Trends in the sustainable use of artificial intelligence: a bibliometric approach

The application of artificial intelligence (AI) in sustainable practices entails the utilization of techniques and algorithms to address environmental, social, and economic challenges with the objective of promoting sustainability across various sectors. Nevertheless, there are research gaps that require further investigation. It is of paramount importance to examine how AI can influence business models from the perspective of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to gain a deeper understanding of the potential of AI and to contribute to sustainability. The objective of this study is to examine research trends on the topic. The PRISMA-2020 methodology was employed for bibliometric analysis, and data were gathered from Scopus and Web of Science. The years of greatest interest were 2023 and 2022, during which time literature showed exponential growth. Notable references included Di Vaio and Palladino, while prominent periodicals included Sustainability and the Journal of Cleaner Production. China, the United States, and India were the leading countries in terms of scientific production. Thematic evolution revealed a shift toward SDG and artificial neural network. The principal thematic clusters were “Sustainable Development” and “Higher Education.” The emerging keywords were “Blockchain” and “Feature Selection.” An interdisciplinary research agenda was proposed to address these topics.