Delta, a global leader in power and energy management, has partnered with Economist Impact, a division of The Economist Group, to release a comprehensive global research report titled “Greening Intelligence: Charting the Future of Sustainable AI.” This groundbreaking study surveys over 600 global companies spanning the AI supply chain and application sectors. With insights from C-level executives and prominent AI enterprises, the report explores pressing sustainability challenges in AI, including power-grid resilience, energy efficiency, and the rise of edge computing.
Balancing AI Growth with Climate Responsibility
1. Delta’s Commitment to Sustainable AI
- Delta is advancing technologies that support both AI scalability and environmental sustainability.
- CEO Ping Cheng emphasized that AI’s rapid expansion coincides with the urgency of climate change, calling for an industry-wide push for greener innovation.
- Delta’s contributions include:
- Microgrid technologies that strengthen grid resilience and energy efficiency.
- AI containerized data center solutions for sustainable edge computing.
- Active membership in the Coalition for Sustainable AI, marking it as the first Taiwanese company to join this global alliance.
2. Themes from the Global Report
- Conducted by Economist Impact with Delta’s support, the research highlights how AI stakeholders are preparing for a more energy-conscious future:
- 44% currently consider energy efficiency important in AI operations — rising to 78% in the next 12 months.
- 38% of supply-side respondents cite grid resilience as a major sustainability challenge.
- 42% see edge computing as a key driver to improve energy performance.
- 96% of AI users expect sustainability targets from suppliers within a year.
Sector-Wide Implications and Global Insights
3. Industry-Wide Representation and Data Depth
- Survey demographics:
- Over 40% of respondents are C-level executives or board members.
- Nearly 75% represent companies with global annual revenues exceeding $500 million.
- This allows for a truly representative snapshot of how AI’s energy demands are shaping strategic decision-making across the globe.
4. Regional and Supply Chain Variability
- The report underscores:
- Diverging sustainability priorities between regions and between AI suppliers vs. users.
- The need for alignment and shared sustainability objectives across ecosystems.
- A push for standardized metrics and frameworks to guide AI infrastructure optimization and energy audits.
Future Outlook: A Call for Cross-Sector Collaboration
5. The Next Steps for Sustainable AI
- To achieve long-term sustainable AI adoption, the report emphasizes:
- Infrastructure optimization to reduce unnecessary energy consumption.
- Improved energy auditing and governance practices.
- Greater collaboration across AI suppliers, users, infrastructure providers, and policymakers.
- Charles Ross, Asia-Pacific Principal for Technology and Innovation at Economist Impact, summarized:
“AI’s energy demands are rising, and the path to sustainability is still emerging. With Delta’s support, this report provides a critical roadmap to guide that journey.”
As AI technologies continue to scale globally, energy efficiency and sustainability must become foundational priorities. Delta’s partnership with Economist Impact, and its active role in deploying greener AI infrastructure, reflect a leadership stance that extends beyond innovation into responsible technology stewardship. The “Greening Intelligence” report offers valuable guidance for enterprises, governments, and AI solution providers navigating the dual imperative of technological advancement and environmental accountability.
