#80: Turning Trash Into Treasure: How AI Is Revolutionizing Waste Sorting
Hello,
This newsletter will take you about 4 minutes to read.
I. Spotlight: Turning Trash Into Treasure: How AI Is Revolutionizing Waste Sorting
The waste crisis is devastating our planet. A lot of the stuff we throw gets dumped in landfills. These massive waste disposal sites are often created by destroying forests or inhabitable lands. For example, the United States has lost land roughly the size of the state of Maryland to landfills.
Unfortunately, materials that could be recycled or composted continually end up in landfills. With waste generation projected to rise by 73% by 2050, the problem could get worse. We need more efficient and innovative solutions to manage waste.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is emerging as a powerful tool to help sort waste and divert recyclable materials away from landfills. Let’s look at some innovative solutions that improve recycling, prolong the life of existing landfills, and help us achieve our sustainability goals.
The growing waste problem
The United States leads the world in waste generation per capita, with each citizen producing an average of 1800 pounds of waste per year. Despite efforts to manage this waste, only 24% is currently recycled. This starkly contrasts with countries like South Korea and Germany, which recycle nearly 60% and 50% of their waste, respectively. This inefficiency not only strains landfill capacities but also worsens environmental and health issues.
Landfills destroy natural habitats, with over 1.8 million acres of land being used as active landfills, in addition to 6 million acres lost to landfills closed in the past. Emissions from landfills pose significant health risks to nearby communities, increasing the likelihood of congenital malformations in children by 12% and decreasing property values.
II. Industry Roundup:
1. Article: Say Hello to My New AI Marketer: How Gen AI-Based Software Is Advancing Marketing and Sales
10 minutes | Andreessen Horowitz | Seema Amble and Jeff Silverstein
Generative AI is revolutionizing marketing by enhancing content creation and making operations more dynamic and personalized. It's already showing substantial financial benefits, potentially adding $3.3 trillion globally in productivity. The evolution of marketing AI is segmented into three phases: the development of marketing copilots, the introduction of marketing agents, and the eventual rise of autonomous marketing teams. This helps in progressively automating and optimizing marketing strategies and executions.
2. Article: Three Things to Know About Prompting LLMs
02 minutes | MIT Sloan Management Review | Kaushik Viswanath
Interacting effectively with large language models (LLMs) can be enhanced by three methods: 1. Being Polite: Politeness improves LLM responses. 2. Providing Context: Supplying relevant background reduces errors or hallucinations. 3. Assigning a Role: Designating a specific expert role for the LLM before making requests enhances accuracy. These strategies reflect the sophisticated nature of LLMs and the importance of careful prompting.
III. From my Desk:
1. Article: Next-Gen Smart Warehouses: How AI Is Shaping The Modern Supply Chain
06 min | Forbes
We're recently seeing a stronger focus on de-risking supply chains. How are innovative smart warehouses changing the game? In my latest for Forbes, I cover how autonomous drones, robotic arms, and LLMs are ushering in the era of modern warehouses and transforming supply chains. I highlight 3 key challenges and how the latest innovations are addressing them. Check out real-world examples and insights from leaders at MassRobotics, VECROS, ASTM International, and WTWH Media LLC.
Thank you for subscribing and reading the newsletter. I appreciate your attention,
Ganes.
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I’m Ganes Kesari. I publish ‘Data-Driven Future’ to help understand how data shapes our world, explore key trends, and explain what they mean for you today. I speak and write to demystify data science for decision-makers and organizations.
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