Artificial intelligence (AI) is the most ability of machines or systems to perform any tasks that normally require human intelligence, such as reasoning, learning, decision making, and problem solving. Recently, this topic already discusses in many platforms that reach to many attentions in sustainability agenda. AI has many applications in sustainability and the major highlights in United Nation Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which is the improving mechanism in data science. Sustainability and AI connectivity are expected to have a positive and promising future outlook, as both fields are growing and transforming rapidly in response to the global challenges and opportunities for our near-future.

In addition, AI for sustainability could accelerate many benefits or impactful sustainability elements, such as helping to monitor and analyze environmental data, improve health and well-being, enhance education and learning, promote economic growth and innovation, and advance social justice and further encourage partnerships among stakeholders. Thus, our data management could transform with infinite possibilities of analytical communications.

AI can be a tool of application for climate change monitoring, biodiversity, pollution, and natural disasters, and provide insights and solutions for mitigation and adaptation. For example, AI can help predict and prevent forest fires, optimizing renewable energy sources and detect illegal wildlife trade and many other social and economic limitation.

Since Planetary Health is the current impact in our community and society, thus allow few options of sustainable-related field in health and well-being, such as diagnosing diseases, developing vaccines, enhancing telemedicine, and supporting mental health. For example, AI can help speed up the development of mRNA vaccines, such as the ones used for COVID-19.

For the past few weeks ago, digital transformation and data science are the major highlights in our mainstream media, particularly regarding the announcement of Faculty of AI for national agenda which will lead by Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). This is a mandate by Madani government to provide future business of new economic growth and transformation of job creation. Published by recent data showing that sustainability-related job career will be the most demanding by several sectors, not only manufacturing and industries. Sustainability and AI careers are among the fastest-growing and the most resilient in the global economy, as the national aspiration for green job intentions. They are driven by the increasing demand for renewable energy (in the commitment of net zero carbon), green deals, circular economy, and innovation in various sectors and industries. AI developers, data scientists, and machine learning engineers, who are responsible for creating, testing, and deploying AI applications and systems, as well as analysing and processing large amounts of data and information will affect the chain reaction of massive literacy in digital transformation.

AI can help enhance education and learning, such as personalizing the current curriculum, facilitating online learning, and increasing access and inclusion. Higher education already offers the mode of distance learning and MOOC and micro-credentials for the future needs. This associated environment would accelerate the AI in various fields of science and research works. Being proficient in using digital tools and platforms, such as cloud computing, data analytics, and online learning, are necessary for future sustainability-related jobs. For example, AI can help create adaptive learning platforms that tailor the content and pace to the needs and preferences of each student. Further, AI can help promote economic growth and innovation, such as creating new jobs, enhancing productivity, and fostering entrepreneurship. For example, AI can help automate and optimizing various processes and tasks, such as manufacturing, agriculture, and transport.

AI can help advance social justice and human rights, such as reducing inequalities, combating discrimination, and empowering marginalized groups, but not to replace human decision. In a tangible context, AI can help analyze and address human rights issues, such as gender-based violence, inequality in organizations, and forced migration. Human workers (as an example) have the emotional and social intelligence to communicate and collaborate with diverse stakeholders and partners, such as governments, businesses, communities, and NGOs, in sustainability initiatives and projects. AI, while able to process and analyze large amounts of information and data, may not have the same skills and abilities to empathies, persuade, negotiate, and build trust and relationshipsAI can pose risks to human dignity, values, and rights, such as privacy, autonomy, accountability, and fairness. This consequences need to be addressed, especially via ethical principles. AI can also be used for malicious purposes, such as cyberattacks, misinformation, and surveillance. Therefore, it is important to ensure that AI is developed and used in a way that is trusted, transparent, and inclusive, and that respects ethical principles and human rights.

AI ethicists, legal experts, and social scientists, who are the responsible stakeholders for studying and addressing the ethical, legal, and social implications of AI, as well as ensuring that AI is used in a way that is trusted, transparent, and inclusive, and that respects human dignity and values

Human intervention have the adaptability and resilience to cope with the uncertainties and complexities of sustainability issues, such as the interdependencies, trade-offs, and feedback loops among various factors and variables. AI, while able to handle and optimizing complex tasks and systems, may not have the same flexibility and robustness to deal with unexpected or novel situations and scenarios, which the most important aspects of sustainability decision makers. However, the specific skills and requirements in relation of green and sustainability scopes may vary depending on the type and level of the job, as well as the sector and industry. Therefore, it is important to keep learning and updating our current skills and knowledge to stay relevant and competitive in the sustainability and AI fields.

These are some of the predictive of how AI can help in achieving our dreams in sustainability and the SDGs. However, AI also poses some challenges and risks, majorly involving ethical, legal, and social implications, that need to be addressed and regulated. Therefore, it is important to ensure that AI is developed and used in a universal understanding of ethical principles without compromising the value created for global targets.

By Professor Ir. Ts. Dr. Mohd Fadhil Md. Din, Director of UTM Campus Sustainability.