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World Recycling Convention topics include AI opportunities and risks

Recycling leaders discussed how AI is transforming recycling processes, boosting profits, and increasing industry collaboration

During the talk, recycling industry leaders were encouraged to consider AI’s implications.
During the talk, recycling industry leaders were encouraged to consider AI’s implications. Bureau of International Recycling (BIR)

AI was a major topic at the World Recycling Convention in Singapore, Keynote speaker Dr. Ayesha Khanna, co-founder and CEO of Addo, and Bureau of International Recycling (BIR) chair Susie Burrage, discussed the role artificial intelligence is playing in the recycling industry. According to Dr. Khanna, AI is being adopted faster than any prior technology, and recyclers "have no choice but to embrace the AI revolution or be left behind".

According to a recent Bank of America report, investing in AI could boost operating profit margins by two percent. "That may not seem like much, but it adds up to billions of dollars annually. I really want to emphasize that, in the long run, it's a game changer," said Dr. Khanna.

Dr. Khannan explained that for BIR members, AI could mean computer vision systems identifying and sorting electronic components, robotic arms dismantling devices, and automated robots extracting lithium batteries. AI was also changing "ambient" technology, such as smart glasses with built-in microphones and cameras. "You can do on-the-job training so that new employees receive instant guidance. You can do automated reporting, where somebody's walking around with the glasses and recording [inventory], or giving you live feedback according to the standards of your industry. It's exciting to be in this era now." 

Collaborate to win

During the talk, recycling industry leaders were encouraged to consider AI's implications and share insights and experiences. "I would encourage you [to get together] as a group and just brainstorm. Every industry is looking for its own use cases," Dr. Khannan said. "It's an incredible opportunity, but you must do it with proper risk management, or you could lose trust or have liability, and you won't have the success you're capable of seeing otherwise."

Dr. Khanna also highlighted the risks of AI, including phishing, deepfakes, and the potential for critical company data to be compromised by hackers. However, she stressed that tools are available to mitigate these challenges. "I have an AI consulting firm, so if anyone should be afraid, it should be me. But I'm very confident. I'm excited about it, because this means my business is going to grow."

Regulation was another topic of discussion: "In every country, they are realizing that AI is the only way to give their company a head start so they can be more competitive. But in order to do that, they must be regulated, because you have to stop companies from manipulating through AI." The speaker asserted that contrary to popular belief, governments are not lagging behind. "Governments have smart people. In the United States, president Biden has said every federal agency needs to have a chief AI officer because of this precise reason.

"I would encourage all of you to upskill yourselves to work with AI. You don't need to learn coding. You just need to learn how to work with AI."

Record membership

The BIR Convention attracted more than 1,200 delegates from over 570 companies in 59 countries. Singapore was chosen for the event because Asia is a significant consumer of recycled materials, and there's  growing membership on the continent.

Burrage announced that "for the first time in our history",  BIR now has more than 1,100 members from 73 countries. "As our membership continues to grow, so does our collective influence, benefiting the industry as a whole," she said. "Our great advocacy team has been working on many fronts, in particular on the Global Plastics Treaty and producing our third position paper, this time on international trade."

Burrage also listed a number of initiatives currently underway. These include a new corporate member service, the BIR Business Digest, with the first issue providing guidance on implementing the EU waste shipments regulation. A comprehensive environmental study on recycling is in preparation, along with a series of videos on the London Metal Exchange as part of the new BIR Academy. 

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