Twin Transition or Competing Interests? Validation of the Artificial Intelligence and Sustainability Perceptions Inventory (AISPI)

2025-01-26

AI Summary

A standardized instrument for quantifying public perceptions of the relationship between artificial intelligence (AI) and sustainable development is currently lacking. This study develops and validates the AI and Sustainability Perception Inventory (AISPI), the first empirically derived scale to identify and confirm a two-dimensional structure: Twin Transition (perceived synergistic advancement) and Competing Interests (perceived goal conflict). Through exploratory factor analysis, rigorous psychometric evaluation—including high internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.89)—and convergent/divergent validity testing against established scales, the AISPI demonstrates strong reliability, structural validity, and discriminant validity. Comprising 13 items, this scale fills a critical methodological gap in the AI–sustainability intersection, providing the first benchmarked, generalizable measurement framework for research on public understanding, policy impact assessment, and strategic science communication.

Technology Category

• Humans and AI: AI for Accessibility
• Philosophy and Ethics of AI: Safety, Robustness & Trustworthiness
• Application Domains: Humanities & Computational Social Science

Application Category

• Search and Retrieval-Augmented AI: Web evaluation methodologies and metrics
• Economics, Online Markets and Human Computation: Sustainability of Web economics
• Systems and Infrastructure for Web, Mobile and WoT: Applied ML and AI for Web-based mobile applications

Abstract

As artificial intelligence (AI) and sustainability initiatives increasingly intersect, understanding public perceptions of their relationship becomes crucial for successful implementation. However, no validated instrument exists to measure these specific perceptions. This paper presents the development and validation of the Artificial Intelligence and Sustainability Perceptions Inventory (AISPI), a novel 13-item instrument measuring how individuals view the relationship between AI advancement and environmental sustainability. Through factor analysis (N=105), we identified two distinct dimensions: Twin Transition and Competing Interests. The instrument demonstrated strong reliability (alpha=.89) and construct validity through correlations with established measures of AI and sustainability attitudes. Our findings suggest that individuals can simultaneously recognize both synergies and tensions in the AI-sustainability relationship, offering important implications for researchers and practitioners working at this critical intersection. This work provides a foundational tool for future research on public perceptions of AI's role in sustainable development.

Problem

• Public Perception
• Artificial Intelligence
• Environmental Sustainability

Innovation

• AI-Environmental Perception
• Synergy-Conflict Framework
• Reliability Validation