Artificial Intelligence and the Sustainable Development Goals: Opportunities, Trade-offs, and Governance Challenges

Abstract

The rapid rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its increasing influence on many industries mean that its implications for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) must be considered carefully. Using a consensus-based expert elicitation method, we discover that AI could support the attainment of 134 targets across all 17 SDGs, while potentially hindering 59 targets. But present research agendas neglect key pieces of this link. Unfortunately, the rapid pace of AI research is not matched by enough regulatory understanding and control to ensure that AI-powered technology will be a force for good in sustainable development. Not doing so could leave us with serious holes in transparency, safety, and ethical norms that would defeat the whole purpose AI is there to serve.