On November 2, 2024, MBA graduates and current students of THM Business School came together at the Evangelische Akademie Frankfurt to exchange ideas and gain new impulses at this year's Alumni Day under the motto “Artificial Intelligence meets Sustainability”, merging two of today’s most pivotal forces: Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Sustainability. This thematic shift made the event more than a simple reunion, it became a forward-looking platform for discussing how AI could drive innovations in sustainability and reshape the future of business in meaningful ways.

The event focused on AI as a catalyst for sustainable innovation aligned with the broader global movement towards digital transformation and environmental responsibility. Many organizations are now seeking ways to use AI not only to improve business efficiency but also to address global challenges like climate change, law enforcement, and waste management.

The day began with a welcome from the Alumni Association by Stefano Chevenini (Chair of THM MBA Alumni), followed by an inspiring series of lectures.

Highlights of the day:

• Keynote by Christian Schwehm (CALCO₂LUTION): In “Savior of Sustainability or Danger for Inclusion and Resources?” he addressed the need for immediate, local action, suggesting that companies and individuals start by focusing on their “own backyards” rather than shifting blame. AI aids this initiative by providing actionable insights at every level, from individual contributors to entire organizations. The main connection he drew between AI and sustainability involves using data-driven methods to assess and optimize carbon footprints across organizations.
• Christian Koch (lawyer at KKP.law) spoke about the legal and ethical challenges of AI use and shed light on the balance between innovation and regulation, especially the new EU AI Act. He emphasized the call for careful balance between technological innovation and the responsible governance of AI systems. By developing robust legal frameworks and adhering to ethical principles, he seemed to be confident that AI contributes positively to global sustainability efforts, helping to address climate change, optimize resource use, and create a more equitable and sustainable world.
• Lennart Birkner (Head of ReValue at PreZero, Schwarz Group): The highlight from Lennart Birkner speech about “AI meets Sustainability – Practical Applications to Meet the Sustainability Challenge” refered to the ways in which AI is being applied to address the pressing environmental, social, and economic challenges associated with sustainability. Lennart emphasized that AI serves as a powerful catalyst for addressing the world’s most significant environmental challenges. By applying AI to various sectors, transportation, waste management, and more societies can transition toward more sustainable practices.

After a shared lunch, participants were able to design their own AI-driven marketing campaigns and get creative in Georg Neumann's workshop AI Marketing Bootcamp. He allowed participants to explore how AI-driven tools, particularly in image generation and editing, could be harnessed to create sustainable marketing campaigns. Georg emphasized that by reducing the need for physical photoshoots with professional models, AI helps minimize resource consumption, energy use, and waste in the campaign creation process, while also offering creative solutions for promoting sustainability.

Simple profile photos of MBA Alumni participants (here in the picture Ketut Adnyana)...	...were turned into photos in no time at all with the tools Flux and Stable Diffusion, showing the participants in very unusual situations and environments (AI generated image with Stable Diffusion showing a farmer, based on profile picture of Ketut Adnyana).

 

What made this THM MBA Alumni day in 2024 interesting and different from the previous one? The event stood out by focusing on the practical application of AI in achieving Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) objectives. Speakers presented real-world examples demonstrating how predictive and generative AI can drive sustainability in business. Predictive AI helped businesses by analyzing past data to forecast future trends, enabling organizations to make data-driven decisions that contribute to sustainability. Generative AI, on the other hand, offered the ability to create innovative solutions, from products to more efficient business processes, all while maintaining a focus on environmental responsibility. This focus on AI's role in ESG initiatives provided attendees with valuable insights into integrating advanced technologies for sustainable business practices.

Moreover, the last speaker Georg Neumann conducted a hands-on workshop where attendees practiced editing their own photos using AI software. By crafting precise and imaginative prompts, participants were able to generate diverse facial images, demonstrating AI's capacity to assist in creative endeavors. This exercise highlighted that while AI can enhance human creativity, it also poses a competitive challenge, underscoring the need for individuals to continually cultivate their creative skills.

Ultimately, the 2024 THM MBA Alumni Day provided a dynamic and intellectually stimulating environment where alumni could explore how AI and sustainability are jointly shaping the business landscape. The event encouraged alumni to take part in a discussion that not only addresses immediate business needs but also seeks to make a lasting impact on the world by promoting the responsible use of technology for the betterment of society and the environment. The feedback from attendees at the THM Business School Alumni Day 2024 event highlighted a strong consensus on the importance of aligning visionary strategy, practical implementation, and human behavior in AI and sustainability initiatives. By recognizing the roles of great minds (focused on high-level innovation and future possibilities), average minds (concentrating on practical execution and project management), and small minds (handling interpersonal dynamics and day-to-day details), the event participants underscored the need for AI to serve as the link that binds these different perspectives together. This cohesive approach ensures that all stakeholders — both the THM Business School and its alumni — are fully engaged in shaping a sustainable future.

Finally the participants visited TimeRide Frankfurt, where alumni experienced an immersive journey through German history using advanced Virtual Reality (VR) technology. This 360-degree experience allowed participants to explore key historical moments, such as the first National Assembly and the 1891 Electrotechnical Exhibition in Frankfurt. To conclude the event, the MBA Alumni member were taken to Paulaner am Dom in Frankfurt to experience an Oktoberfest-inspired gathering.

Author: Ketut Adnyana & Simon Kiesel; Photos: Ketut Adnyana, Jan Freidank & Simon Kiesel