Few topics are as popular today as artificial intelligence (AI) and sustainability. Since the 1970s, concerns about our shared environment have steadily increased, leading to the development of concepts like sustainability and sustainable development. But how does this concept, which has been around for nearly half a century, connect with AI? And can AI help improve sustainability?
In this article, we explore the intersection of AI and sustainability within the hospitality industry, which has seen a strong recovery since the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions and remains a vital sector in Europe. However, the rise of extensive and affordable travel brings challenges to the sustainability of this industry. This is why intersection between AI and sustainability is particularly intriguing to us.
With many strong vocational schools in Europe dedicated solely to the hospitality and travel industry, it is crucial to equip students with the knowledge and skills to implement eco-friendly practices in their daily activities. AI can play a significant role in this effort – it offers innovative solutions for training students, monitoring their progress, and providing feedback. Moreover, AI has numerous real-world applications that students will encounter once they enter the workforce.
While still in training, students can benefit from AI-driven resource management simulations. AI can create unique scenarios for a hotel or restaurant that mimic real-world situations, placing students in positions where they must make decisions on sustainability-related aspects of the hospitality business, such as energy use, water consumption, and waste management. Simultaneously, students can learn about AI’s capabilities, such as using predictive analytics to forecast resource needs (like the amount of food required in a hotel kitchen), thereby minimizing waste. AI-generated scenarios also allow students to engage with tasks tailored to their specific interests – such as hotel management, restaurant management, or airline operations. This personalized learning approach ensures that each student gains expertise in sustainability practices most relevant to their future careers.
AI technologies can monitor a student’s performance in sustainability-focused tasks and provide real-time feedback. For example, AI tools can assess how effectively a student manages a simulated green hotel operation and provide suggestions for improvement. This immediate feedback helps students learn and adapt their practices to meet sustainability standards.
Real-world applications of AI in the hospitality industry are numerous and constantly expanding. For example, many hotel chains use AI to train staff on sustainability initiatives, such as energy-efficient building management systems, waste reduction programs, and water conservation techniques. AI is also employed to monitor the use of these resources. The accessibility of AI makes it possible for smaller independent establishments to adopt similar tools. Additionally, AI-driven predictive analytics can help project needs and minimize waste. As customer demand for eco-friendly options continues to grow, these initiatives not only promote sustainability but also serve as a valuable boost for business.
Another interesting application comes in form of assistance in certification. With many sustainability certifications available, some obligatory and some voluntary, AI is used to simulate the certification process, helping to understand the requirements and steps needed
to achieve and maintain these credentials. AI can also support continuous learning and professional development in sustainability, providing up-to-date information on new regulations, technologies, and best practices. This is particularly important in an industry where sustainability standards and technologies are rapidly evolving.
By focusing on these AI applications, vocational education programs can ensure that their students are prepared to meet the growing demand for sustainable practices in the hospitality industry, positioning them as valuable assets in a rapidly changing job market.
