Artificial intelligence in technology networks: A catalyst for achieving the SDGs

The rapid adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and other digital technologies is profoundly transforming business processes and activities, enhancing various aspects of sustainability. These technological developments offer new opportunities to address complex sustainability challenges and contribute to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This study aims to investigate the networked value of AI within an ecosystem of digital technologies for achieving the SDGs. While extensive literature is based on the individual contributions of AI and other digital technologies to enhance sustainable development, there is a gap in understanding the networked value of AI when integrated with other technologies for sustainability. Based on a comprehensive dataset of 2161 sustainable business practices drawn from scientific literature, social network analysis was applied to map the relationships between AI within a technology ecosystem for achieving the SDGs. The results reveal that AI plays a central role, particularly in supporting SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). Moreover, AI is closely connected to key digital technologies such as the Internet of Things, computing, and digital applications. These findings reveal the importance of strategically leveraging AI in conjunction with other technologies to enhance sustainability performance. In contrast to much of the existing literature, which is largely concentrated on environmental aspects, this research demonstrates that AI holds untapped potential to address socially oriented SDGs. It also identifies current gaps in the integration of AI with immersive environments and proximity technologies. • AI plays a central role in digital technology networks for the SDGs. • Measured centrality to reveal AI's structural role in SDG ecosystems. • IoT, computing, and digital apps are top technologies integrated with AI. • Analyzed 2161 sustainable practices using social network analysis. • AI's network value reveals hidden gaps and future tech integration paths.