ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND THE FUTURE OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: PATHWAYS, RISKS AND RESILIENCE
Keywords:
Artificial Intelligence; Sustainable Development; Resilience; Risk Assessment; Sustainable Development Goals,,Abstract
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly recognized as a transformative force
in advancing sustainable development, yet empirical evidence on its real-world
impacts remains limited. This study examines AI-enabled pathways to sustainable
development, associated risks and resilience outcomes using primary data from
selected development sectors. Employing a mixed-method research design, the study
analyzes how AI adoption influences economic efficiency, social inclusion and
environmental management. The findings indicate that AI enhances resource
optimization, decision-making efficiency, service delivery and environmental
monitoring, thereby supporting multiple Sustainable Development Goals. However,
the study also identifies significant technological, socio-economic and ethical risks,
including data bias, system failures, job displacement and privacy concerns, which
shape stakeholder perceptions and outcomes. Importantly, the results demonstrate
that AI contributes to institutional, community and environmental resilience when
supported by appropriate governance and human capacity. By grounding the analysis
in primary data, the study provides context-sensitive insights into the conditions under
which AI can effectively support sustainable and resilient development.
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