Sustainability and AI: Workforce Signals from the Twin Transition

This article focuses on sustainability and AI as a twin transition, and how the two are interacting to evolve both workforces. We discuss the role of AI for sustainability that is supporting the further development of the green economy, exploring how AI is enabling green workers to advance in energy efficiency, climate solutions, and resource management. We also examineworkforce trends in sustainable AI, that is, AI’s contributions to climate change, emphasizing the importance of developing green skills among AI professionals and the workforce that supports AI’s growth.

By prioritizing these competencies, we address the need for a workforce that is both technically proficient and skilled in sustainability. Throughout, our analysis centers on the workforce perspective, considering how targeted training and upskilling are essential to bridging these two transitions. In doing so, we aim to produce an overview of these workforces and contribute actionable insights on preparing workers to both develop and apply AI technologies for a sustainable future.