This AI-driven energy efficiency app in Madrid's metro has many fans

When it comes to hyped technologies that could aid in the corporate fight against climate change, the blockchain and artificial intelligence are probably neck-in-neck. For those who view both with skepticism, I would suggest there's one big difference in the adoption cycle of the two. I can cite numerous pilot projects involving blockchain, but I think it's reasonable to doubt how it will scale. AI, on the other hand, is already driving some very real-world corporate progress toward stated sustainability goals, particularly energy efficiency. Exhibit A is the warehouse operation I wrote about in October, Lineage Logistics, which is using machine learning combined with sensors and data about weather and other parameters to reduce the amount of electricity it uses to keep food frozen. So far, it has cut annual power consumption by 33 million kilowatt-hours, saving $4 million along the way.