatly influence the collective carbon emissions of a company. Factoring in these environmental impacts when making modernisation choices helps organisations maximise the benefits of AI while promoting more intelligent, data-driven operations.
As climate change directly influences financial performance and brand reputation of enterprises, businesses are beginning to treat sustainability as a core strategic priority to drive market differentiation, enhance competitiveness and build resilience.
The Global Sustainability Barometer study shows integration-focused organisations – those that embed sustainability into their core operations and empower employees to take meaningful action – lead in overall sustainability practices. For 67 per cent of integration-focused organisations, measurable return on investment and new revenue opportunities are key drivers for accelerating sustainability efforts, compared to 54 per cent among other firms.
In conclusion, as adoption grows, the role of responsible AI will only become more prominent, shaping a future where business success and sustainability go hand in hand.
Faith Taylor is senior vice president of global citizenship and sustainability at Kyndryl
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