Artificial Intelligence in Achieving Sustainable Development: Expectations of Undergraduate Students

While there has been ample discussion regarding Artificial Intelligence (AI)’s contributions and challenges on the development agenda at the policy level, little is known about how students translate the potential and barriers of AI in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Drawing upon various qualitative data, including class observation, focus group interviews, and learning activity outcomes generated by 240 students across 7 different majors, this case study explores the expected roles of AI as well as barriers to AI adoption for sustainable development perceived by undergraduate students. The study revealed that students anticipated AI to play diverse roles, including data analyst, a bridge to connect people and resources, and a barrier breaker. On the other hand, students addressed multiple barriers to AI adoption for sustainable development including access to high-quality data and lack of a goal-oriented AI model and skills in AI development and use. These findings suggest how AI can be conceptualized and positioned as a development intervention as well as offer implications on AI-driven interventions for SDGs.