Digital technologies for the Sustainable Development Goals

Abstract

Digital technologies (DTs) play a crucial role in advancing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It provides innovative solutions to global challenges like poverty alleviation, equitable healthcare, climate action, and responsible consumption. This study is motivated by the growing significance of DTs in addressing sustainability challenges and their critical contribution to achieving the SDGs while identifying barriers to their adoption. Using a systematic review, this review examines the contributions of various DTs, i.e., AI, IoT, blockchain, cloud computing, big data analytics, remote sensing, and GIS in addressing SDGs. The review methodology includes the keywords search in the title, abstract, and keywords “Digital Technologies” and “Sustainable Development” on the Scopus database. A total of 473 peer-reviewed articles are included in the study. The findings highlight the transformative role of DTs in enhancing resource optimization, decision-making, and service delivery and achieving various SDGs. AI facilitates automation and predictive analytics, supporting healthcare (SDG 3) and climate action (SDG 13). Blockchain enhances transparency, security, and ethical governance (SDG 16). IoT enables real-time monitoring for smart cities (SDG 11) and energy efficiency (SDG 7). Big data analytics strengthens supply chains, agricultural productivity (SDG 2), and disaster management (SDG 13). Cloud computing fosters collaboration and scalability (SDG 9, SDG 17), while 5G networks improve connectivity and infrastructure development. Remote sensing and GIS provide essential insights for environmental monitoring (SDG 14, SDG 15) and disaster response.

Despite these benefits, several challenges hinder DT adoption, including the digital divide, high costs, data privacy concerns, and skill shortages. To overcome these barriers, the study emphasizes policy measures such as (i) increased government investments in digital infrastructure, (ii) strategic public–private partnerships, and (iii) capacity-building initiatives for organizations, communities, and individuals. Ensuring equitable access, ethical digital practices, and environmental sustainability is crucial to fully leveraging DTs for SDGs achievement. This comprehensive analysis provides valuable insights for policymakers, industry leaders, businesses, organizations, researchers, communities, and individuals for leveraging and developing inclusive sustainable digital transformation strategies that accelerate progress toward the SDGs.