Alibaba Cloud, the leading cloud computing company, is taking the Hangzhou Asian Games to new heights by infusing sustainability and inclusivity through the power of artificial intelligence (AI) tools. This innovative initiative not only showcases their technological prowess but also paves the way for a greener and more inclusive world. 🏆
Embracing Sustainability with AI 🌱
Alibaba Cloud has introduced a sustainability web application that acts as a catalyst for eco-friendly behavior within the Asian Games’ villages. Athletes, reporters, and staff are rewarded for environmentally conscious actions. Through this app, participants can record their eco-friendly activities by scanning QR codes, such as avoiding plastic bags and reducing food waste. These accumulated points can be redeemed for exclusive Asian Games-themed pins and low-carbon products.
Consumption-based emissions contributed to 53% of China’s carbon dioxide emissions in 2019 (source).
Additionally, Alibaba Cloud deploys the Energy Expert sustainability platform to reduce emissions from Asian Games-licensed products and village stores. By optimizing carbon footprints and recommending eco-friendly practices, the platform has already achieved a remarkable 0.15 kg per item reduction in one of the mascots’ carbon footprint.
Alibaba Cloud’s expertise in driving sustainability through digital technology is evident, as stated by William Xiong, Vice President of Alibaba Cloud Intelligence and General Manager of Enterprise Service Cloud. 🌍
The sustainability web application has garnered more than 310,000 visits, facilitating over 7 tons of carbon reduction across the Asian Games villages since their opening on September 16. 🌎
Sign Language Avatars for Inclusivity 🤟
To make the Asian Para Games more accessible to individuals with hearing impairments, Alibaba Cloud has introduced “Xiaomo,” a digital avatar. This avatar enables two-way translation between sign language and Chinese spoken language.
Xiaomo can be accessed via a mini-app on the Alipay payment platform. Powered by visual recognition and motion-tracking technology, this avatar can translate sign language into spoken words using a language translation model. It also performs the reverse, translating spoken language into sign language, thanks to a deep neural network. This comprehensive dataset is a result of Alibaba Cloud’s tireless work over two years, gathering and annotating 25,000 signs from sign-language practitioners and the hard-of-hearing in China’s Zhejiang province.
During the Asian Para Games, participants with hearing loss can tap into the mini-app to communicate with volunteers for assistance, be it for directions, medical aid, or daily necessities shopping. The potential for Xiaomo extends beyond the Games, as it can serve individuals with hearing impairments in various public services, including medical aid, legal assistance, and banking services.
As per the World Health Organization, over 1.5 billion people, roughly 20% of the global population, face hearing loss, highlighting the significance and impact of such a pioneering initiative. 🌍👂
In summary, Alibaba Cloud’s AI-driven tools are not just transforming the Hangzhou Asian Games but are also setting a precedent for a more sustainable and inclusive world. With innovative applications that encourage eco-friendly practices and empower the hearing-impaired, Alibaba Cloud is championing a brighter and more accessible future for all. 🚀🌏
