Sustainable development goals (SDGs) continue to be a driving force for policies and investment in developing countries, yet the role of AI in securing the SDGs has yet to be deeply understood. Some goals are likely to be supported while the achievement of others might be threatened by the development, deployment, and proliferation of AI technologies in the global south.
On September 20, 2023 fellows participated in a discussion on the topic of AI and sustainable development. In order to seed the conversation, three program participants presented concrete case studies and research findings that uncovered best practices and helped program participants understand the intersection of AI proliferation and the likelihood of achieving respective SDGs.
Presenters
Summary of the Discussion
The last topical session of the series was focused on the interplay between artificial intelligence and sustainable development, offering valuable insights and reflections on the specific context of tech applications, the AI driven pursuit of the SDGs, and the social as well as economic implications of responsible and sustainable development while developing and deploying new technologies.
According to the presentations given by fellows, the interplay between AI and sustainable development is emerging as a central theme, particularly in regions of the global south. This relationship is especially poignant in the context of the the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), where AI applications offer innovative solutions to longstanding challenges. Nigeria, as well as many other African countries, stands out as a case study in this context. Allegedly, the country is leveraging artificial intelligence in diverse areas, from using drones for agricultural enhancement to AI-driven platforms for more accurate medical prescriptions. Furthermore, the arena of genomics research is benefitting from AI in drug discovery. The country has seen the advent of AI solutions aimed at identifying fraudulent health insurance claims, too. According to one of the fellows, a significant stride in the right direction is the establishment of the National Center for AI and Robotics, showcasing the Nigerian government’s commitment to integrate the deployment of emerging technologies for development purposes.
The region’s commitment to sustainable development through technology is further underlined by Nigeria’s partnership with the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) – a collaboration that is designed to promote startups in niche sectors, including agri-tech, health-tech, and clean-tech. The program not only serves as a magnet for potential businesses, but also provides program participants with mentorship, funding, and other essential resources. It epitomizes the synergy between public and private sectors, all with the overarching aim of advancing the SDGs. However, it is also important to note that the rapid proliferation of AI brings with it certain apprehensions. Concerns have arisen about the technology’s potential impact on economic growth as well as broader issues of gender equality and economic participation. For Nigeria, the solution lies in adopting a more comprehensive developmental approach, moving beyond mere demographic advantages such as a vast population growth or low-cost labor. Here, nonprofits are emerging as torchbearers, especially on fronts like gender inclusion, while the government remains invested in cultivating AI capacity and crafting relevant policies.
Shifting the lens to the broader African continent, the role of AI in sustainable development is equally pronounced. AI, with its data-processing prowess, intersects with the SDGs in myriad ways. This extends from resource optimization to monitoring carbon footprints, environmental impact studies, and policy formulations informed by data-driven insights. For instance, AI has been instrumental in alleviating educational disparities across the continent, offering personalized learning experiences, adaptive curricula, and catering to differently-abled individuals through innovations like text-to-speech technologies.
Beyond education, AI’s potential in sustainable development is evident in projects that focus on geographical mapping or environmental conservation, for example. Another presenter highlighted a “Smart Intelligence Initiative” to monitor forest changes in Kenya and Tanzania. Such AI-driven endeavors not only support carbon market ventures, but also enable more efficient tracking of deforestation and conservation efforts. Moreover, many countries in Africa are witnessing tech-driven solutions ranging from early warning systems for air pollution, models for regenerative farming, to voice-based interfaces aiding the visually impaired. Yet, integrating AI into the fabric of sustainable development isn’t without its obstacles, of course. There are genuine concerns regarding biases, power dynamics, and inequalities in technology adoption. Addressing these concerns will be paramount to ensuring AI’s constructive role in achieving the SDGs.
Tajikistan, on the other hand, offers a distinct perspective from Central Asia. One of the Responsible AI Fellows illuminated the nation’s AI-centric approach towards sustainable economic growth. Despite being categorized as a low-income country, Tajikistan boasts a robust educational system, with a focus on up-skilling efforts. Recognizing this strength, the nation has embarked on a mission to develop its AI capabilities more sophistically. This has manifested in initiatives like the AI Academy, the introduction of specialized AI courses at universities, and even the integration of AI into school curricula. Beyond education, Tajikistan is keen on positioning itself as a global AI contender, with the aspiration being to not just to attract international tech behemoths, but to nurture a sustainable AI ecosystem domestically, moving away from the short-sighted approach of mere AI outsourcing. The initiative “Zip AI” exemplifies such a vision, having made significant strides in credit decision software development using machine learning. Moreover, the importance of holistic AI education was emphasized, blending technical prowess with essential soft skills. With ambitious goals, like having a significant fraction of its GDP driven by AI by 2030, Tajikistan’s journey in this realm will undoubtedly be one to watch.
This summary captures the extensive discussion and insights shared during the meeting held on September 20, 2023, at 11:00am EST while maintaining the anonymity of individual participants as per the Chatham House Rule.