Aligning AI-Led Smart Manufacturing with SDGs for Poverty Reduction

This study explores the intersection of smart manufacturing and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) from a poverty reduction perspective. Smart manufacturing refers to the integration of advanced technologies, such as automation, artificial intelligence, and data analytics, into the manufacturing sector to improve productivity, efficiency, and sustainability. The SDGs, adopted by the United Nations in 2015, provide a comprehensive framework to address global challenges, including poverty eradication. This study examines how smart manufacturing can reduce poverty by aligning with the SDGs. It investigates the potential of smart manufacturing technologies to create employment opportunities, enhance income levels, and improve living conditions in low-income communities. By leveraging advanced technologies, smart manufacturing can facilitate the transformation of traditional industries, enable the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and promote inclusive economic development. The study employs a multidisciplinary approach, drawing on literature from the fields of engineering, economics, and sustainable development. It explores case studies from various regions and industries to provide empirical evidence of the impact of smart manufacturing on poverty reduction. Also, it examines the challenges and barriers that need to be addressed to ensure that the benefits of smart manufacturing are equitably distributed and reach those most in need. The findings of this study contribute to both academia and policymaking. They provide insights into how smart manufacturing can be harnessed to achieve the SDGs, particularly the goal of poverty reduction. The study highlights the importance of technological innovation and its potential to create inclusive and sustainable economic growth. It also offers recommendations for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and development organizations on how to leverage smart manufacturing to address poverty and promote sustainable development.