AI for (un)Sustainability

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to critically examine the presumed benefits of AI in the pursuit of sustainable development. In discussions on today’s increasingly urgent global challenges, new technologies – particularly AI – are often hailed as essential solutions. However, there is a significant risk of uncritically embracing AI as a panacea for sustainability without fully considering its disruptive impact across social, ethical, political, and environmental dimensions (Floridi, 2022). In particular, concerns arise regarding the substantial energy consumption of machine learning models and the disposal costs associated with AI-driven devices, such as robots. To address these issues, this paper is structured as follows: it begins with an overview of the current applications of machine learning in sustainability efforts, followed by an analysis of concrete examples where these models contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015, including cases involving AI-powered robots. The discussion then shifts to the critical challenges posed by these technologies, highlighting how AI itself may threaten sustainability. Finally, a potential model for sustainable AI is proposed, leading to the concluding remarks.