This article is released in collaboration with the Global Software Awards. Asia Pacific entries close on 19th of August. Book your entry now. This article is written by Mittal Parekh, Senior Director, Products, RUCKUS Networks, CommScope.
‘Green’ has evolved from a corporate buzzword to a core business priority. Today, environmental stewardship is a standard expectation, reflected in annual reports and regulatory filings across industries. As pressure grows, the demand for measurable, transparent sustainability efforts – such as achieving Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification — rises. Achieving these goals requires holistic strategies, and the enterprise network is emerging as a critical enabler for sustainable initiatives.
Operational efficiency – the foundation for sustainable networks
An enterprise’s sustainability profile is deeply tied to the efficiency of its network. Areas like energy usage, water management, waste management, and procurement all intersect with network operations. As the network is involved in every part of an organisation, it offers unique opportunities to drive sustainability. For example, there’s been a movement towards an increased use of smarter monitoring, while automation is making networks a central pillar in sustainability strategies for 2025 and beyond.
Enterprise networks are complex, often containing technologies such as wired Ethernet, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth, Zigbee, private 5G, and Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) to drive connected people and services. Each of these plays a specific role, and their combinations vary by industry. However, the underlying principle remains- smarter networks can significantly enhance sustainability across different environments.
The hospitality industry – a case for network-driven sustainability
The hospitality sector exemplifies how intelligent networks can deliver sustainability gains. Hotels have always looked for ways to promote their sustainability efforts, knowing that they work well in attracting customers and are able to influence their decisions. For instance, hoteliers have long encouraged guests to reuse towels to save water and reduce chemical use. Yet, the hotels of today are doing much more by integrating technology into their sustainability strategies.
Most modern hotels are leveraging digital tools like mobile check-ins, digital keys, and digital signage to reduce paper waste. Beyond these measures, there are now more advanced, system-level solutions that allow network management systems to power down devices, such as HVAC and Wi-Fi in unoccupied rooms, saving energy. Networks can also dynamically rebalance Wi-Fi coverage to match demand, ensuring resources are allocated only where needed. A classic example is where large resorts use a variety of techniques such as putting APs into a low-power standby state, automatically reducing RF output when fewer clients are in range, or even disabling Wi-Fi radios entirely during known idle times (e.g., 12 am – 6 am in unused ballrooms).
AI – as the next step up
AI has been integrated into the entire lifecycle of converged networks – including W-Fi, switching, IoT and more – by driving efficiency from planning and configuration to daily management, troubleshooting, and continuous optimisation. By transforming how wireless networks are monitored and managed, AI is driving a new level of operational efficiency across industries. Tasks that once required manual intervention, such as adjusting services based on occupancy, can now be automated. With the ability to learn and predict usage patterns, AI enables staff to proactively manage network performance, enhance the customer experience and adapt dynamically to evolving demands.
AI also brings granular control to a wide range of connected technologies, including Bluetooth, Zigbee, and private 5G. The sheer complexity of these layered systems makes manual management virtually impossible, even for large, highly-skilled IT teams. The benefits of these capabilities are immediately clear in any industry. Organisations in almost every sector are facing sustainability challenges, while all are facing a persistent shortage of skilled IT teams.
Looking at the hospitality vertical, AI-managed networks support a range of sensors and controls, ensuring that resources like power and water are used only when needed for specific purposes. Rather than replacing skilled IT professionals, AI network management complements existing processes, helping stretch limited IT budgets further. By leveraging AI’s ability to learn and automate, enterprises can help less-experienced staff to perform tasks that would normally require advanced expertise. This is achieved through predictions and recommendations delivered through natural language models. Such straightforward communication builds trust within the human chain of command, whereas unclear or opaque instructions can lead to recommendations being ignored.
Key AI-driven sustainability applications
There are a number of key applications in which AI can have a significant impact. Energy management, for example. AI can idle unused assets in vacant rooms and adjust power to Wi-Fi access points based on real-time occupancy. For example, it can adapt to changing conditions in conference spaces, optimising energy use as room configurations change. AI can also simulate and test network configurations, implementing the most efficient models to further reduce carbon impact.
Water conservation is another key area. Hotels are significant consumers of water. An intelligent network can power IoT devices to monitor water usage, identify efficiencies, and alert users to unusual patterns. Leak detection sensors in plumbing can quickly spot leaks – major sources of water waste and property damage that may lead to costly guest area closures. With just one early detection, these sensors can pay for themselves. As water scarcity concerns rise in 2025 – with 2.7 billion finding water scarce for at least one month of the year – IoT solutions will become increasingly vital for optimising water distribution networks.
Finally, there’s waste management. AI-enabled waste and recycling bins notify staff when they are full and analyse refuse patterns, including kitchen waste, to minimise food waste. Automated sorting of recyclables is another emerging application, further streamlining sustainability efforts.
Broadly speaking, AI is rapidly emerging as a cornerstone in the hospitality industry’s journey toward carbon neutrality, enabling hotels and resorts to transform sustainability from aspiration to action. By intelligently orchestrating energy, water, and waste systems through real-time IoT data, AI helps properties reduce their carbon footprint without compromising guest experience. From predictive HVAC and lighting adjustments based on occupancy patterns to optimising food and water usage and automating ESG reporting, AI empowers hospitality leaders to make smarter, faster, and greener decisions. As the industry faces rising stakeholder expectations and climate accountability, AI offers not just operational efficiency but a scalable path to measurable environmental impact.
The broader enterprise perspective
While the hospitality industry offers a detailed example, AI-driven smart networks are transforming sustainability efforts across sectors – from schools and hospitals to airports and corporate campuses. In any setting, AI now offers powerful insights across every aspect of operations, from procurement and resource management to daily workflows. At every stage, AI-powered networks can uncover, optimise, and measure critical sustainability drivers tailored to each unique context.
Looking ahead, sustainability will remain a top priority. AI-powered networks and their connected applications will be essential to achieve these efforts, delivering both improved environmental outcomes and enhanced user experiences that support business success.
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