Artificial Intelligence: Building Sustainability in the Implementation of SDGs

Gordon Bowen*, Janakan Sothinathan, Richard Bowen, Deidre Bowen, Atul Sethi

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

The sustainable development goals (SDGs) are necessary and recognised to bring benefits, such as sustainability, which could contribute to economic growth, reduce poverty, and reduce inequalities. The implementation of SDGs is generally accepted as coherent and reasonable to many in society. However, the adoption of SDGs by society is hindered by economic situations and societal behaviour towards the implementation of SDGs. The aim of this chapter is to understand how economic circumstances and societal behaviour influence the implementation and sustainability of SDGs. However, a supplementary hypothesis is that artificial intelligence (AI) can be ethical and be a driver to change societal behaviour to build trust and ethical behaviour in making SDGs an accepted part of society and business. Changing the fashion industry context and, thus, behaviour requires embracing innovation and sustainability and moving from a fast fashion industry to a slow fashion industry. SDGs identified in this chapter have a disproportional impact on developing countries; to level them up economically by leveraging AI requires the fruits of AI technology to be shared and the West and other developed countries to aid the implementation of SDGs. Developing countries can achieve SDGs when developed countries implement a social contract for AI with developing countries.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationSustainable Digital Marketing for Fashion and Luxury Brands
Subtitle of host publicationTheory and Practice
EditorsWilson Ozuem, Silvia Ranfagni, Cindy Millman
Place of PublicationCham, Switzerland
PublisherPalgrave Macmillan
Chapter24
Pages581-605
Number of pages25
ISBN (Electronic)9783031824678
ISBN (Print)9783031824661, 9783031824692
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jun 2025
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • AI
  • Circular economy
  • Economic growth
  • Fashion industry
  • Fast fashion
  • Inequality
  • Poverty
  • Slow fashion
  • Sustainable development goals

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