The Sustainability Imperative

Jacek Chmiel draws attention to the increasing energy consumption by the electronic devices integrated into our daily lives. In addition to the ubiquitous mobile devices we all carry around, there are billions of devices, not to mention back-end servers, all of which consume energy. Exacerbating this problem are ML and distributed ledger technol­ogies, such as blockchain, that require intensive computing cycles, and use even more energy. The good news is that a greener software development strategy can have significant impact on energy usage of electronic devices. Chmiel explains the challenges to implementing this strategy and how organizations can overcome them.

Cutter Consortium Senior Consultant Curt Hall presents intriguing examples of how corporations and governments use AI and compatible technologies to move us toward a more sustainable world. He explains how many companies are using AI to reduce the energy consumption of … AI(!) and other digital technologies. He illustrates innovative technology-based solutions being developed for tracking carbon emissions and presents a selection of companies targeting key infra­structure areas for carbon reduction initiatives (e.g., data centers, transportation, waste management).

A challenge we face today is how to leverage technology to move us toward a more sustainable future, while mitigating its own impact. This issue of Cutter Business Technology Journal explores the dual sides of the technology sword — the potential for environmental benefit and harm — and, in true karmic spirit, how technology can help itself be more sustainable.

Cutter Consortium conducted an interview with Dejan Jakovljevic, CIO and Director of the United Nations (UN) Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), on how FAO uses technology to reduce world hunger. Jakovljevic tells us how FAO has embraced digital technologies to not only improve its own internal processes but also to develop tools for its members. He explains how FAO transformed from a traditional sequential project management process to a nimble, risk-taking process better suited to addressing the needs of our rapidly changing world.

The Technology in Business Schools Roundtable (TBSr) is a global organization composed of technology leaders who are responsible for managing IT in business schools across the US and Canada. This Advisor outlines several clear examples of how the TBSr board of directors effectively applied four DEI leadership actions to initiate their own journey.

Why is the diversity needle not moving? What needs to happen to truly make a systemic change this time, versus the many previous attempts? In this Advisor, we debunk three pervasive myths around the challenges of building more diverse workforces.

It is through this issue of Cutter Business Technology Journal (CBTJ) that we hope to remind CEOs of the challenges that remain unaddressed and out of balance. The authors speak from personal experiences, exten­sive research, and a deep desire to contribute toward changing the DEI narrative. They share proven best practices and procedural changes that must be followed so that this time, the outcomes of CEOs’ commitments will look different, and those impacted will finally be able to have more equitable work and life experiences.

Keren Joseph-Browning analyzes gender stereotypes that may be holding back female leaders. Her research shows there isn’t a lack of qualified women in the pipeline, though many believe the opposite. Joseph-Browning then draws a line between these beliefs and the stereotypes impeding women’s ascension into leadership positions.