AI for Sustainable Futures (NCO106)

This course explores the intersections between artificial intelligence (AI) and sustainability of societies, economies, and environments. Through observations of applied AI in real-world contexts and hands-on experiences, students will learn the extent to which a wide range of AI tools, from machine learning to robotics and smart systems, play a role in addressing sustainability issues in diverse fields, such as urban planning, healthcare, education, architecture, and security, to name a few. Yet, AI and sustainability also have their contradictions, and this course engages students not only to be part of the discussion and debate on AI influence in societal, environmental, and organisational systems, but also to envision their role in shaping AI for a more sustainable world. Combining seminars, practice-oriented assignments, experiential learning activities and case studies, students will examine the application of AI tools in problem-solving of contemporary societies. Through this course, students will acquire knowledge and understanding to describe the role of human judgement and ethics amidst increasing ubiquitousness of AI and to identify sustainable approaches for integrating AI in the economy, society, and environment, while also being able to explain the relationship between individual and social responsibilities in practicing AI principles. By the end of the course, students will be able to discuss AI applications for various aspects of sustainability, to analyse configurations of human-AI interactions, and to develop strategies to promote human agency in shaping resilient and just societies as foundations of sustainable futures.

• Principles and Core Values of AI systems in sustainability
• Responsible AI, Problem-Solving, and Human Agency
• AI Trends in Industries, Markets, and Policies
• AI Applications in Resource Management and Ecosystem Services
• Sustaining Health and Social Well-being
• Algorithmic Enclaves and Civic Participation
• Introduction to Data-driven Urban Planning and Design
• Energy, Environmental Impacts, and the Climate Crisis
• Introduction to Ethical Impact Assessment and AI Risk Assessment Frameworks
• Critical Approach to Evaluate AI-assisted Outputs in Sustainability
• AI Readiness in Governance Systems
• AI for Sustainable Development in Asia: Current Issues, Possibilities, and Challenges

• Describe the role of human judgement and ethics in AI applications for sustainability
• Identify sustainable approaches for integrating AI in the economy, society, and environment
• Explain the relationship between individual and social responsibilities in practicing AI principles
• Discuss AI applications for various aspects of sustainability
• Analyse intersections of human agency and AI in sustainable development practices and processes
• Develop strategies to promote human agency in shaping resilient and just societies as foundations of sustainable futures