The role of artificial intelligence in environmental sustainability

School of Applied Arts and Sustainable Design, Hellenic Open University, 26335, Patra, Greece

^* Corresponding author: gareiou@latpee.eap.gr

Abstract

The climate change is the most important challenge of the 21st-century, worldwide. Artificial Intelligence (AI) can play a key role in achieving environmental sustainability. The aim of the study is to investigate the advantages and disadvantages of using AI applications in main domains of environmental sustainability such as urban design, agriculture and climate change, as well as the differences arising from comparing the application of ΑΙ in relation to conventional methods in the above fields. AI has utilized in optimizing construction sector and enforcing sustainable urban mobility. Furthermore, AI improving management of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) and Municipal Liquid Waste. Additionally, AI applications utilize in reducing air pollution and empowering management of Green and Blue Infrastructures. In agriculture, the integration of AI has enforced the agriculture production by monitoring soil, water, plants, pesticide use and crops and forecasting weather condition. Finally, AI has demonstrated promise in addressing the consequences of climate change by forecasting weather condition, reducing carbon emissions and managing of renewable energy. However, significant social and economic disadvantages have been identified in implementation of AI, such as ethics, privacy concerns and high investment costs. Appropriate policies are needed to improve our quality of life and eliminating bad consequences of using AI.