Economic Sustainability Potentiated by Artificial Intelligence

Inhaltsverzeichnis

1. Frontmatter

2. Chapter 1. Economic Sustainability Potentiated by Artificial Intelligence

   Maria José Sousa, João Rodrigues dos Santos, Miguel Sousa, Subhendu Kumar Pani

   Abstract

   This review examines the interplay of artificial intelligence (AI) and related technologies in fostering socioeconomic resilience, sustainability, and innovation. It highlights how AI-driven systems optimize resources, enhance decision-making, and promote inclusivity in governance and policymaking. From enabling participatory budgeting to addressing digital divides, AI demonstrates potential in transforming public administration and urban management. The role of AI in advancing the circular economy and reducing environmental impacts is emphasized, alongside its applications in automation for energy efficiency and waste reduction. Ethical considerations, such as fairness and transparency, remain crucial in ensuring responsible AI deployment. The review also explores smart cities as a convergence of these advancements, showcasing AI's capacity to improve urban living conditions. While these technologies promise economic growth and environmental benefits, challenges such as job displacement and high energy consumption underscore the need for balanced approaches. This synthesis provides a foundation for understanding AI's transformative role across sectors.

3. Chapter 2. AI in the Sustainability of Social Economy

   Helena Belchior Rocha, Elsa Justino, Serdar Yener

   Abstract

   Social economy represents a vital sector that prioritizes social and environmental objectives over profit maximization. This sector includes a diverse organization such as cooperatives, mutual benefit societies, associations, and foundations. These entities operate based on principles of democratic governance, reinvestment of profits for social purposes, and autonomy from public authorities. In recent years, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into various sectors has shown immense potential to drive efficiency, innovation, and sustainability. The social economy is no exception. AI can provide powerful tools to enhance the effectiveness and impact of social economy initiatives, helping these organizations to better achieve their missions. This chapter explores the intersection of social economy and AI, examining how AI can address the challenges faced by social economy organizations and contribute to sustainable development.

4. Chapter 3. Ethical Concerns of Aviation Professionals Towards AI-Based Systems

   An Exploratory Study Understanding Motives Behind Non-acceptance of AI Ines Berlenga, Maria José Chambel, Luis Curral

   Abstract

   The present research sits within a broader study developed under a Ph.D. Programme in Psychology at Faculty of Psychology in Lisbon University (Faculdade de Psicologia da Universidade de Lisboa) and EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency). As AI-based systems are entering into the sector, it was important to listen to aviation professionals, assessing their level of acceptance of AI, applied to eight different hypothetical aviation scenarios. More than that, taking into consideration the ones that expressed their opinion as not acceptable (171 professionals), it was important to unveil the motives behind this negative opinion (2395 contents). Conclusions showed that aviation professionals have ethical concerns about the AI-based system itself (30%), about the consequent human negative impact when using such systems (28%), about how their data is used by the technology (11%), and about AI-based systems putting aviation safety at risk (6%). Results show a detailed motive basis for non-acceptance of AI, to which aviation organisations, research centres, and aviation professionals are invited to do further research, to ensure that AI-based systems applied to aviation besides being mandatory safe can also be ethically based.

5. Chapter 4. Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture: Revolutionizing Methods and Practices in Portugal

   Maria José Sousa

   Abstract

   As a result of ongoing technical breakthroughs, artificial intelligence (AI) has become an important topic for researchers and industry experts. The creation of machines that mimic human cognitive functions including learning, reasoning, and self-correction is referred to as artificial intelligence (AI). Its numerous uses in various industries have demonstrated its growing accuracy and effectiveness, and agriculture has likewise embraced AI to boost productivity and revenue. In order to fully comprehend the idea, current research, and projects related to AI in agriculture, a review of the literature was conducted. Additionally, this paper takes a practical approach to the potential of AI in agriculture by addressing the emergence of new techniques and practices, utilizing a case study approach, and examining how experts, academics, and agriculture professionals perceive the application of AI in agriculture. It helps build practical applications by providing insights that are relevant to both academic and real-world contexts.

