ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE & THE 17 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

The title sounds much like in the fairy tale, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. But in this modern tale, it is AI that becomes the helper, supporting the achievement of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The world’s growing fascination with AI is well deserved. Its ability to deliver impressive results and unlock countless new possibilities has led researchers to coin the term “AI for Social Good”—referring to technologies that can positively impact society in areas such as poverty alleviation and environmental protection.

One organization PARIS21 (Partnership in Statistics for Development in the 21st Century) has been established in 1999 by the United Nations, European Commission, OECD, IMF, and the World Bank with the mission to support the measurement and progress tracking of the SDGs through reliable data and statistics.

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals, which aim to transform our world by 2030, can be viewed here: https://sdgs.un.org/goals. Despite global efforts, significant gaps remain—often due to limited or low-quality data that hinders proper monitoring of progress.

In its July 2024 paper, PARIS21 highlights the role of AI in accelerating progress toward these goals, showcasing three real-world case studies of AI for Social Good:

1. Tackling Plastic Pollution in Ghana

Marine litter threatens multiple SDGs, Plastics are so widely dispersed and reach even the most remote parts of the globe, that their real impact is difficult to assess. In Ghana, a novel initiative combines drones, AI, geo-visualisation, and citizen participation to map litter density. These maps help coordinate cleanup efforts and improve data accuracy.

2. Detecting Poverty in Colombia

Eradicating extreme poverty—SDG 1—is a top priority for Colombia. However, traditional data collection methods like censuses and surveys lack the granularity needed for effective action. Here, AI steps in.  Researchers trained an algorithm to correlate daytime and nighttime satellite imagery, with low light intensity at night indicating poorer areas. This method expanded available poverty data from 1,123 data points to over 78,000, offering a far more detailed picture of poverty across the country.

3. Swiss Data Chatbot

Switzerland’s Federal Statistical Office hosts open-access datasets online, but public use was limited by the technical skills needed to query them. In response, a chatbot was developed to translate natural language questions into Structured Query Language (SQL), retrieve answers, and present them in an accessible format. This aligns with SDG 16—promoting peace, justice, and strong institutions—by enhancing public access to information, a cornerstone of democratic freedom.

While these innovations are promising, it’s crucial to recognize that AI also poses risks that may hinder progress toward the SDGs if not managed carefully. To explore both the benefits and potential drawbacks, you can read the full PARIS21 report here:
🔗 AI through the lens of official statistics and the SDGs: What are the benefits and risks? | Paris21