About Sustainable AI
and the Bonn Sustainable AI Lab

Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be be an important tool for sustainable development. While there is an almost overwhelming number of publications showing the various ways in which AI can be used for the sustainable development goals, the sustainability of AI itself remains underexplored. But AI may come with a cost for both people and the planet: Carbon emissions, the mining of precious minerals and electronic waste are only examples for the damaging downside of the AI infrastructure. This downside of AI is yet to be thoroughly assessed, evaluated and balanced.

For this purpose, Prof. Dr. Aimee van Wynsberghe founded the Bonn Sustainable AI Lab in November 2021. This research initiative brings together researchers from various backgrounds to conduct research on ethical challenges of AI in different areas, contributing to a better understanding and assessment of the sustainability of AI from its implementation to its use.