This timely Handbook demonstrates how AI can be used to create circular economies with the goal of reducing waste, reusing waste products and protecting the planet. Leading scholars from across the globe highlight the potential of circular economies to transform operational approaches, moving beyond the traditional and unsustainable ‘take-make-dispose’ model.

Through extensive research and case studies, this Handbook illustrates how AI can facilitate the shift to a circular economy by optimizing a decision-making framework that results in better choices, more efficient processes, and streamlined outcomes. By adopting interdisciplinary perspectives which draw on sustainability, operations, and ethics studies, contributing authors analyze the benefits of AI in key areas, including healthcare, supply chains, marketing, product design, and manufacturing. Ultimately, this Handbook outlines how AI can reduce the complexity of circular transitions to accelerate systemic, cross-sector change.

The Handbook on Artificial Intelligence and the Circular Economy is a valuable resource for scholars and students of environmental policy, environmental economics, technology management, industrial engineering, and human geography. It is also useful for policy-makers, business managers and operations and supply chain management professionals interested in the practical applications of AI to enhance sustainability.