The dawn of the AI era brings hope not only in terms of efficiency, but also in innovation and resource utilization to help with progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Since the civilization begun, human progress has often come at a significant cost of resource depletion, environmental degradation, social inequality, and numerous national and international conflicts. In response to these pressing challenges, the UN has championed the concept of ‘sustainable development’ that aims to achieve human progress by striking a balanced approach considering economic growth, environmental protection, and social equity.
The 2030 deadline for achieving the UN SDGs is rapidly approaching, bringing an urgent need for innovative and audacious ideas to ensure a sustainable future for all. The United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals Report-2024 reveals that: “Only 17% of the SDGs are currently on track, with nearly half of the targets showing minimal or moderate progress, and over one-third stalled or regressing.” As we race against the clock, it is clear that the status quo will not suffice. In a world grappling with environmental degradation, resource depletion, and social inequity, the quest for sustainable solutions that address multiple SDGs has never been more urgent. In this technological era, one of the most promising tools in this endeavor is Artificial Intelligence (AI) – a technology that has the potential to revolutionize our approach to sustainability. By harnessing AI, we can drive innovation, optimize resource use, and make more informed decisions that support a sustainable future for all.
AI as a magic wand
Nowadays, AI is a transformative technology with the potential to revolutionize various aspects of our lives. From writing detailed reports and analyzing vast amounts of data, to generating creative images, diagnosing diseases, personalizing learning experiences, optimizing supply chains, and automating customer service interactions, AI is reshaping the way we approach many of our tasks.
The underlying power of AI lies in its diverse range of technologies, including machine learning, natural language processing, neural networking, deep learning, and computer vision. These technologies enable machines to analyze vast amounts of data at supersonic speeds, learn from that data, and perform tasks that typically require human intelligence. AI expert systems, for instance, simulate human decision-making by utilizing knowledge bases and rules to tackle challenges in areas like medical diagnosis, financial planning, and technical troubleshooting.
Moreover, AI-enabled robots extend their functionality beyond basic operations to undertake tasks that involve a level of independent or autonomous action. These capabilities not only enhance our daily lives but also have significant implications for sustainability efforts worldwide.
AI for a sustainable future
Achieving ambitious sustainability targets requires a concerted effort from governments, businesses, civil society, and individuals. A study published in Nature Communications in 2020 categorizes the 17 SDGs into three pillars of sustainable development: Environment, Social Inclusion, and Economic Growth. By organizing the SDGs in this manner, the study underscores the interconnectedness of these domains and their collective role in fostering a more equitable and resilient world. Further, it is evident from various studies that AI could play a major role globally in promoting not only economic growth but also environmental sustainability and social good. As AI advances from predictive to generative capabilities, its potential to address and solve issues outlined by the SDGs expands significantly. Predictive AI, which analyzes historical data to forecast future outcomes, has already contributed to areas like healthcare, agriculture, and climate science. However, generative AI takes this one step further by creating new content, models, and solutions that can directly tackle these global challenges. Hence, integrating AI into the pursuit of the SDGs can enhance the interconnected efforts across the social, economic, and environmental pillars, driving sustainability progress.
AI for environmental sustainability
Environmental sustainability prioritizes protecting our natural resources, combating climate change, and preserving biodiversity. AI enables real-time monitoring and mitigation efforts through sophisticated data analysis using satellite imagery and sensor data. Machine learning algorithms predict climate patterns and optimize energy consumption in industry and the built environment, thereby reducing carbon footprint.
Real-time AI tools such as IBM’s Watsonx.ai for Climate, are designed to convert satellite data into high-resolution maps of floods, fires, and other landscape changes to reveal our planet’s past and hint at its future. Furthermore, Google’s DeepMind, which optimizes energy usage in data centers, exemplifies the practical applications of AI in advancing environmental sustainability.
AI supports biodiversity conservation by monitoring ecosystems and wildlife habitats. Autonomous systems equipped with AI algorithms detect illegal poaching activities and track endangered species, promoting conservation efforts, while predictive models analyze environmental data to anticipate habitat changes andguide effective conservation strategies.
Recently, researchers from the International Bird Conservation Partnership (IBCP) have developed an AI-based machine learning tool to help prevent illegal wildlife trade (especially look-alike species) by harnessing recordings of vocalizations, with their unique bioacoustic signatures, to identify species from their sounds alone. Another study from the University of Southern California (USC) has pioneered a groundbreaking method that employs AI to decode the behavior of wildfire spread with exceptional accuracy. As global warming continues to exacerbate wildfire conditions, such technology becomes increasingly vital in safeguarding lives, property, and the environment.
Global challenges and AI considerations
While AI offers immense potential for advancing a sustainable future, it also presents significant challenges that need to be addressed, in particular the energy consumption associated with training and deploying AI models. For instance, the World Economic Forum reported in July 2024 that training GPT-4 resulted in 751 metric tons of CO2 emissions and consumed 65,000 megawatt hours (MWh) of energy, primarily due to data center expansions. This energy consumption is equivalent to the average energy use of a U.S. home over approximately 4,000 years. To address this, researchers are developing more energy-efficient algorithms and exploring the use of renewable energy sources for AI infrastructure.
Inclusive collaboration among governments, businesses, academia, and civil society is also essential to establish robust frameworks that guide the responsible use of AI for sustainability. Recently, in a significant step forward, the European Union (EU) has introduced the world’s first landmark AI law, which officially came into force on 1 August 2024. This legislation, initially proposed four years ago, marks a pivotal moment in the governance of AI. The legislation sets out a comprehensive framework to regulate the development, deployment, and application of AI across various sectors, aiming to mitigate potential negative impacts and ensure that AI technologies are used responsibly and ethically.
As AI continues to evolve, it is essential to deploy it responsibly and establish ethical guidelines to fully harness its potential. The enactment of the EU AI Act is expected to set a global precedent, influencing AI regulations and policies worldwide. It reflects a growing recognition of the need for comprehensive governance frameworks to address the complex ethical, social, and environmental challenges posed by AI technologies. Through such concerted efforts, we can build a resilient and equitable future for generations to come, where AI serves as a powerful tool for sustainable development.