When AI Meets ESG: New Book Reveals Corporate Transformation Opportunities
Central News Agency has launched a new book, "When AI Meets ESG: How 36 Companies Successfully Transformed," exploring the potential for AI to accelerate corporate ESG and green transformation. It presents strategies and challenges for sustainable management using AI through numerous corporate case studies.
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- 📰 Published: May 6, 2026 at 18:11
- 🔍 Collected: May 6, 2026 at 18:31 (20 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 7, 2026 at 00:50 (6h 18m after Collected)
Brand Narrative
What sparks will fly when AI meets ESG? Central News Agency conducted in-depth interviews with frontline workers across various industries and launched a new book, "When AI Meets ESG: How 36 Companies Successfully Transformed." On April 22, Earth Day, a book launch and the first in a series of forums were held in Taipei, inviting industry, government, and academia to discuss new opportunities for green transformation brought by intelligent tools.
Following the publication of "28 Lessons on Carbon Trading" and "Essential Courses for Corporate Net Zero" in the past two years, Central News Agency this year launched the third installment of its net-zero sustainability series, "When AI Meets ESG: How 36 Companies Successfully Transformed." It features the digital and sustainability transformation stories of 36 hidden champions and startup teams, showing readers the breakthrough strategies of Taiwanese enterprises.
Central News Agency Chairman Li Yongde stated in his speech that two years ago, on the occasion of CNA's centenary, looking back at history, it has always been committed to the free flow and sharing of news internationally, but also pondered what new mission it could undertake in the next hundred years. CNA's core competence is interviewing, and during the interviewing process, it deeply felt the profound anxiety and urgent learning needs of the public and enterprises regarding ESG, coupled with the revolutionary changes brought by AI in the past two years, which have brought huge changes to people's lives. The combination of ESG and AI, two major trends, is a perfect match. Therefore, CNA leveraged its strengths to tell the transformation stories of enterprises.
Li Yongde pointed out that when new ideas emerge, the most effective way to learn is to refer to cases. The cases included in the book show that AI and ESG transformation are not the exclusive domain of large conglomerates; small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can also achieve outstanding results with limited resources with the assistance of the government.
Jan Yeu-Sin, Chairman of the Taiwan Institute for Sustainable Energy, stated in his speech that Central News Agency has always been a leader in the media industry in advocating for sustainable values and promoting actions, and Taiwan's net-zero transformation achievements are truly commendable, with excellent results in the "S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook 2026" and the Dow Jones Sustainability Index. In the early days, companies did ESG for "compliance," but now they must create value through "innovation," and AI is the best tool to accelerate ESG development.
Chuang Ming-Chih, Chief Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, stated that the traditional view is that manufacturing is a source of carbon emissions and that net-zero sustainability can only be achieved by reducing carbon. However, the industry should be regarded as a provider of low-carbon and carbon-free products and services, and it is a solution for achieving net-zero goals.
"When AI meets ESG, it is definitely a match made in heaven." Lin Chun-Hsiu, Director-General of the Digital Industry Agency, Ministry of Digital Affairs, pointed out that AI plays a dual role. Although AI computing centers are called "power-hungry monsters," the Ministry of Digital Affairs is also committed to promoting energy-saving and carbon reduction projects for computing centers; however, companies introducing AI can also effectively reduce carbon emissions and are regarded by various countries as a key tool for green growth and net-zero transformation.
He stated that to build Taiwan's AI industry ecosystem, the Ministry of Digital Affairs has proposed specific policy tools covering five major aspects: computing resources, data infrastructure, talent cultivation, marketing, and funding. For example, it provides AI startups with their "first computing power" to reduce the burden of initial R&D for operators. The National Development Fund has also allocated NT$10 billion specifically to invest in AI-related startups.
After the book launch ceremony, Professor Li Congzhen of the Institute of Sustainability Management and Environmental Education, National Taiwan Normal University, introduced the forum, pointing out that the intervention of AI is triggering an industrial revolution-level change that will reshape the governance path of corporate ESG.
She stated that corporate social responsibility has evolved from simple "donations" in the early days to communication with stakeholders, which includes public expectations for environmental pollution, noise, transparency, and demands for responsibility across the supply chain. In addition, domestic and international regulations such as the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), the "Climate Change Response Act," and the implementation of carbon fees, as well as geopolitical risks caused by war, such as energy supply security, have become multiple challenges for current corporate operations.
