The movies The Matrix and Bicentennial Man fascinated viewers in the 1990s, but the concept of artificial intelligence (AI) back then was a fantasy. It was a dream far removed from our everyday lives. Fast-forward to today, however, and that dream has partly become our reality.

AI has quietly, but powerfully, woven itself into the fabric of our everyday lives. It’s not flashy tech anymore; it’s an integral part of our critical systems, reshaping how we live, work and progress. AI is at the heart of everything we do, from how we receive medical care, manage our finances and plan our holidays, to how we shop, commute, travel and manage our social engagements.

Yet, amidst all this innovation, AI’s potential garners less attention in the sphere of climate change, sustainability and environmental stewardship. While the topic is often discussed, AI’s impact on these crucial goals is undervalued.

To understand AI’s role in aiding the planet, let’s explore some segments where AI has already started to play a transformative role.

AI algorithms are used for remote sensing to process vast amounts of data collected from satellites and sensors. These algorithms analyze images and signals to assess critical environmental red flags, such as deforestation, ice melt and poor air quality.

Traditionally, people thought AI would only be effective in climate monitoring if countries worked together and governments made significant policy changes. Recent advancements, however, have proved that AI can make a big difference, even without global coordination or major policy shifts. For instance, AI is used to analyze satellite images and detect deforestation.

Global Forest Watch (GFW), in partnership with Google Earth Engine, monitors forest cover in near real-time and uses AI to generate heat maps to highlight deforestation hotspots. In 2020 alone, GFW detected over 12 million hectares of tree cover loss, prompting fast action. The initiative’s AI tools have identified deforestation with nearly 90% accuracy and helped reduce illegal logging by 22% in critical areas, like the Amazon rainforest.

AI is also emerging as a transformative force in sustainable urban planning. One critical domain where AI is being used is in smart grids for energy management. Companies like Siemens, for example, have implemented AI-driven smart grid solutions that optimize energy distribution and reduce waste in cities such as Berlin and Milan.

Similarly, AI and cloud technologies are advancing the electrical efficiency of buildings. In Singapore, JTC (a statutory board under the country’s Ministry of Trade and Industry) has centralized its operations on the Microsoft Cloud, using AI to monitor and optimize distribution across 39 buildings. This has enabled JTC to identify and address faults before they lead to breakdowns, resulting in a 15% reduction in energy costs.

It’s worth imagining the impact such AI implementations can have if scaled globally. Research suggests that buildings in which we live, work and shop contribute to 40% of global energy consumption and about one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions. This demonstrates that improved energy efficiency in buildings globally can translate into reduced global energy consumption.

In environmental monitoring, AI can become a lighthouse and highlight imminent dangers. For example, to monitor wildlife populations, the Wildlife Conservation Society employs AI-powered camera traps in forests to track animals. Advanced algorithms sift the images captured by the traps to identify and count animals with remarkable precision. In the Serengeti National Park, AI models have accurately detected almost 500,000 individual animals across an area spanning thousands of square kilometres. The data collected provided invaluable insights into animal behaviours and migration patterns.

Marine ecosystems can also benefit from AI technologies. Ocean agencies are harnessing AI to scrutinize underwater images and videos, focusing on coral reef health. AI models are adept at detecting coral bleaching and other stress indicators from visual data.

AI is making an impressive mark in recycling too. A notable example is AMP Robotics, which has revolutionized waste sorting and recycling with AI-powered robots. Robots perform tasks, including sorting, picking and placing material, with up to 95% accuracy.

In the fashion industry, companies such as H&M are leveraging AI to enhance product lifecycle management. The brand is using AI to analyze returns, receipts and loyalty card data to customize products for individual stores. Research shows that, on average, 53% of fabric produced by clothing manufacturers ends up in the finished products we buy; the rest becomes waste. However, using technology, designers can create zero-waste patterns to eliminate fabric waste.

Could AI be the key to feeding a growing global population without depleting natural resources? That is yet unknown, but there is promise. In agriculture, AI is enabling precision farming – a science-based method that optimizes crop productivity and yields. Research shows that precision farming can help farms reduce water and fertilizer usage by 20 % to 40 %. This boosts productivity and lessens the environmental footprint of farming practices.

AI’s potential to solve environmental issues is indisputable and we have barely begun to scratch the surface. Even in advanced areas, AI’s capabilities are only beginning to unfold. The challenges ahead call for a wider application of AI in emerging fields, like sustainable agriculture, water management, industrial sustainability, sustainable urban planning and biodiversity conservation. For AI to become a transformative force, regulatory support may be required at some stage to help companies adopt AI responsibly. Similar to frameworks in the banking sector, such regulations could guide the ethical deployment of AI technologies. This support would encourage businesses to invest more in sustainability initiatives, rather than focus on traditional growth metrics.

The key question however is: can AI’s role be broadened for large-scale environmental stewardship? And, if so, how?

https://www.weforum.org/stories/2025/03/can-ai-foster-sustainability/