Roundtable on Science and Technology for Sustainability

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As the world faces unprecedented sustainability challenges, including biodiversity loss, resource depletion, and ecosystem degradation, there is a critical need for innovative, scalable, and data-informed solutions. Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative technology with the potential to accelerate progress toward sustainability goals by enhancing efficiency, optimizing resource use, improving environmental monitoring, and enabling data-informed decision-making.

To examine AI opportunities, challenges, and pathways through a lens of sustainability, the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine's Roundtable on Science and Technology for Sustainability, in collaboration with the Board on Mathematical Sciences and Analytics and the Board on Human-Systems Integration convened a hybrid workshop on June 4, 2025. The workshop examined how AI can be leveraged to maximize benefits for the United States at the intersection of nature, people, and this critical technology. This Proceedings of a Workshop-in Brief provides a high-level summary of key discussions held during the workshop.

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12 pages · 8.5 x 11 ·
ISBN Ebook: 0-309-60027-8
DOI: https://doi.org/10.17226/29267

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National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2025. Artificial Intelligence for Sustainability: Maximizing Benefits for the United States: Proceedings of a Workshop—in Brief. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.

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The pandemic and overlapping global crises, including climate change, have increased attention to the importance of mental health and well-being as foundational for humans. Similarly, COVID-19 significantly exacerbated gaps in education, leaving children one to three years behind. Artificial intelligence (AI) has demonstrated potential to be transformative in addressing challenges in mental health and education and in supporting broader sustainability issues. However, there are well-founded concerns about AI regarding its potential to exacerbate inequity, further marginalizing underserved communities.

To further explore these issues, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine's Roundtable on Science and Technology for Sustainability, in collaboration with the Board on Health Care Services and Board on Science Education, convened a hybrid workshop, Artificial Intelligence in Education and Mental Health for a Sustainable Future on May 30, 2024. The workshop consisted of two parts: AI in mental health and well-being and AI in education. Participants reviewed AI tools, applications, and strategies in education and mental health and the implications for sustainable development. The workshop also discussed AI's potential to accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals.

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11 pages · 8.5 x 11 ·
ISBN Ebook: 0-309-72775-8
DOI: https://doi.org/10.17226/27995

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National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2024. Artificial Intelligence in Education and Mental Health for a Sustainable Future: Proceedings of a Workshop—in Brief. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.

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The concept of a just transition is increasingly recognized as a key element of sustainable development and the transformation of low-carbon economies and societies. Challenges to achieve a just transition include limited data availability and stakeholder engagement, issues of inequality, lack of regulations, and limited financial resources. To explore how to address these challenges, the Roundtable on Science and Technology for Sustainability, the Board on Energy and Environmental Systems, and the Board on Science Education at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine jointly convened a public workshop on July 24, 2023. Participants discussed scientific-related priorities to a just transition and ways to translate research from the lab to the field and practice, as well as ways to inform policy making. This publication summarizes the presentations and discussion of the workshop.

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13 pages · 8.5 x 11 ·
ISBN Ebook: 0-309-71398-6
DOI: https://doi.org/10.17226/27428

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National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2023. Challenges and Opportunities Toward a Just Transition and Sustainable Development: Proceedings of a Workshop—in Brief. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.

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On June 1, 2022, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine convened a public workshop to discuss global food security challenges arising from the Ukraine conflict and possible approaches to address these challenges. The workshop focused on short-term responses to the current crisis, opportunities for international collaborations, and how the crisis could impact U.S. national security interests in a changing climate, including the relationships between agricultural production, climate change, and security. Discussions also addressed connections among areas such as agricultural production, land use, energy, water, health, and biodiversity critical to promoting long term sustainability. This publication highlights the presentations and discussion of the workshop.

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13 pages · 8.5 x 11 ·
ISBN Ebook: 0-309-69518-X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.17226/26754

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National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2022. Global Food Security and Sustainability Implications of the Ukraine Conflict: Proceedings of a Workshop—in Brief. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.

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The widespread destruction of California, Houston, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands from extreme events, along with continued future transition planning exercises for building and rebuilding, have increased the focus on the potential role of sustainable energy deployment. To discuss the opportunities and challenges in deploying sustainable energy during transitions, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine convened a workshop in Washington, DC, on January 30, 2018. Participants explored how cities, regions, and nations are building renewable energy into their longer-term planning, in accordance with the context of the United Nations' (UN's) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This publication summarizes the presentations and discussions from the workshop.

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9 pages · 8.5 x 11 ·
ISBN Ebook: 0-309-47874-X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.17226/25175

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National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2018. Deploying Sustainable Energy During Transitions: Implications of Recovery, Renewal, and Rebuilding: Proceedings of a Workshop—in Brief. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.

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Solar photovoltaics, wind power, and energy storage systems offer viable alternatives to fossil fuels—but they also have environmental, economic, and social impacts. To explore these impacts, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine's Roundtable on Science and Technology for Sustainability held a workshop on June 12, 2017. The goals were examining the sustainability implications of material demands and manufacturing processes associated with renewable energy technologies; mobilizing, encouraging, and catalyzing the use of scientific knowledge; and stimulating additional research. This publication briefly summarizes the presentations and discussions from the workshop.

Publication information

8 pages · 8.5 x 11 ·
ISBN Ebook: 0-309-46457-9
DOI: https://doi.org/10.17226/24876

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National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2017. Sustainable Materials and Manufacturing for Renewable Energy Technology Development to 2030: Proceedings of a Workshop—in Brief. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.

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Roundtable on Science and Technology for Sustainability

Artificial Intelligence for Sustainability: Maximizing Benefits for the United States: Proceedings of a Workshop—in Brief

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