Digital technologies and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are playing a crucial role in advancing sustainability by improving efficiency, reducing resource waste, and enabling data-driven decision-making. Digital technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing, big data analytics, and blockchain help monitor energy use, manage supply chains, and track environmental impacts in real time. AI enhances sustainability efforts by analysing large datasets to predict climate patterns, optimize energy consumption, improve waste management, and support smart agriculture. For example, AI-powered systems can forecast energy demand, optimize renewable energy integration, reduce emissions, and increase crop yields while minimizing water and fertilizer use. Together, digital technologies and AI support sustainable development by enabling cleaner production, smart cities, circular economy models, and responsible resource management. However, sustainability also requires addressing challenges such as high energy consumption of data centers, digital waste, and ethical use of AI. When applied responsibly, digital technologies and AI act as powerful enablers of economic growth, environmental protection, and social well-being, contributing significantly to long-term sustainable development.
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Digital Technologies, AI and Sustainability
Semantic Scholar · 2026
Abstract
Digital technologies and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are playing a crucial role in advancing sustainability by improving efficiency, reducing resource waste, and enabling data-driven decision-making. Digital technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing, big data analytics, and blockchain help monitor energy use, manage supply chains, and track environmental impacts in real time. AI enhances sustainability efforts by analysing large datasets to predict climate patterns, optimize energy consumption, improve waste management, and support smart agriculture. For example, AI-powered systems can forecast energy demand, optimize renewable energy integration, reduce emissions, and increase crop yields while minimizing water and fertilizer use. Together, digital technologies and AI support sustainable development by enabling cleaner production, smart cities, circular economy models, and responsible resource management. However, sustainability also requires addressing challenges such as high energy consumption of data centers, digital waste, and ethical use of AI. When applied responsibly, digital technologies and AI act as powerful enablers of economic growth, environmental protection, and social well-being, contributing significantly to long-term sustainable development.