Scalable and Ethical Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Insights from Multi-Stakeholder Engagement in the Global South

The rapid expansion of Artificial Intelligence (AI) presents transformative opportunities to advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), yet ethical, infrastructural, and social challenges persist. This study develops a scalable and ethical AI framework through a mixed-methods approach, combining 37 semi-structured interviews with policymakers, developers, NGOs, and community leaders across India, Kenya, Bangladesh, Ghana, and the Philippines, along with secondary analysis of global policy documents from UNESCO, OECD, UNDP, and the World Bank. Findings indicate that AI-driven innovations in education, healthcare, and clean energy enhance efficiency and inclusivity, though issues such as algorithmic bias, data scarcity, and digital exclusion remain prevalent. The research proposes a context-sensitive ethical framework emphasizing fairness, transparency, and inclusivity, aligned with international standards. By integrating ethical governance and stakeholder participation, the study highlights AI’s potential to serve as a catalyst for sustainable and equitable development rather than a source of systemic disparity.