What started as a bit of fun quickly reminded me of how much goes on behind closed doors with the waste sector. This AI generated little rap (which did make me chuckle!) pulls some strong points that highlights the importance and complexity around dealing with our waste. But how much of this will soon involve AI or be replaced by AI or already has?
Does it become a contest such as The Voice, XFactor, Pop Idol, a battle of the best with only one winner? AI Vs Humans.
From what I’ve read and heard from people I’ve spoken to within the industry, some of the leading waste management businesses in the UK have already seen significant improvements in some areas using AI technologies. For example, sorting which is an integral part of the process but has its challenges when done manually, has seen recovery rates of up to 90% for which I believe AI has certainly been responsible for. Does this mean that eventually AI will take over completely making the manual sorting/picking process irrelevant?
Is it one of the biggest collaborations that doesn’t involve Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran or Beyonce? AI & Humans working together.
One article I read mentions working together with AI and has already identified areas in which AI can work with us and even protect us. Some EfW plants are using the technology as an “extra set of eyes” adding another line of defence alongside operators to prevent and predict potential shutdowns.
There have also been discussions about using AI to help project employees from having to work in undesirable environments such as loud, dusty, confined, and hazardous working areas allowing employees to pursue other avenues within the business.’
I guess the big question that everyone is asking nowadays is “AI, good or bad?” It can certainly knock out a sector specific rap and it’s not bad.
