Transition Towards AI for Sustainability - Possibility and Challenges of Implementing Transition Design Framework in the AI Industry

Abstract: Today humanity sits at the intersection of two major drivers of change: sustainable development and artificial intelligence. The former aimed at promoting the creation of a sustainable world where the economy, environment and society are balanced in such a way as to meet the sustainable development goals set out by the United Nations. The latter being a powerful technological tool that acts as a double-edged sword. One no hand, AI can create unprecedented innovations, economic growth, and serve as a game changer for the pursuit of sustainable development. On the other hand, AI solutions can unintentionally harm the very people they are supposed to help, increase inequality and inhibit sustainable development. To ensure that the latter doesn’t occur, it is crucial that AI practitioners and decision-makers come together to envision a sustainable future enabled by AI. To do this, a deep understanding of the current state of the industry, the problems it faces, multidisciplinary collaborations, and the usage of new tools and ways of designing to solve wicked sustainability problems are needed. As suggested by a group of design professionals and academicians from Carnegie Mellon University, Transition Design can be useful when working to solve such a complex problem. However, the practical implication aspect of Transition Design has never been explored in connection to AI in relation to sustainability. Thus, this study provides a basic understanding of the factors that affect AI practitioners and how those factors align and conflict with the Transition design framework for sustainability. Some opportunities and barriers to implement the framework were discovered by looking at their relationship. Most importantly, the study served as a starting point to work towards practical implication of the Transition Design framework in the AI industry and other business areas, to bring about transitions towards sustainable development.