6. Chapter 5. Wine Tourism as a Promoter of Talha Wine and Sustainability Practices in the Baixo Alentejo Region

   Sónia Vieira, Fernanda Pereira, João Emanuel Martins, Maria José Sousa

   Abstract

   Corporate sustainability is fundamental for the survival and competitiveness of companies in the long term. The European Union has proposed that the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) achieves the targets of the Sustainable Development Goals and promotes corporate sustainability reporting, which will be mandatory for listed companies from 2025, based on activity in 2024. The transformation in the business world promotes sustainability in the production of traditional products, such as talha wine, ensuring quality and authenticity. Talha wine, a tradition in Alentejo and Ribatejo brought by the Romans more than two thousand years ago, uses the technique of vinification in clay amphorae, giving the wine unique characteristics of aroma and flavor. Linked to the history and tradition of the Alentejo region, especially in the municipality of Vidigueira, talha wine contributes to the development of the region's wine sector. The study aims to analyze the importance of sustainability practices for traditional certified producers of talha wine in the municipality of Vidigueira, Vila de Frades, through a questionnaire based on the existing literature, with the aim of showing that these practices are valued and contribute to the sustainability of companies and the territory.

7. Chapter 6. The Impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) on the Sustainability of Globalized Businesses

   André Luis Azevedo Guedes, Bruno Santos Cezario, Carlos Antônio da Silva Carvalho, Orlando Celso Longo, Vítor Gouvêa Andrezo Carneiro, Lucio Fabio Cassiano Nascimento

   Abstract

   The growing adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) drives digital transformation and the search for more sustainable business models. However, the literature still does not provide a comprehensive view of how these technologies are applied to promote sustainability in global businesses, especially in countries with substantial research and development investments, such as Japan, South Korea, USA, China, and parts of Europe. To fill this gap, this systematic literature review (SLR) seeks to identify the main trends, challenges, and opportunities at the intersection of AI, IoT, and sustainability with analyses through the VOSviewer software. The research mapped and analyzed the existing literature using Scopus, Web of Science, and CAPES Journals databases. The results include identifying best practices and advancing knowledge on the interface between technology and sustainability, contributing to the construction of a more sustainable future aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations (UN).

8. Chapter 7. The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Green Reverse Logistics: A Sustainability Perspective

   Otacilio José Moreira, Maria Carolina Martins Rodrigues, Martius Vicente Rodrigues Y. Rodrigues, André Luiz Azevedo Guedes

   Abstract

   Due to the population’s high growth, man needs to find more efficient techniques to solve socio-environmental problems, such as reducing the generation of solid waste, using artificial intelligence (AI). This article aims to analyze and answer how using artificial intelligence (AI) in solid waste management enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of reverse logistics operations while promoting environmental sustainability through reuse, recycling, and remanufacturing. The concept of green returns is one of the main benefits of reverse logistics, ensuring the return of products that do not meet marketing standards. This is exploratory research based on a survey of bibliographic and documentary sources on solid waste management through reverse logistics, based on AI. Data were obtained from the WoS, Scopus, and Research Rabbit databases in the period between 2020 and 2024. The study aims to maximize efforts and contribute to the environmentally appropriate disposal of the waste generated, emphasizing the potential of its AI-based management, increasing the environmental and economic benefits of reverse logistics, and presents a proposal for an integrated management system that can contribute to achieving these objectives.

