Hidden greens – ai's role in sustainability through opinion mining

This research explores the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and sustainability discourse, primarily focusing on public opinion expressed on the Reddit platform. Using unsupervised machine learning and large language models (LLMs), we conduct opinion mining and sentiment analysis on a diverse range of Reddit discussions related to sustainability, employing both fine-grained analysis and traditional statistical methods like bigram and frequency analysis. Our findings reveal key trends in public perception and evolving attitudes towards sustainability, highlighting areas of concern and potential opportunities for intervention. Additionally, we demonstrate how AI can significantly expedite model development, enabling rapid responses to shifts in public opinion. This agility is crucial for aligning sustainability initiatives with the values and concerns of diverse stakeholders. While acknowledging the limitations of Reddit as a representative sample of global opinion and the need for further validation of AI's capabilities in specific sustainability contexts, this study provides valuable insights into the dynamic relationship between AI and sustainability discourse. By understanding public sentiment and leveraging AI's potential for rapid adaptation and analysis, we can inform more effective strategies for addressing environmental challenges and promoting a sustainable future.