AI and Sustainability in E-Commerce: An Integrated Approach

Abstract

The e-commerce industry has transformed the global retail ecosystem, bringing unprecedented convenience and variety to consumers at the time they want it. It has, however, brought about significant environmental challenges through carbon emissions, non-renewable waste generation, and resource depletion at a very fast rate. Therefore, artificial intelligence stands at the forefront of achieving this balance between profitability and environmental responsibility in e-commerce. This paper explores the connection between AI and sustainability within the scope of e-commerce, including: how AI might be considered an optimizer for supply chains; how AI can further help avoid waste, minimize energy, and encourage consumers to be environmentally friendly through customer experiences. The paper discusses several case studies, use-cases, and insights from different industries to underscore the probable challenges and integrations involved in AI-driven sustainability projects within the context of the e-commerce industry.