4 ways you can use AI to drive positive social and sustainable impact

Social responsibility and sustainability have been on many organisations’ radar in the past few years as global concerns around climate change and environmental protection have driven an uptick in research and innovation.

With the disruption of AI, this has opened up more incredible opportunities to solve real-world challenges and address social and environmental issues on an enormous scale.

This article will explore four impactful ways organisations across different industries can leverage AI for good, driving sustainable development, social equity, and environmental stewardship.

1. Enhance healthcare access and quality

Healthcare systems worldwide face many challenges: resource limitations, high costs, and unequal access to quality care. AI can transform healthcare by improving diagnosis accuracy, personalising treatment plans, and optimising resource allocation. 

This not only enhances healthcare quality but also makes it more accessible, especially in underserved areas.

Here’s how AI is already changing healthcare:

• Early diagnosis and preventative care: AI-powered diagnostic tools can analyse medical images, genetic data, and patient records to detect conditions earlier. For instance, Google Health’s AI model can detect breast cancer in mammograms more accurately than human radiologists, allowing for earlier and more accurate diagnosis.
• Telemedicine and virtual health assistants: AI-driven chatbots and telemedicine platforms can provide health advice, answer questions, and triage symptoms in real-time, which reduces the burden on healthcare providers. This is particularly useful in rural or underserved regions where access to healthcare professionals may be limited.
• Predictive analytics for resource allocation: By predicting disease outbreaks and patient surges, AI can help healthcare systems allocate resources more effectively, ensuring that medical supplies, personnel, and facilities are available where they’re needed most.

AI’s role in healthcare is especially critical in the wake of global health crises, where efficient resource distribution and early intervention can save lives. By leveraging AI to support healthcare access and quality, we can create more equitable and resilient healthcare systems.

2. Promote environmental sustainability

Environmental degradation, climate change, and resource scarcity are some of the most pressing issues facing our planet. AI offers tools to address these challenges by helping us better understand our environmental impact, optimise resource use, and protect biodiversity.

Some of the ways AI solutions are making a positive impact on our environment include:

• Climate modelling and prediction: AI algorithms can analyse vast datasets of climate data to model potential outcomes, helping policymakers understand and plan for climate impacts. IBM’s “Green Horizon” project, for instance, uses AI to predict air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, allowing cities to take proactive measures.
• Agriculture and food systems optimisation: With the global population on the rise, sustainable agriculture is crucial. AI-powered sensors and drones can monitor crop health, soil quality, and water usage, enabling farmers to optimise their practices. Companies like Blue River Technology use AI to detect weeds and target them precisely, reducing pesticide use and minimising environmental impact.
• Biodiversity protection: AI-powered tools can monitor endangered species and detect illegal activities, like poaching and deforestation, in protected areas. Conservation AI, for example, uses camera traps and deep learning to identify species and track population numbers, helping conservationists make informed decisions.

Through these and other applications, AI helps promote sustainable resource use and protect the planet’s ecosystems, paving the way for a greener future.