9. Chapter 8. Renewable Energy Innovations and Artificial Intelligence: A Scientific Mapping Study

   Donaji Jiménez-Islas, Miriam Edith Pérez-Romero, José Álvarez-García, María de la Cruz del Río-Rama

   Abstract

   The development and application of renewable energy technologies have increased in recent years due to the need for energy and the government’s drive to combat climate change. The use of renewable energy presents advantages and challenges that in most cases are solved through product and service innovation. A topical tool used in renewable energy applications is artificial intelligence (AI), which helps address the challenges of the clean energy sector. The objective of the work is to identify the patterns of innovation in renewable energy and artificial intelligence, and a bibliometric analysis was performed to determine the publications, citations, authors, keywords, subjects, journals, countries, and dynamics of collaboration in the field of study. The data were obtained from publications indexed in the Scopus database. Information is displayed in graphs and maps that allow to visually identify trends in the field of knowledge, and tools such as excel solver, VOSviewer, Sankey, and chord diagrams will be used. The rate of publications has grown exponentially from 2018 to 2023, having a rate of 0.039 years⁻¹, also the type of review document has the highest TC/TP ratio, and the most cited author is Tabor, Daniel P. The subject engineering, computer sciences, and energy are the three main fields of knowledge, and the most productive countries in publications are India, the United States, and China. The top 25 documents with the highest number of citations (91.7%) correspond to quartile 1 journals. The keywords related to artificial intelligence are machine learning, internet of things, learning systems, decision support systems, and big data applied to renewable energy. This work may be of interest to students, researchers, academics, and decision-makers in companies related to the renewable energy sector and is the first study to implement bibliometric analysis in combination with innovation and artificial intelligence.

10. Chapter 9. Generative AI Applications in Finance Analysis: New Technological Platforms Serving Companies and Investment Funds

    Younes Karrouk, Mario Arias Oliva, Luis-Maria Fornies Sanchez

    Abstract

    AI is transforming the activities of financial institutions while driving the growth of start-ups. By harnessing real-time market data, AI provides deep insights into investment trends and enables trades to be executed with remarkable speed and precision. Furthermore, AI solutions analyze complex transaction patterns to strengthen risk management in critical areas such as security, fraud detection, anti-money laundering, know your customer, and regulatory compliance. This integration of AI is propelling finance into a new era, where data-driven decision-making enhances efficiency, security, and user experiences. Against this backdrop, our research will explore how technology platforms leverage generative AI, machine learning, and advanced analytics to evaluate the sustainability and social impact of companies and investment funds.

11. Chapter 10. Fostering Sustainable Urban Development Through Digital Commerce Districts

    Nádia Leitão

    Abstract

    This study explores the integration of digital commerce districts as a pathway to sustainable urban development. By leveraging emerging technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), robust information networks, and smart governance tools, these districts foster improved resource management, enhanced citizen engagement, and economic innovation. A focal point is the PRR Digital Commerce District, which demonstrates how embedding smart technologies into urban infrastructure can promote local commerce, drive economic growth, and minimize environmental impacts. The study emphasizes the importance of balancing technological advancements with the preservation of local culture and community well-being, offering a model for sustainable, inclusive urban transformation.

12. Chapter 11. Immersive Learning: Leveraging VR for Sustainable Soft Skills Development

    Agnes Jenei, Maria José Sousa

    Abstract

    This study investigates the impact of hybrid training (cooperation skills development training enhanced with VR elements), by utilizing a diverse sample of 43 individuals from various professional backgrounds and age groups. Pre-and post-experience surveys were employed to collect quantitative data on cooperation (the topic of the soft skills development training), openness to VR, prior VR experience, comfort with technology, and expectations. The results indicate a generally positive shift in attitudes towards VR, with many participants moving from negative or neutral to positive or extremely positive attitudes. Comfort with VR technology also increased, suggesting that the immersive nature of VR effectively familiarizes users with new tools. In a learning-by-doing process, cooperation levels improved across all age groups, highlighting VR’s potential to enhance teamwork and collaborative skills. Participants provided constructive feedback, emphasizing the need to address technical issues and showing interest in trying more VR experiences. Recommendations for future research include conducting longitudinal studies to assess long-term impacts, including more diverse demographics, comparing the same training with and without VR elements, and investigating factors influencing user engagement. Overall, the study demonstrates VR’s multifaceted potential to improve cooperation skills and positively influence attitudes towards VR technology in carefully designed, soft skills training enhanced by VR elements, providing valuable insights for refining and enhancing future VR-enhanced hybrid training programs.

