The number of eyes scouring sustainability reports is growing by the day, but now, more than just investors and consumers are reading them. Algorithms, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning technology are playing an increasing role in evaluating environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance.
As you develop your sustainability report, not only must you cater the design and contents to human stakeholders, but you must also be cognizant of the digital tools that will analyze them. This can be a tricky balance in what is already a challenging task, but whenever you develop a marketing asset, you must keep your audience in mind – and in today’s environment, that includes AI. Here are some tips for creating a sustainability report that resonates with both algorithms and humans.
Streamline Navigation
AI loves consistency and structure. Turns out, humans do, too. Ensure your report design is easy to navigate and visually uncluttered. Label your data, use standardized formats and be consistent with metrics and reporting formats to prevent confusion or misinterpretation by algorithms.
Design for Visual Impact Without Sacrificing Clarity
Humans are drawn to visuals, while AI tools focus on text and metadata. Balance the two by designing a report that’s visually engaging but also machine-readable. This means:
- Include text-based descriptions or tags for every graphic, chart or photo you use in the report so algorithms can interpret their content.
- Provide your report as a searchable document rather than scanned images so that it is accessible to AI.
- Clearly label charts and tables; use captions to explain their significance to human readers.
Edit, Edit and Edit Some More
Your corporate sustainability report is your chance to build trust with your readers and showcase your ESG efforts. It can be a powerful marketing tool when done well, which means there is no room for error. Edit content for accuracy and omissions, review for brand consistency, and take care that visuals are professional and polished.
When editing, also keep in mind that one of the key differences between AI and human readers is that AI is a slave to data and objectivity. It does not have a human bias, and this means your report must be supremely accurate. As noted in a recent Eunoic report “Whereas individuals often make mistakes or come to very different conclusions based on the same information because of their biases, backgrounds and attention spans, algorithms are objective, data-driven and don’t get tired.” Be ruthless in your editing to ensure the message and data you portray are accurate.
Why Dual Readability Matters
By designing your ESG report for both AI and human readability, you maximize the reach and impact of your sustainability report. Algorithms ensure your performance is visible to key decision-makers, while humans connect with the story behind the data. If you need help elevating your sustainability report design, contact us at The Found Gen today. We’ve partnered with globally ranked corporations to transform their sustainability reports into effective marketing tools. Call us today to learn how we can help you with yours.