Mr. Bhanu Raju Nida

AI and Sustainability: A Dual-Edged Sword

Abstract:

Artificial Intelligence (AI) presents both transformative opportunities and significant challenges in advancing global sustainability goals. On the positive front, AI contributes to climate change mitigation through improved forecasting and disaster response, supports resource optimization across sectors such as agriculture and energy, and enhances circular economy practices by enabling smarter waste management and material reuse. Moreover, it facilitates sustainable urban planning and environmental monitoring by processing vast ecological datasets. However, these benefits are counterbalanced by concerns over the high energy demands of AI systems, the environmental toll of electronic waste and material extraction, and ethical issues such as data bias and inequitable outcomes. The lack of comprehensive regulation further amplifies these risks. Moving forward, aligning AI development with sustainability requires a multifaceted approach: leveraging renewable energy, designing energy-efficient algorithms, ensuring transparency and accountability, embedding ethical standards, and enacting robust governance frameworks. Ultimately, AI’s role in sustainability hinges on our collective ability to harness its potential while mitigating its adverse impacts through responsible innovation and policy intervention.