AI Applications for Sustainable Development Goals

Abstract

The emergence of artificial intelligence and the pursuit of sustainable development are two major forces shaping our world, The need to reorient the existing socioeconomic systems towards sustainability has never been more prescient. The United Nation identified ‘Sustainable Development Goals’, more conveniently known as SDGs, in 2015 as a guideline to fashion a new world that is quite equitable, prosperous and environmentally sustainable by the year 2030. AI can be applied to energy systems in enhancing the use of energy resources, in risk assessment and mitigation of natural occurrences, and in creating new clean technologies. Artificial intelligence is influencing many sectors of society and reshaping numerous industries. This chapter will explore specific examples of how AI is being used to address critical challenges related to the SDGs, discuss the potential benefits and limitations, and examine ethical considerations for responsible AI development and deployment in the context of sustainable development.