Abstract Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative force in addressing global Artificial Intelligence has increasingly emerged as a foundational technology supporting sustainable development by enabling intelligent analysis, automation, and informed decision-making across complex systems. Unlike traditional computational tools, AI systems can process massive, heterogeneous datasets and continuously learn from new inputs, making them particularly suitable for addressing long-term social, economic, and environmental challenges. Sustainable development demands integrated solutions that consider interdependencies between poverty, health, education, energy, and ecosystems, and AI provides the computational capability to manage this complexity. AI plays a crucial role in monitoring development indicators by analyzing satellite imagery, sensor networks, and administrative data. These tools help governments and international organizations track progress, identify emerging risks, and allocate resources more efficiently. For example, AI-based image recognition supports land-use monitoring, infrastructure planning, and environmental protection, while natural language processing assists in analyzing policy documents and citizen feedback. Such applications enhance evidence-based governance and improve transparency. Beyond monitoring, AI supports predictive and prescriptive analytics. Machine learning models can forecast climate patterns, food demand, disease outbreaks, and economic trends, allowing policymakers to shift from reactive to proactive strategies. Generative AI further strengthens this role by enabling scenario modeling, helping decision-makers evaluate the long-term impacts of policy choices under different assumptions. These capabilities are essential for designing resilient development pathways in an uncertain global environment. However, while AI offers strong enabling potential, many current applications remain limited in scope, focusing on efficiency gains rather than systemic transformation. Scholars emphasize the need to move beyond descriptive analytics toward AI systems that actively support sustainable innovation and inclusive growth. To achieve this, governance mechanisms, ethical safeguards, and capacity-building initiatives must evolve alongside technological advancements. When responsibly deployed, AI can function as a powerful catalyst for balanced and inclusive sustainable development.
Anarase et al. (Sat,) studied this question.