By Nicole Phinopoulou
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the technology that enables computers and machines to simulate human learning, comprehension, problem solving, decision making, creativity and autonomy. It is also seen as a new technology set that can help advance the sustainable development goals (SDGs).
The SDGs’ agenda in recent years has been evolving alongside a European “Trustworthy AI” agenda with a growing momentum in geopolitics. Thus, the EU’s Green Deal launched in 2019 recognised the transformative power of AI to contribute to the accomplishment of a green transition.
AI can help accelerate this transition through a more efficient use of scarce resources, prediction and management of environmental impacts, optimisation of production processes, and policy foresight.
At the same time, the Green Deal stresses that “sustainability” must be a core point of departure for the development of not only AI technologies, but a digitalised society in general.
AI gained attention at the World Economic Forum in 2023 and acknowledged as an accelerator for sustainability — but it is not a silver bullet.
It is appreciated in research-based evidence that by addressing challenges in energy, health, agriculture and urban planning, AI capabilities provide the necessary tools to governments, businesses and organisations to design evidence-based strategies, optimise resources, and scale solutions across sectors.
While the potential of AI to drive sustainable development is vast, it should not be missed that it comes with its own challenges, especially AI’s ability to analyse vast amounts of data, identify complex patterns, and generate actionable insights.
Ensuring that AI applications are ethical and inclusive is critical. It has to be appreciated that any AI solution must prioritise fairness and transparency, particularly when addressing global issues like poverty, hunger, and climate justice, where inequalities are often pronounced.
Need for collaboration
The deployment of AI for sustainable development cannot happen in silos. Governments, businesses, research institutions and civil society must collaborate to align AI development with the SDGs. Public-private partnerships can accelerate innovation, while policies and regulations ensure that AI is developed responsibly.
The EU is already leading this effort with its proposed AI Act, which emphasises trust, safety and transparency. By setting ethical and legal frameworks, the EU seeks to harness AI’s potential while mitigating risks such as bias, energy overconsumption and misuse of the technology.
At the same time, international cooperation is needed to ensure that AI technologies are accessible to all, particularly in developing countries where the SDGs are most critical. Investment in AI education, infrastructure and capacity-building will ensure that no region is left behind in the AI revolution.
Take, for instance, the battle against climate change (SDG 13).
AI-powered tools can process massive datasets to improve climate modeling and predict environmental changes with higher accuracy. Such insights can be crucial for policymakers and scientists’ strategies and actions to combat rising sea levels, deforestation and extreme weather events.
In the healthcare sector (SDG 3), AI is already revolutionising the way health professionals approach disease detection and treatment.
By accurately identifying early warning signs of infectious diseases and by personalising medical care, AI solutions can bridge critical gaps in global health systems. In underserved regions, AI already facilitates the delivery of vital medical services, improving health outcomes and life expectancy.
When it comes to sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11), AI is driving innovation in urban planning.
By leveraging real-time data on traffic, pollution and energy consumption, AI can help cities optimise infrastructure, reduce carbon emissions and enhance the quality of urban life.
In agriculture (SDG 2), AI models analyse weather patterns and soil conditions. Providing farmers with information on the most efficient use of water, fertilisers and pesticides, ensures food security and protects the environment.
One significant concern is its environmental footprint. AI systems and the data centres that power them require substantial amounts of energy. Training a single AI model, for instance, can consume as much energy as an entire household does in a year.
“Environmentally sound technologies”
The sustainable development agenda is based on the intention and principles laid down at the Human Environment Conference in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1972. This was the first conference to recognise the human impact on the “environment” and the urgency for global political attention and coordination.
As a result, the idea of “environmentally sound technologies” was developed with an emphasis on the reduction of environmental pollution and sustainable resource use “by design”.
Governments, businesses and society must act together to ensure AI serves as a force for good, enabling a future where technology and sustainability coexist harmoniously.
AI raises a critical question: can the sustainability benefits outweigh AI benefits?
The answer lies in how AI’s implementation is optimized and developed responsibly. For example, advances in energy-efficient algorithms, greener data centres and the integration of AI systems with the renewable energy sources are essential steps toward ensuring the net-positive impact of AI on sustainability.
The impact of AI solutions on the environmental footprint must be considered and its benefits must be shared equitably. The clock is ticking towards 2030, and the challenges before us are immense. But with AI as a partner, achieving a sustainable, equitable and prosperous future is within our reach.
Nicole K. Phinopoulou is a lawyer (LL. B (Hons), LL.M(UCL), LPC, CISL, University of Cambridge) specialising in banking and financial services, an expert in ESG & Sustainable Finance, Regulatory Compliance.
