The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Social Sustainability: A Socio-Technical Systems Perspective

This paper examines the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in advancing sustainability, focusing on the intersection of AI and social sustainability. Given the substantial body of research in this field, a systematic review of over 2,000 articles was conducted. The sample was first analysed descriptively, followed by a thematic grouping based on sustainability dimensions. Notably, the social dimension of sustainability was underrepresented, prompting a more detailed exploration of AI’s role in addressing social sustainability. To explore AI’s role in advancing social sustainability, this study uses the Socio-Technical Systems (STS) framework. STS, developed by Emery and Trist (1960), examines the interplay between technology and social systems, focusing on five elements: technology, work processes, people, organizational structures, and the external environment. These elements guide the analysis of AI’s effects across sectors such as healthcare, education, and governance. The study highlights AI’s role in reshaping workflows, skill development, organizational hierarchies, and societal systems, while addressing global challenges like climate action and economic resilience.The study contributes to the field by integrating STS into AI and social sustainability, providing a structured lens to assess AI’s impact. It offers actionable insights for policymakers, organizations, and researchers on how to leverage AI responsibly, ensuring ethical governance, fairness, and inclusivity. The study emphasizes the need for frameworks that balance AI’s opportunities with potential risks, promoting responsible AI deployment across sectors.