13. Chapter 12. Engineering Education in a Sustainable Context, Based on AI

    João Alvarez Peixoto, Andreia de Bem Machado, Marc François Richter

    Abstract

    Sustainability plays an essential role in training engineers to meet contemporary challenges, as they are responsible for designing products that must consider the sustainable origin of inputs, ease of transport, energy efficiency, and customer requirements and generate the lowest possible level of waste during the recycling process. The research problem is how sustainability can be effectively integrated into engineering curricula, and which technologies? In order to answer this question, the aim was to analyse the integration of sustainability into engineering education, identifying its integration into curricula and proposing technologies to aid this process of inclusion. To achieve the proposed objective, the study's methodology is a bibliographic review on the Web of Science (WOS) platform, in order to identify the recurrences of the integration of sustainability premises with engineering teaching, in a bibliographic review and bibliometric analysis on the Scopus database, focusing on innovative approaches and emerging technologies. The results indicated a significant growth in publications since 2020, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. Between 1990 and 2024, 4053 documents were identified, of which 1671 were scientific articles, highlighting areas such as engineering (2396 publications) and computer science (989 publications). The most active countries were the USA and the UK. The findings show that practices such as the circular economy, eco-design and product-service systems (PSS), combined with the use of Industry 4.0 technologies (IoT, big data, blockchain), promote the development of curricula that are more aligned with sustainability. These practices offer tools for designing innovative and responsible solutions, using artificial intelligence for life cycle analysis, simulations and personalisation of teaching. In addition, the data highlights the need for curricula that train engineers to address social and environmental impacts from the earliest stages of projects, promoting a holistic and sustainable vision. This is followed by a pedagogical proposal based on project-based learning in engineering education, which involves integrating teaching with the development of real projects in all their phases, and culminating in a proposal to use artificial intelligence tools in the process of integrating sustainability into the development/learning phases of product design. Artificial intelligence comes in as a point of analysis, as well as a look at sustainability, among the TRLs, whether as a scientific search tool or tools for predicting the use, reuse and disposal of the product, even if it is still at the idea, research, technology, proof of concept, prototype, validation or production level. In this sense, a more effective engineering education, contextualised with the world and consciously sustainable, is fundamental.

14. Chapter 13. Economic Sustainability Potentiated by Artificial Intelligence: Transformative Impacts of Intelligent Participatory Budgeting on Policy, Digital Inclusion, and the Economy

    Johnny Camello

    Abstract

    Intelligent Participatory Budgeting (i-PB) is an innovative approach integrating artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to enhance citizen participation in formulating and managing public budgets. This chapter explores the cross-cutting impact of AI on i-PB, addressing its interface with the economy, sustainable digital inclusion, and the necessary policies and regulations. The implementation of i-PB allows for an in-depth analysis of economic data, promoting more informed and efficient decisions in resource allocation. Additionally, using AI digital tools facilitates the inclusion of a broader diversity of citizens in the participatory process, ensuring that previously marginalized voices are heard and considered. The chapter also discusses the political and regulatory implications, emphasizing the need for a legal framework that supports transparency and accountability in using AI in the i-PB. By holistically integrating these technologies, i-PB improves efficiency and equity in public resource management and strengthens citizens’ trust in the government, promoting a more sustainable and inclusive economy. This study provides a comprehensive overview of the opportunities and challenges in implementing i-PB, highlighting its transformative potential for modern economies.

15. Chapter 14. Unpacking the Impacts of Digital Leadership: How Digitalization is Reshaping HRM in Public Administration Governance?

