Artificial Intelligence, Governance and Sustainable Development

Considering the power and potential of AI and digital technologies, very few studies have systematically analysed their potential for realizing SDG16, despite the role they are expected to play in realizing the 2030 agenda. Exploring the problematic nature of artificial intelligence, this book explores the significant advantages AI offers for successfully implementing Sustainable Development Goal 16, and the potential to track progress and impact through machine learning. Focusing on governance, the book explores the potential of AI to meet the SDGs within the categories of the rule of law, criminal justice, and ethics and access to justice. Highlighting that the SDGs are a problematic human rights frame and have been critiqued as ignoring some major global disconnects when it comes to areas such as trade, the book explores the potential for the application of AI to the achievement of the SDGs to be equally problematic, and considers issues of techno-colonialism, information deficits and fundamental technological dependencies which could be exacerbated when AI meets the SDGs. Offering an analysis of the role of AI and governance in securing peace, development and security, this book will be of interest to students and academics with an interest in international law, political science and development.

Imad Antoine Ibrahim is an Assistant Professor in Law, Technology and Sustainability in the Section of Governance and Technology for Sustainability, Faculty of Behavioral, Management and Social Sciences (BMS) at University of Twente, the Netherlands. He is also a Senior Research Associate at gLAWcal – Global Law Initiative for Sustainable Development, UK.

Jon Truby is a Visiting Research Associate Professor in AI and Technology Law at the Centre for International Law, National University of Singapore. He is founding Chair of the International Law Association’s AI & Technology Law Committee, and a participating expert of the OECD.AI Expert Group on AI Compute and Climate.

Paolo Davide Farah is a Full Professor at West Virginia University, Eberly College of Arts and Sciences, John D. Rockefeller IV School of Policy and Politics, USA. He is the Founder, President, and Director of gLAWcal, UK.