3 in 5 professionals working to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals believe AI can accelerate progress. However, less than half feel confident that they have the skills and knowledge needed to use AI in their work.
A new EY report calls for a collective effort to use AI as a force for good, ensuring that no one is left behind in the pursuit of the SDGs.
The EY Report Explanis: Three questions to ask
1-Where do we need to create connectivity and accessibility, and build local ownership of AI solutions, to accelerate progress towards the SDGs?
2-How will we strengthen confidence, trust and transparency within AI and the data it returns to protect rather than exploit vulnerable populations?
3-Which alliances and opportunities for strategic collaboration can turbocharge the potential of AI to bring about truly inclusive development?
With many Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) behind schedule and a rising funding shortfall, the urgency to enhance positive global impact through innovation has intensified. In response, EY and Devex collaborated on a comprehensive report examining artificial intelligence (AI) as a transformative tool in advancing SDG targets. AI, through its data-driven insights, knowledge expansion, and operational optimization capabilities, offers substantial promise for accelerating global progress.
The research surveyed over 1,000 professionals in SDG-focused fields, including NGOs, UN agencies, and government bodies, providing unique insights into the needs and barriers to embedding AI in global development. The findings included concerns that, without proper guidance, AI may worsen inequalities, emphasizing the need for ethical, inclusive applications.
In-depth interviews and roundtable discussions with AI and social impact experts further reveal the steps needed to harness AI responsibly, ensuring its potential to foster inclusive growth and equitable progress is maximized.
Additionally, a large portion of survey respondents believes that AI has the potential to positively impact all of the SDGs, identifying SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure (89%), SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being (86%), and SDG 4: Quality Education (85%) as areas where AI can do the most good. On the other hand, SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, and SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth are perceived as areas that may potentially worsen in the advent of AI.
The resulting report consolidates key insights and considerations to guide policymakers and private sector executives interested in using AI to achieve the SDGs inclusively and sustainably.
It concludes that the top five benefits of harnessing AI in development work are:
1-Improved decision-making through data-driven analysis and predictive modeling
2-Improvement monitoring, transparency and accountability
3-Automation of operational processes
4-More customized solutions tailored to individual needs
6-Faster delivery of social goods and aid to communities in need
However, it also found that these benefits are likely to occur only if certain conditions are met, which include the following main five key findings. Download the report (pdf).
1-Close access and connectivity gaps
Top factors preventing survey respondents from using AI
Lack of awareness of AI applications — 48%
Lack of skills or technological background in AI — 38%
Lack of access to AI-capable technology — 29%
2-Empower the local population
Top enablers to fully leverage AI for inclusive development
Increased knowledge and awareness of AI and its capabilities — 25%
Increased access to training and skills development for AI — 19%
Stronger policies around data privacy and security — 14%
3-Strengthen confidence, trust and transparency
4-Create a strong enabling environment
5-Prioritize alliances and strategic collaboration
Together we can achieve more 74% of survey respondents consider public and private sector collaboration essential to maximizing the potential of AI for the SDGs
“The private sector plays a critical role in this ecosystem with its sizable resources and ability to drive technological innovation,” says Laura Turkington, EY Global Corporate Responsibility Commercial and Innovation Leader,” noting that SDG 17 itself emphasizes the importance of multi-stakeholder partnerships as a means to accelerate progress across all SDGs. “By pooling resources, sharing knowledge and expertise, and increasing access to technology for all, actors in global development can support more individuals and empower them to drive progress quicker and in a sustained manner,” she says. The private sector plays a critical role in this ecosystem with its sizable resources and ability to drive technological innovation. – Laura Turkington; EY Global Commercial and Innovation Leader
The findings point to a balanced approach, leveraging AI’s strengths while addressing ethical concerns, to foster inclusive and sustainable impact globally.
