Chemnitz, Germany — On 1 November 2024, United Nations University Rector and United Nations Under-Secretary-General Prof. Tshilidzi Marwala was awarded the Hans Carl von Carlowitz Sustainability Award. This accolade acknowledges his research connecting artificial intelligence (AI) with sustainability.
The award ceremony was part of the sustainability conference themed “A Healthy Planet Is the Prerequisite for the Health of All.
During his acceptance speech, Professor Marwala underscored the crucial role of AI in advancing sustainable development. “AI offers us unparalleled opportunities to address complex global issues. When applied ethically, it can drive sustainable solutions, improve decision-making, and empower communities worldwide.”
He highlighted the practical impact of AI across various domains, stating: “My interest in AI has always been driven by its real-world applicability to pressing global issues. Throughout my academic and research career, I have seen firsthand the transformative role AI can play across various fields — from modelling water resource variables and using AI for HIV prediction and analysis, to suggesting solutions to militarized conflict using AI mapping. I have also explored how AI can enhance human capacity-building and contribute to the development of economic theories.”
Professor Marwala also announced the upcoming launch of a new UNU institute dedicated to Artificial Intelligence in Bologna, Italy. “Our institutes address every SDG, emphasizing interdisciplinary and holistic approaches,” he added.
A team from UNU-FLORES, led by Prof. Edeltraud Guenther, traveled to Chemnitz to celebrate the occasion. Kamol Gomes, a UNU-FLORES doctoral researcher, observed that “While recognizing his work in AI and sustainability, the award also motivates the UNU community to drive progress on the SDGs through various approaches.”