However, when AI meets ESG, it can generate three levels of transformation. She pointed out that in the past, corporate ESG reports often diverged from actual governance. After introducing AI, evidence-based governance can be achieved through scientific evidence and methods, truly integrating sustainability indicators into the corporate system. Secondly, in the past, companies often passively responded to risks. AI can assist companies in planning risk strategies in advance through simulations (e.g., warming of 1.5 degrees Celsius or 2 degrees). Thirdly, traditional ESG reports mostly involved annual statistics and disclosures. AI can provide real-time monitoring and decision-making, achieving real-time governance.
Li Congzhen proposed a new path for data, models, decision-making, and governance. In the future, AI will not only predict risks but also act as an "agent," integrating systemic data, building models, providing real-time decision-making references for enterprises; and through changes in governance systems, embracing sustainable development goals.
The first half of the forum featured two keynote speeches: Lin Chun-Hsiu's speech on "Digital Engine under Net-Zero Policy: National Energy Transition and AI Technology Governance," and Wu Zhen-hua, Section Chief of the Sustainable Development Group, Industrial Development Agency, Ministry of Economic Affairs, on "Smart Manufacturing for Sustainability: A New Vision for Dual Transformation in Manufacturing." The second half featured a practical discussion with Jin Haitao, General Manager of Guanglin Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd., Lin Yin-hsing, founder of Lin Yin-hsing International Co., Ltd., Kuo Yu-hsin, General Manager of Small and Medium Enterprise Credit Guarantee Fund, and Liao Ming-chien, founder and General Manager of I-Chih-Hsuan Food Co., Ltd.
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Central News Agency's in-depth international reporting brand, written by correspondents stationed in over 30 countries, bringing Taiwanese readers a diverse view of the world.
Central News Agency's in-depth international reporting brand, written by correspondents stationed in over 30 countries, bringing Taiwanese readers a diverse view of the world.
This website uses relevant technologies to provide a better reading experience while respecting user privacy. Click here to learn more.
Keywords:
What sparks will fly when AI meets ESG? Central News Agency conducted in-depth interviews with frontline workers across various industries and launched a new book, "When AI Meets ESG: How 36 Companies Successfully Transformed." On April 22, Earth Day, a book launch and the first in a series of forums were held in Taipei, inviting industry, government, and academia to discuss new opportunities for green transformation brought by intelligent tools.
Following the publication of "28 Lessons on Carbon Trading" and "Essential Courses for Corporate Net Zero" in the past two years, Central News Agency this year launched the third installment of its net-zero sustainability series, "When AI Meets ESG: How 36 Companies Successfully Transformed." It features the digital and sustainability transformation stories of 36 hidden champions and startup teams, showing readers the breakthrough strategies of Taiwanese enterprises.
Central News Agency Chairman Li Yongde stated in his speech that two years ago, on the occasion of CNA's centenary, looking back at history, it has always been committed to the free flow and sharing of news internationally, but also pondered what new mission it could undertake in the next hundred years. CNA's core competence is interviewing, and during the interviewing process, it deeply felt the profound anxiety and urgent learning needs of the public and enterprises regarding ESG, coupled with the revolutionary changes brought by AI in the past two years, which have brought huge changes to people's lives. The combination of ESG and AI, two major trends, is a perfect match. Therefore, CNA leveraged its strengths to tell the transformation stories of enterprises.
Li Yongde pointed out that when new ideas emerge, the most effective way to learn is to refer to cases. The cases included in the book show that AI and ESG transformation are not the exclusive domain of large conglomerates; small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can also achieve outstanding results with limited resources with the assistance of the government.
Jan Yeu-Sin, Chairman of the Taiwan Institute for Sustainable Energy, stated in his speech that Central News Agency has always been a leader in the media industry in advocating for sustainable values and promoting actions, and Taiwan's net-zero transformation achievements are truly commendable, with excellent results in the "S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook 2026" and the Dow Jones Sustainability Index. In the early days, companies did ESG for "compliance," but now they must create value through "innovation," and AI is the best tool to accelerate ESG development.
