Alibaba Cloud has deployed artificial intelligence (AI)-based tools to promote sustainability and inclusion at the Hangzhou Asian Games, which run until October 8, followed by the Asian Paragames in the last week of October.
The company introduced a sustainability web application aimed at encouraging green behaviors in the three Asian Games villages.
Participants can scan a QR code to register low-carbon activities, allowing them to accumulate points that can be exchanged for Asian Games-themed pins and eco-friendly products. The app has attracted more than 310,000 visitors and has recorded a reduction of more than 7 tonnes of carbon since its launch on September 16.
“Cloud-based technology helps drive the sustainable and inclusive development of the Asian Games. We want to harness the power of technology, in collaboration with our partners, to drive more people to participate in our efforts to make the Games greener and more accessible to everyone,” said Jingren Zhou, Chief Technology Officer of Alibaba Cloud Intelligence.
Additionally, Alibaba Cloud has deployed its Energy Expert sustainability platform to reduce emissions in the production of Asian Games-licensed products and the daily operations of stores in Asian Games villages.
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For example, the AI-based platform has optimized the carbon footprint of the Hangzhou Asian Games mascots, achieving a reduction of 0.15 kg of carbon per item by advising factories on increasing the use of solar energy and adoption of more ecological designs.
William Xiong, Vice President of Alibaba Cloud Intelligence and General Manager of Enterprise Service Cloud, highlighted the company’s experience in supporting sustainability initiatives of sporting events and organizations through digital technology.
To encourage inclusion, Alibaba Cloud has introduced a digital avatar called Xiaomo, designed to facilitate two-way translation between sign language and spoken Chinese.
People with hearing disabilities can access Xiaomo through a mini-app on the Alipay payment platform, allowing them to communicate with volunteers and ask for assistance in various contexts, such as directions, medical care, and shopping for basic needs.
Alibaba Cloud hopes that this technology can be extended beyond the Asian Games to help people with hearing disabilities meet their needs in public services, such as medical, legal and banking assistance. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 20% of the world’s population, or more than 1.5 billion people, have hearing loss.
Collaborator at ReporteAsia.
Source: https://reporteasia.com/negocios/2023/10/04/alibaba-cloud-impulsa-sostenibilidad-e-inclusion-en-los-juegos-asiaticos-de-hangzhou/
