A new set of AI-driven tools to support sustainable urban development and energy planning, with a focus on addressing challenges faced by developing regions, has been launched at COP29.
The toolkit, unveiled by IBM and Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), will seek to bridge critical data gaps and empower decision-makers with actionable insights for urbanisation and energy infrastructure needs, the developers noted.
AI integration
“At Sustainable Energy for All, we believe that integrating AI in the energy sector planning and evidence – especially for developing countries – will go a long way in designing comprehensive solutions for many of the developmental challenges currently facing the Global South and its people,” commented Damilola Ogunbiyi, CEO and special representative of the UN secretary general for Sustainable Energy for All, and co-chair of UN-Energy.
“The Open Building Insights (OBI) Tool, that SEforALL has developed in collaboration with IBM, will help energy planners overcome critical data gap challenges to inform energy access and energy transition interventions, and better deliver results for those most in need.”
Developed using IBM’s watsonx AI and data platform, the toolkit enables policymakers to differentiate between residential and non-residential buildings, enabling more precise green energy and infrastructure planning.
It integrates data from the German Aerospace Center, Open Energy Maps, and IBM’s AI models, making its insights accessible to non-technical users.
Among its current applications worldwide, it’s currently being utilised in Makueni County, Kenya, where it has informed energy planning measures that are set to benefit over one million citizens by 2030.
‘Unlock innovation’
“At IBM, we’re proud to launch solutions that harness the power of artificial intelligence to have an impact for communities around the world,” added John Matogo, corporate social responsibility leader for Africa and the Middle East at IBM.
“Collaborating with organisations such as Sustainable Energy for All through our IBM Sustainability Accelerator program helps us unlock innovation and work more closely in communities to tackle some of our biggest challenges, especially around energy and sustainable urban development.” Read more here.
