This study aims to critically evaluate the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The research adopts a structured expert elicitation approach, utilising a consensus-based inference process to assess AI’s impact on all 17 SDGs and their associated targets.
The findings reveal that AI positively contributes to 79% of the SDG targets (134 in total), mainly by overcoming development challenges through technology. However, AI also poses risks to 59 targets. Contribution: This study contributes to the emerging body of literature on AI and sustainable development by offering a comprehensive, target-level analysis of AI’s influence on the SDGs. It integrates ethical, social, and regulatory considerations into developing AI technologies to ensure alignment with global sustainability objectives.
Expert judgement’s subjectivity and AI’s evolving nature may limit analysis accuracy, requiring ongoing reassessment to address future uncertainties.
Hussein, M.A. and Sid Ahmed, H.M. (2025): The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. International Journal of Innovation and Knowledge Management in Middle East and North Africa, Vol. 10, No. 1/2, pp. 23-36.
