DOI: 10.12688/openreseurope.20407.2 ISSN: 2732-5121

Exploring the Role of AI in Achieving the SDGs: A Systematic Review of Academic Studies on AI in the Industry Sector

Lalita Phatthanachaisuksiri, Meng Cai, Hiba Karam, Vijay Palliyil, Niklas Suhre, Eva Kaßens-Noor
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Industries are progressively adopting artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance efficiency, competitiveness, and sustainability. However, AI also poses negative social and environmental impacts. This dual characteristic of AI is acknowledged by organizations such as McKinsey & Company, UNEP, and AI for Good, which highlight its promise in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) while also reminding us of its potential detriments. Nevertheless, the extent of its adverse effects remains relatively underexplored. This study aims to address this gap by examining the positive and negative effects of AI implementation in the industrial sector on the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) analyzing how academic literature portrays AI as a novel business tool capable of both facilitating and hindering the SDGs’ achievement. We conducted a systematic review of 285 articles discussing AI implementation by the industry sector, employing the PRISMA method. Our findings reveal that AI deployment in the industry sector demonstrates strong potential to promote SDG progress, particularly in areas related to industry and economic development. However, it also presents notable negative implications, especially in relation to gender equality (SDG 5) and reduced inequalities (SDG 10). Additionally, the results highlight a significant concentration of AI deployment, impacting specific SDGs—favoring economic and industrial goals—while environmental, social, and equity-related goals receive considerably less attention. Overall, literature affirms AI’s promise in advancing sustainable development yet cautions that its deployment currently leans toward economic gains often at the expense of broader sustainability and inclusive objectives.

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