Generative AI and ESG

Rutgers University via Coursera

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Provider

Coursera
Pricing

Free Online Course (Audit)
Languages

English
Certificate

Paid Certificate Available
Duration & workload

9 hours 15 minutes
Sessions

On-Demand
Level

Intermediate
Subtitles

English

Found in

Overview

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This intermediate-level course equips learners with a comprehensive understanding of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles and practical mastery of applying generative AI (GenAI) technologies to enhance ESG practices. By bridging the gap between sustainability and cutting-edge AI, you'll gain the skills to drive meaningful impact in your organization and broader society. You'll start by mastering ESG and GenAI fundamentals, then explore their powerful intersection. You'll then learn to implement AI for ESG data analysis, risk assessment, and ESG reporting. Advanced topics include Retrieval Augmented Generation and fine-tuning AI models for ESG tasks. You'll tackle case studies, explore emerging trends, and discuss the implications of AI in ESG. To be successful in this course, you should have a foundational understanding of business concepts and a genuine interest in sustainability and emerging technologies. No prior technical expertise is required - we've designed the course to guide you step by step through both ESG and AI concepts. Whether you're a sustainability professional seeking to leverage AI, a data scientist moving into ESG, or a business leader driving digital transformation in sustainability, you'll be equipped to lead AI-driven sustainability initiatives and bridge the technical and strategic aspects of ESG implementation.

Syllabus

Foundations of ESG

Welcome to the "GenAI and ESG" course! This comprehensive program is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary to harness the power of generative AI (GenAI) to address the complexities of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices. Throughout the course, you will explore the evolving landscape of ESG reporting, data analysis, and regulatory compliance while discovering how GenAI can enhance transparency, efficiency, and scalability. A learner will be able to define ESG and explain its importance in the context of sustainable business practices. They will be able to identify and describe the three pillars of ESG: Environmental, Social, and Governance. Learners will also understand the key ESG standards, frameworks, and reporting practices, such as GRI, SASB, and TCFD. Additionally, they will be able to recognize and analyze examples of greenwashing and its impact on ESG credibility. Finally, they will evaluate the role of regulatory bodies, such as the SEC, in shaping ESG disclosure requirements.

Foundations of GenAI

A learner will be able to define generative AI (GenAI) and differentiate it from traditional AI approaches. They will understand the types of generative models and their capabilities, with a focus on large language models (LLMs). Learners will recognize the scale and impact of modern LLMs and appreciate their potential for transforming various industries. They will be able to identify major GenAI applications across sectors like healthcare, finance, education, and entertainment. Additionally, they will compare and evaluate key players and emerging players in the GenAI landscape.

Using GenAI in ESG

A learner will be able to recognize the challenges in ESG data collection and analysis and understand the need for AI-driven solutions. They will understand the advantages of implementing GenAI in ESG practices, such as enhanced transparency, efficiency, and scalability. Learners will be able to identify key AI technologies enabling ESG transformation and their potential applications. They will explain the limitations of traditional ESG rating agencies and the benefits of using GenAI for automated ESG analysis. Additionally, learners will utilize GenAI for ESG risk assessment across climate, social, and governance dimensions, as well as for improving stakeholder engagement and communication. Finally, they will identify opportunities for leveraging GenAI to drive sustainable product design, resource optimization, and supply chain management.

Advanced Implementation Techniques in ESG

By the end of this module, learners will master advanced GenAI implementation techniques for ESG applications. They'll be able to craft effective prompts to guide AI models towards producing accurate and relevant ESG outputs, apply retrieval augmented generation (RAG) to enhance models with current ESG information, and fine-tune pre-trained models on specific ESG datasets. Additionally, they'll gain the ability to critically compare and select the most appropriate AI implementation approach—whether RAG, fine-tuning, or prompt engineering—for diverse ESG use cases, ensuring optimal performance in sustainability-related tasks.

Case Exercises - Extracting Data from ESG Reports

By the end of this module, learners will be proficient in applying GenAI techniques to extract and analyze critical ESG data from sustainability reports, including environmental metrics like Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, as well as diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) information. They will understand major ESG reporting standards such as GRI and use this knowledge to guide AI-driven data extraction processes. Additionally, learners will develop the skills to critically evaluate the accuracy of AI-extracted ESG data through manual verification and error analysis, enabling them to reflect on the benefits and challenges of automating ESG analysis with GenAI. This practical expertise will empower learners to leverage AI effectively in real-world ESG data processing and benchmarking scenarios.

Future Trends and Ethical Concerns in AI for ESG

By the end of this module, learners will be equipped to navigate the complex ethical landscape of AI in ESG practices. They'll be able to identify and analyze key ethical considerations such as data privacy, algorithmic bias, and transparency, while understanding the crucial role of explainable AI in building trust and accountability. Learners will gain insight into the current and evolving regulatory landscape surrounding AI governance and ESG standardization. Furthermore, they'll develop a forward-looking perspective on leveraging AI for sustainable impact, balancing the opportunities with potential challenges. This comprehensive understanding will enable learners to make informed, ethical decisions when implementing AI solutions in ESG contexts.