Sustainable Development in the Era of Artificial Intelligence

Abstract

In 2015, the United Nations set forth an ambitious global agenda with the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—a framework of 17 interconnected goals aimed at ending poverty, protecting the planet, and ensuring prosperity for all by 2030. These goals present a vision for a future where social, economic and environmental sustainability are in harmony, serving as a universal call to action for governments, institutions, businesses, and individuals. However, as the world moves towards 2030, achieving the SDGs has proven to be an immense challenge. Persistent inequalities, environmental degradation, and global crises such as climate change continue to threaten progress. In this context, the role of emerging technologies, especially artificial intelligence (AI), has gained attention as a potential driver of innovative solutions to some of the world’s most pressing issues. This book, “Sustainable Development in the Era of Artificial Intelligence”, seeks to explore the intersection between the SDGs and AI. While artificial intelligence is often discussed in terms of its potential to revolutionize industries, this book focuses primarily on its capacity to support sustainable development goals across a broad spectrum of sectors. From combating poverty and hunger to advancing education and promoting responsible consumption, AI offers novel approaches to addressing the complexity of today’s challenges. Each chapter in this book delves into a specific SDG, examining how AI tools and systems can contribute to its fulfilment. At its core, this book is an invitation to consider how AI can be harnessed responsibly and inclusively to accelerate progress towards the SDGs. It encourages readers to think critically about the synergies between technology and sustainable development, while emphasizing the need for a human-centered approach that places the well-being of people and the planet at the forefront of innovation.