The Road Towards Sustainability: Transforming Consumption Patterns with Artificial Intelligence

Abstract

This study aims to contribute to a better understanding of the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in transforming modern consumption patterns and supporting international efforts to transition towards sustainable consumption. To meet this objective, a systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) for literature search and selection. Bibliographic searches were conducted in two well-regarded databases: Elsevier Scopus (Scopus) and the Web of Science (WoS), with the final search completed on May 1, 2024. Identified studies were assessed for eligibility and eleven peer-reviewed English articles published in respected journals were included in the final review. The author synthesized the included articles and used qualitative methods to present the current knowledge vis-à-vis AI’s applications for sustainable consumption. Grey literature was consulted to avoid source selection bias. This SLR led to a conceptual understanding of how AI contributes to meeting Sustainable Development Goal 12 (SDG12) of the 2030 United Nations (UN) Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly in evaluating, ensuring, and promoting sustainable consumption behaviors. The study also discusses the main challenges of adopting AI for advancing sustainable consumption initiatives. This theoretical understanding has important implications for informing sustainable consumption initiatives. The study also acknowledges its limitations, including the risk of bias and the questions left unanswered within the existing body of research.