With the increasing impact of climate change on all areas of life, it is worth taking a closer look at how the use of AI in business can benefit our planet.
The digital revolution has inexorably changed the way businesses operate. In 2018, 34% of business processes were still paper-based, but by 2021 this had reduced to just 23%. This illustrates the gradual transition to a paperless business world.
But why is this change so significant? What are the benefits of AI-based document processing and how can it drive sustainability in your business?
We will answer these questions in the following lines and you will see that the benefits of this digital revolution are more than convincing.
Energy efficiency through digital processes
The use of digital processes opens up impressive opportunities for significant energy savings in your company and in paper manufacturing. A recent study by
viadesk in 2020 found that the average employee used around 3850.33 sheets of paper in the same year. Imagine what would happen if we replaced these vast amounts of paper with digital processes. The savings achieved would not be underestimated.
Energy-saving alternatives in the office
But that’s not all. Think of all the printers in your company that are in use every day. Let’s assume that one employee also prints the aforementioned 3850.33 sheets of paper per year. This results in a considerable electricity consumption of 1642.5 kWh per year. Eliminating printing habits could not only reduce the environmental impact, but also cut your energy costs by around €236.61 per employee per year.
Energy-efficient archiving
Another important aspect of saving energy is the reduced need for physical archiving and administration. If you archive documents and data digitally, there is no need for air-conditioned and illuminated archive rooms. This is not only good for your environmental footprint, but also for your wallet and the well-being of your employees.
Digital document revolution: Less congestion on the road, more flexibility in the office
The automation of document processing not only has a noticeable impact on efficiency in the office, it also revolutionizes employees’ day-to-day work. Automation allows them to work from the comfort of their own home or take advantage of flexible working arrangements. This not only has the pleasant side effect of shortening the commute to work, but may even make it completely unnecessary.
According to a study by the
Federal Environment Agency, the average commute to work is responsible for a whopping 29.9 kilograms of CO2 emissions per week. If we convert this to a five-day working week, we are talking about an impressive 1,040 kilograms of CO2 emissions per year!
Sustainability First Strategy
Sustainability is not just a short-term trend – it is the key to a successful corporate strategy and a positive image. According to
Forbes, 88% of consumers are more loyal to companies that are committed to environmental issues. And that’s not all, as a study by IBM shows that a whopping 66% of consumers are willing to pay more for products and services from environmentally friendly companies.
These figures make it clear that a company’s commitment to sustainability not only protects the environment, but also directly influences customer loyalty and strengthens brand reputation. And while it may seem expensive at first glance to potentially go paperless, such a change pays off in the long run for the company’s success. So it’s not just good for the environment, it’s also good for your business and your reputation.
Percentage of companies that agree with the following benefits:
Source: Capgemini Research Institute 2020
In conclusion, sustainability and automation go hand in hand and this connection is crucial for your business. The digital revolution not only offers efficient work processes, but also the opportunity to conserve resources and be environmentally conscious.
It is time to recognize the benefits of this connection and steer your company in a sustainable and future-oriented direction. Because in a world of change, the combination of efficiency and environmental responsibility is the key to long-term success.