Chuang Ming-Chih, Chief Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, stated that the traditional view is that manufacturing is a source of carbon emissions and that net-zero sustainability can only be achieved by reducing carbon. However, the industry should be regarded as a provider of low-carbon and carbon-free products and services, and it is a solution for achieving net-zero goals.
"When AI meets ESG, it is definitely a match made in heaven." Lin Chun-Hsiu, Director-General of the Digital Industry Agency, Ministry of Digital Affairs, pointed out that AI plays a dual role. Although AI computing centers are called "power-hungry monsters," the Ministry of Digital Affairs is also committed to promoting energy-saving and carbon reduction projects for computing centers; however, companies introducing AI can also effectively reduce carbon emissions and are regarded by various countries as a key tool for green growth and net-zero transformation.
He stated that to build Taiwan's AI industry ecosystem, the Ministry of Digital Affairs has proposed specific policy tools covering five major aspects: computing resources, data infrastructure, talent cultivation, marketing, and funding. For example, it provides AI startups with their "first computing power" to reduce the burden of initial R&D for operators. The National Development Fund has also allocated NT$10 billion specifically to invest in AI-related startups.
After the book launch ceremony, Professor Li Congzhen of the Institute of Sustainability Management and Environmental Education, National Taiwan Normal University, introduced the forum, pointing out that the intervention of AI is triggering an industrial revolution-level change that will reshape the governance path of corporate ESG.
She stated that corporate social responsibility has evolved from simple "donations" in the early days to communication with stakeholders, which includes public expectations for environmental pollution, noise, transparency, and demands for responsibility across the supply chain. In addition, domestic and international regulations such as the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), the "Climate Change Response Act," and the implementation of carbon fees, as well as geopolitical risks caused by war, such as energy supply security, have become multiple challenges for current corporate operations.
However, when AI meets ESG, it can generate three levels of transformation. She pointed out that in the past, corporate ESG reports often diverged from actual governance. After introducing AI, evidence-based governance can be achieved through scientific evidence and methods, truly integrating sustainability indicators into the corporate system. Secondly, in the past, companies often passively responded to risks. AI can assist companies in planning risk strategies in advance through simulations (e.g., warming of 1.5 degrees Celsius or 2 degrees). Thirdly, traditional ESG reports mostly involved annual statistics and disclosures. AI can provide real-time monitoring and decision-making, achieving real-time governance.
Li Congzhen proposed a new path for data, models, decision-making, and governance. In the future, AI will not only predict risks but also act as an "agent," integrating systemic data, building models, providing real-time decision-making references for enterprises; and through changes in governance systems, embracing sustainable development goals.
The first half of the forum featured two keynote speeches: Lin Chun-Hsiu's speech on "Digital Engine under Net-Zero Policy: National Energy Transition and AI Technology Governance," and Wu Zhen-hua, Section Chief of the Sustainable Development Group, Industrial Development Agency, Ministry of Economic Affairs, on "Smart Manufacturing for Sustainability: A New Vision for Dual Transformation in Manufacturing." The second half featured a practical discussion with Jin Haitao, General Manager of Guanglin Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd., Lin Yin-hsing, founder of Lin Yin-hsing International Co., Ltd., Kuo Yu-hsin, General Manager of Small and Medium Enterprise Credit Guarantee Fund, and Liao Ming-chien, founder and General Manager of I-Chih-Hsuan Food Co., Ltd.
*Not satisfied with a single article? "Global Central" print magazine and e-magazine are on special offer.
*Subscribe to print magazine "Global Central Subscription Form"
*Physical magazine sales: Eslite Bookstore
*E-magazine sales platforms: Central News Agency e-bookstore, Amazon e-bookstore, Google Play Books, Hyweb e-books, Hwa Yi e-books, Hami e-books, KOBO, Books.com.tw e-books, Readmoo e-books, TAAZE e-books, BOOK☆WALKER, United Reading Bar, Kono e-magazine, momo shopping network, etc.
Central News Agency's in-depth international reporting brand, written by correspondents stationed in over 30 countries, bringing Taiwanese readers a diverse view of the world.
Central News Agency's in-depth international reporting brand, written by correspondents stationed in over 30 countries, bringing Taiwanese readers a diverse view of the world.
This website uses relevant technologies to provide a better reading experience while respecting user privacy. Click here to learn more.
Keywords: