Call for papers: Artificial Intelligence and Sustainability

Research on the relationships between AI and sustainability has mostly emphasized on machine learning models and algorithms on the environmental pillar of sustainability with a particular focus on climate change, transportation and mobility, sustainable agriculture, waste management, biodiversity, energy or pollution management. However, the literature sheds light on contradictory inputs from AI with both positive impacts by, for instance, reducing the effects of climate crisis or predicting climate change and negative consequences as being a source of pollution. Moreover, only few studies focus on the link between AI and societal or economic aspects of sustainability, and the existing results appear equally ambiguous.

Therefore, in a world where AI and sustainability are of prime importance, further research is needed, and researchers are invited to explore and uncover the potential synergies and interactions between AI and sustainability, taking into consideration the triple bottom line and using a multi-scale approach. Emerging questions pertain to the role of firms as transmitters, mediators and/or users of information, governmental programs and policies, intellectual property and open access, demand-side interventions, such as influential consumer collectives, or citizenship and political social awareness. Papers could treat sectors such as (but not limited to) agriculture, education and training, space, finance, biochemistry, energy or health.

Papers proposed could include following topics (not limited to):

• Compatibility and interactions between AI and sustainability
  Are AI and sustainability compatible? What are the links between AI and sustainability (roles and impacts)? Can AI be sustainable? What are the limits of AI in a sustainable environment? What are the most appropriate theoretical frameworks to address AI-sustainability issues?

• Role, functions, and interactions between AI actors in relation to sustainable development
  Who are the AI actors? How are they organized? To what extent does the current AI ecosystem support sustainability? What are AI actors’ main challenges? How do they apprehend sustainability?

• Exploration of the artificial intelligence-sustainability relationship from a multi-scale perspective
  What are the acceptance factors of AI in a sustainable environment? What are the economic and social implications for customers, citizens, companies, governments, or international institutions? What are the implications specifically for small-and medium sized companies and startups? What are the regulatory implications? What are the main challenges for the future?

• Responsible research and innovation in the context of AI and sustainability
  How can AI transform and foster sustainable research and innovation? How can AI promote a sustainable innovation?

Submission deadline is November 30, 2022. For further information on the call for papers and the submission process, please refer to the attached PDF or to the website linked to below.