A Systematic Review Integrating the Perspectives of Artificial Intelligence for Sustainability and Sustainability of Artificial Intelligence

Öz

While artificial intelligence technologies offer significant opportunities for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), they also present ethical, environmental, and economic challenges. This study provides a comprehensive systematic literature review that maps the dimensions of “AI for Sustainability” and “Sustainability of AI” within an integrated theoretical framework. Using the PRISMA methodology, 167 records were compiled from Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar; after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 81 articles were analysed in depth. Studies focused primarily on engineering and technical computation were excluded to ensure alignment with the study’s social sciences and sustainability management orientation. Findings in the “AI for Sustainability” dimension reveal that AI makes significant contributions to SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure). However, empirical research on SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 13 (Climate Action) remains insufficient, with social and environmental SDGs systematically underrepresented. In the “Sustainability of AI” dimension, the literature predominantly focuses on the ecological sub-theme (energy consumption and carbon emissions), while the organisational, social, and economic dimensions remain comparatively neglected. Notable findings include the context-dependent nature of energy-efficiency strategies and evidence that current AI infrastructure creates an unsustainable carbon lock-in. This study offers a thematic and normative mapping that addresses the limitations of prior reviews in integrating both dimensions. The findings point to three priorities: advancing empirical research on social sustainability, integrating a lifecycle perspective into ecological analyses, and examining the adaptability of governance models across diverse regional contexts.
 

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Artificial Intelligence
• Sustainability
• Sustainable AI
• Sustainable Development Goals

Kaynakça

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