Convergence of Artificial Intelligence and Self-Sustainability: Ethical Considerations and Social Implications

Introduction

The 21st century has seen a convergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and self-sustainability, offering innovative solutions to pressing human challenges. AI's ability to solve complex problems, analyze data, and make autonomous decisions has made it a powerful tool for driving sustainability initiatives based on resource conservation, environmental responsibility, and social equity, crucial in addressing global crises like climate change, resource depletion, and social inequality (Pastor-Escuredo et al., 2022). The integration of AI and self-sustainability holds significant potential for various applications, including energy optimization, environmental prediction, and precision agriculture. However, these advancements also present ethical and societal challenges that require careful examination, highlighting the need for a comprehensive understanding of the complexities involved (Bayley & Phipps, 2019).

The chapter highlights the importance of understanding the ethical dimensions of AI's fusion with sustainability, focusing on environmental ethics, AI-driven sustainability solutions, data privacy, job displacement, and delegation of critical decisions to AI systems. It emphasizes the need for responsible development and ethics in AI and self-sustainability initiatives(Dsouli et al., 2018). This chapter explores the ethical dilemmas and social repercussions of integrating AI and self-sustainability, aiming to guide responsible development and implementation for environmental and human benefit. It focuses on AI's role in climate change mitigation and ecological preservation (Price et al., 2020). The chapter emphasizes the need for equitable access to AI-powered self-sustainability solutions, irrespective of socioeconomic status. It also addresses data privacy, job displacement, and autonomous decision-making in the context of AI's sustainability efforts, aiming to improve human well-being and societal flourishing (Jha et al., 2016).

This chapter offers guidance on the ethical implications of AI's potential for self-sustainability, emphasizing the need for a thoughtful and inclusive approach to protect human values while harnessing AI's potential. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a technology that mimics human cognitive functions like learning, reasoning, problem-solving, and decision-making. It has become a ubiquitous presence in our daily lives, with technologies like machine learning algorithms, deep neural networks, natural language processing, and computer vision (R. I. Hussain et al., 2020). AI's applications span healthcare, finance, transportation, and entertainment, enabling virtual personal assistants, industrial automation, autonomous vehicles, and medical diagnosis. Its potential to enhance efficiency, optimize resource allocation, and accelerate innovation has made it a transformative force in various industries.

The rise of AI has led to a growing awareness of the need for self-sustainability, which aims to meet human needs while minimizing environmental impact and conserving resources for future generations. This includes initiatives aiming to achieve ecological balance, reduce carbon footprints, and ensure social equity (Jha et al., 2016; Price et al., 2020). Self-sustainability initiatives, such as renewable energy, biodiversity conservation, responsible land use, sustainable agriculture, and circular economies, are gaining momentum due to climate change, resource depletion, pollution, and social disparities. Governments, organizations, and individuals are integrating sustainability principles into their operations and lifestyles.