Generative AI and ESG

Course Overview

This course from Rutgers University takes two hot topics—Generative AI and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance)—and shows how they can work together in real-world business and sustainability contexts. It’s designed for people who may not be experts in either field yet, but want to learn how to use AI tools to make ESG strategies smarter, faster, and more impactful.

Across six self-paced modules (about nine hours total), you’ll get a mix of foundational theory, practical techniques, and hands-on exercises. By the end, you’ll understand both why these topics matter and how to apply them in actual ESG projects.

What You’ll Learn

• The core ESG frameworks—from GRI to SASB to TCFD—and how to spot greenwashing before it slips through a report.
• The basics of Generative AI—what makes it different from traditional AI, how large language models think (well, “think”), and who’s shaping the field.
• Practical ways GenAI can help with ESG work: automating data analysis, improving risk assessments, generating better reports, and even brainstorming sustainable product ideas.
• Advanced AI skills like prompt engineering, Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), and model fine-tuning—all applied in an ESG context.
• Real case practice: pulling sustainability data from reports, checking its accuracy, and evaluating AI’s performance like a pro.