Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Sustainable Development (SD): A Systematic Review of Opportunities and Risks across SDGS 8, 10, and 12

Abstract

This study critically examines the relationship between artificial intelligence (AI) and sustainable development (SD) by exploring the extent to which sustainable development initiatives, especially SDGs 8, 10, and 12, remain “sustainable” in the context of the growing emergence of AI technologies. Specifically, the study identifies the various ways in which AI applications can contribute to promoting sustainable development initiatives, while also examining the potential risks through which AI may undermine the achievement of SD objectives. The study adopts a qualitative research approach based on a systematic review of recent scholarly literature on AI and SD. A total of 64 peer-reviewed articles were selected and analyzed for the study after screening and exclusion processes from the initial 136 identified database search. The screening process followed defined inclusion and exclusion criteria, including: i) relevance to AI and SD, ii) publications within the last ten years to ensure currency; iii) publications in peer-reviewed journals and reputable academic sources like WoS articles; and availability of full-text articles in English; thereby excluding sources that were duplicated, non-scholarly, or not directly related to research objectives. To ensure comprehensive coverage of relevant studies, structured keyword-based strategy was used such as, "artificial intelligence", "AI governance", "Digital inequality", "SDGs 8,10, and 12", "sustainable development", etc. Data sources also included relevant information gathered from books and credible Internet materials. The findings reveal that AI has significant potential to support sustainable development through provisions of powerful tools that can promote sustainable development. At the same time, the research equally reveals critical challenges associated with AI that could pose risks to sustainable development, including high energy consumption, environmental impacts of data centers, labor market disruptions caused by automation, digital inequalities between developed and developing countries, and ethical concerns related to algorithmic bias and governance. The study concludes that, the relationship between AI and SD is characterized by both opportunities and risks, only through responsible governance, ethical regulatory frameworks, and the development of environmentally sustainable AI infrastructure can AI truly support SD. Without these safeguards, the rapid growth of AI technologies may undermine the core principles of sustainability. Thus, the paper recommends: governments and technological companies should promote sustainable AI infrastructure; there should be international regulatory frameworks to ensure ethical and responsible deployment of AI technologies; inter alia.