Practical Performances of IT and AI Technologies to Realize Material Resources Circulation and Circular Economy Concepts

Abstract

Practical examples of digital transformation involving IT and AI technologies are explained, including technology aimed at increasing business profits while at the same time decreasing CO₂ emissions from waste collection vehicles. The quantitative effects of an AI-driven waste collection vehicle dispatching system and all-in-one B2B online web portal to support contract and manifest are introduced based on real operation results since 2014 and improvement in management over the last one year. Problems and solutions for realizing material resources circulation and circular economy concepts are discussed in the paper, referencing some of the weaker points observed in the operations at Japanese companies.