    David Ferraz

    Abstract

    In the contemporary era, digital technology is profoundly transforming the landscape of public administration and its human resource management (HRM). This research explores the multifaceted impacts of digitalization on HRM, focussing on its influence on work models and leadership profiles in public administration (PA). The objective is to delve into the effects of digital innovations on work models, HRM, and leadership within the context of PA. The theoretical framework considers the transition from Bureaucracy models to New Public Management and then to New Public Governance, evaluating how current models are aligned with digital transformation and digital leadership concepts. Therefore, a qualitative approach was adopted, integrating data from literature review and content analysis of relevant literature and public policy documents. This study captured insights from HRM public policies, managers, HR professionals, and other stakeholders involved in digital transformation initiatives in public administration. It was possible to identify how digital technology, particularly digital transformation, is impacting HRM and leadership profiles in the public sector. The findings highlight themes such as leadership in multicultural teams, data-driven analytics and fostering engagement of digital citizens in networks, as well as the interconnectedness of public managers’ leadership with internal and external environments. As public administration evolves in the digital age, it becomes imperative to understand the dynamics between digital technology, PA models, and HRM and leadership practices. This article seeks to fill this knowledge gap, offering valuable insights for future research and practice.

16. Chapter 15. The Digital Dimension as a Fundamental Variable for the Development of Human Capital in Public Administration: A Utilitarian Approach

    João Rodrigues dos Santos, Andreia de Bem Machado, Maria José Sousa, Rui Brito Fonseca, José Dias Lopes

    Abstract

    The article carries out a theoretical analysis of the concepts of Utilitarianism, the Principle of Diminishing Marginal Utility and the Laffer Curve, exploring their relevance in the context of investment in technology to increase the efficiency of Human Capital in public administration. Based on the “authorial intention” of the authors and the subsequent stages of bibliographical research and interpretation of concepts, the authors identify connections between these concepts and highlight how public investment in digital infrastructure and resources can maximize the public utility generated by each euro invested/spent in the public sphere. In the specific context of this article, the logicality of the conceptual relationships between the different elements studied emphasize the central role of Human Capital in public administration. Human Capital in the public sector, by benefiting from access to updated information and having the necessary skills to efficiently use available technology, assumes a crucial preponderance for optimizing investment and public spending decisions.

17. Chapter 16. The Role and Challenges of IT Project Management in the Portuguese Public Administration: An Analysis of the Adoption of PM2 Methodology

    Márcia Maria Pereira Pinheiro

    Abstract

    Administrative modernization and digital transformation have become central to improving operational efficiency, transparency, and accountability in public administration (PA). In the Portuguese context, the management of information technology (IT) projects faces significant challenges, including administrative complexity, strict legal requirements, the involvement of multiple stakeholders, and limited resources. These challenges often lead to delays, cost overruns, and unmet objectives. This study investigated IT project management practices and vulnerabilities within the Portuguese Public Administration, with a particular focus on the adoption of the PM² methodology developed by the European Commission. This methodology is designed to promote transparency, efficiency and alignment with European policies. The research adopted a quantitative methodology, using a structured questionnaire distributed across the Portuguese PA. The sample consisted of 200 participants, including managers and team members involved in IT projects, representing different academic backgrounds and different levels of experience. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses revealed critical weaknesses in key areas such as time management, risk management and quality management, particularly during the planning, monitoring and control, and closing phases of projects. Recurring issues included the limited use of technological tools and insufficient specialized training. Notably, only 7.5% of respondents reported using the PM² methodology, highlighting cultural barriers and the urgent need for capacity building initiatives. On the other hand, agile methodologies, such as Agile and Scrum, were more widely adopted, albeit inconsistently and often without full integration. The findings highlight the need for organizational and cultural change to improve IT project management within the Portuguese PA. Recommendations include the promotion of the PM² methodology, the establishment of dedicated Project Management Offices (PMOs), the strengthening of project management training, and the adoption of advanced technological tools. The study provides a detailed diagnosis of current practices and challenges and presents actionable recommendations for public bodies such as the Shared Services Entity of Public Administration, I.P. (eSPap), which oversees shared services in Project Management Offices (PMOs). Ensuring alignment with international and European standards is highlighted as essential to improve the effectiveness of project management and support the ongoing digital transition in Portuguese public administration. Future research could explore qualitative analysis, international comparisons, and the impact of emerging technologies on project management practices.

18. Backmatter