Implications of Artificial Intelligence in Environmental Engineering
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58445/rars.585Keywords:
Artificial Intelligence, Environmental Engineering, Ethics, Climate Change, Environmental RacismAbstract
As environmental destruction progresses at an alarming rate, the threat of ecological catastrophes and the potential damages that communities around the world face demand that solutions be implemented immediately. Environmental engineers are at the forefront of grappling with the rippling effects of climate change, and to keep up with these challenges, a novel method of solving environmental crises must come to play: artificial intelligence. Artificial intelligence (AI) models can make educated predictions, identify significant patterns, and analyze large amounts of data, to help optimize and improve current environmental engineering processes for the future. This paper surveys different applications of AI that have been used by environmental engineers to enhance current technologies and practices in disciplines ranging from the petroleum industry to carbon capture. Additionally, we consider the ethical implications and unintended consequences that can result from an increased use of AI. Discussing the utilization of artificial intelligence in environmental engineering can ultimately help develop more effective methods for combating current environmental challenges, and further examination on the ethical implications of this usage can help ensure environmental justice for all.
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