SMART INNOVATION AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN DRIVING THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS (SDGS)

Abstract

This academic article examines the role of Smart Innovation and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It focuses on explaining the mechanisms through which intelligent technologies contribute to sustainability outcomes across three dimensions: economic, social, and environmental. The study employs a systematic review of relevant academic literature and international policy reports to synthesize the concepts of Smart Innovation, AI capabilities, and sustainable development. The analysis indicates that AI functions as a general-purpose technology that enhances productivity, supports strategic decision-making, and enables new forms of innovation. At the same time, Smart Innovation provides an integrative framework for combining digital technologies, data, and multi-stakeholder knowledge to create sustainable value. This article proposes an integrated conceptual framework suggesting that the impacts of Smart Innovation and AI on the SDGs are mediated by organizational digital and data capabilities and responsible AI governance, emphasizing ethics, transparency, and accountability. The findings highlight that although intelligent technologies hold significant potential to advance key goals such as SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 13 (Climate Action), they also face challenges related to digital inequality, algorithmic bias, and governance constraints. Therefore, this article offers policy and managerial implications to promote the responsible use of Smart Innovation and AI, aiming to generate long-term economic value, improve social well-being, and protect the environment in alignment with sustainable development objectives.