The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Solving Global Challenges
A new Artificial Intelligence (AI) system resulted in a medical breakthrough whereby sepsis in hospital patients was detected early. This resulted in a 20% reduction in mortality rates.(1)
Current advancements in AI illustrate its potential in saving lives and making the world a better place. In this article, we will review the potential impact of AI on environmental sustainability, healthcare, and economic development.
Environmental sustainability
AI is capable of analysing huge amounts of past weather and energy data and can accurately predict renewable energy production. This facilitates better planning and managing of clean energy sources. By optimising energy use, AI can speed up the transition to clean energy.(2) It can also provide visibility on the additional capacity within existing power lines. To continue the progress that AI has started, there should be more efforts towards building clean energy infrastructure.
AI can also analyse data to predict geological, meteorological, hydrological, and climatological disasters. For instance, AI algorithms can analyse atmospheric data to predict a hurricane’s path and intensity. AI can also analyse historical seismic data and monitor ground movements to detect earthquakes. These examples lead to better early warnings and evacuation strategies, helping communities become more resilient. In agriculture, AI has made improvements by analysing soil, weather, and crop health, leading to better water use, reduction in waste, and increased crop productivity.(3) AI can provide insight to farmers regarding potential crop disease and pests which enables farmers to plan ways to protect their crops. Trapview, a company that produces trapping devices to catch pests, relies on AI to collect, analyse data, and monitor more than 50 insect species.
AI also plays a role in biodiversity conservation. AI algorithms analyse large datasets coming from satellites, sensors, and cameras that are used for biodiversity observations. This allows identification of changes in the distribution, abundance, and traits of species over space and time. AI can also predict the impact of climate change and human activities on biodiversity and ecosystems.
Healthcare
Apart from early detection of disease, AI has also opened new avenues for treatment development through personalised medicine. By analysing an individual’s genetic predispositions, lifestyle choices, and environmental factors, AI can identify whether the individual is at risk for developing certain medical conditions. This enables healthcare providers to plan for appropriate preventive measures. Another area where AI proves useful is wearable devices. Devices such as fitness trackers and smartwatches collect real-time data on physiological functions which can be integrated with other medical data. AI can look for any patterns and provide insight to healthcare professionals for them to develop targeted treatment plans.(4) In addition to this, devices and remote patient monitoring enhances telemedicine and enables patients to access healthcare services conveniently. This can help in managing chronic conditions and improving the efficiency of healthcare delivery.
AI also made contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic. AI generated the virus structure which saved scientists valuable time. This enabled Moderna to develop an mRNA-based vaccine with significantly reduced time. Another way that AI helped during the pandemic was through tracking the spread of the virus, which proved to be a useful source of information for policymakers and the media, and enabled the public to observe emerging trends.(5)
Economic development
Perhaps one of the more commonly discussed AI topics is its impact on jobs, particularly the loss of jobs. It is projected that by mid-2030s, up to 30% of jobs could be automatable. A combination of technological advancements, rising costs and wages, tight labour markets, and reduced consumer spending may result in 65% of retail jobs being automated.(6)
But all is not lost, and I remain optimistic. According to Klaus Schwab, while automation will eliminate a lot of jobs, it will also create many others. Think about it, there are many jobs now that did not exist decades ago. With more new jobs and businesses, this could eventually spur economic growth.(7) Advanced technologies are good investments as it leads to higher efficiencies and reduced waste, thereby reducing costs. AI is a catalyst for business growth and can prove useful in developing business strategy. For instance, using predictive analytics in customer behaviour and using this to enhance marketing strategies could lead to highly personalized customer experiences. For operations, AI can reduce operational costs and boost productivity by optimising workflows. AI can forecast resource requirements and aid in resource management. Chatbots powered by AI offer 24/7 support to customers, thereby increasing customer satisfaction and enabling human resources to be allocated to more complex tasks.(8)
Needless to say, AI is not perfect and is in its early stages. Humans have already achieved so much with it but we are still beginning to understand how to harness its potential. While AI promises a technologically advanced and equitable future, governments should create laws and regulations to ensure equal opportunities for all and promote sustainability in the AI economy. As individuals, we must recognise that continuous learning and upskilling in the AI era is crucial if we want to stay relevant in the future workplace and society.
References
1. Johns Hopkins University. "AI speeds sepsis detection to prevent hundreds of deaths." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 21 July
2022. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/07/220721132009.htm
3. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nxsust.2024.100041
4. https://www.laboratoriosrubio.com/en/ai-personalized-medicine/
5. https://www.coe.int/en/web/artificial-intelligence/ai-and-control-of-covid-19-coronavirus
6. https://www.nexford.edu/insights/how-will-ai-affect-jobs
7. The Fourth Industrial Revolution by Klaus Schwab
8. A Practical Guide to Business Growth and Success by Michael Ramsay
