Chapter 8: Harnessing Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Sustainable Innovation: Case Studies and Practical Applications

This chapter analyses how artificial intelligence (AI) can enable sustainable development in different fields, such as renewable energy, agriculture and cities.

This study adopts a multi-methods approach. First, a systematic literature review (SLR) was employed, and information was gathered and compiled from 57 seminal studies. Second, the authors conducted eight in-depth interviews to identify challenges and barriers to harnessing AI for sustainable innovation.

Based on the review, this paper examines several aspects where AI has significantly impacted sustainability. AI has also become instrumental in optimising renewable energy sources and has supported climate change modelling, AI-enabled intelligent grids and pollution control/waste management, which are fruitful application areas of AI technology for sustainable innovation. In precision farming, where AI is applied, there has been an improvement in productivity and the utilisation of agricultural resources. At the same time, in urban development, AI has helped make smart cities with better infrastructure and transport patterns. However, several barriers remain paramount, including data quality, computations, system interface, ethical and legal issues, and compliance, which arose from the thematic analysis.

This study would be helpful for scholars, governmental and non-governmental bodies, and corporate stakeholders regarding how AI can be optimally implemented across various sustainable development projects.

This chapter integrates the findings of a systematic review of the present state of AI in the context of sustainability with qualitative insights.