Research on the impact of artificial intelligence on the pollution governance mechanism and pathways in border regions

Boundary pollution poses obstacles to environmental governance and industrial upgrading, while traditional monitoring methods fail to provide a fundamental solution. Drawing on data from boundary prefecture-level cities between 2016 and 2022, this paper delves into the governance effect of artificial intelligence (AI) on boundary pollution. The research reveals that AI significantly improves the situation of boundary pollution, breaking down market segmentation, enhancing supervision, and addressing negative externalities through positive spillover effects. Furthermore, the development of AI suppresses pollution in adjacent regions through economic ties, mitigating the negative impact of competition among local governments. This suppressive effect is particularly pronounced in regions with low levels of regional collaboration and contiguous poverty-stricken regions. Consequently, the government should attach great importance to the role of artificial intelligence in boundary pollution control, strengthen cooperation with the market, foster regional economic ties, and promote green and high-quality economic development in boundary regions, ultimately achieving sustainable development goals.