AI and Sustainable Economic Development: The Long Tail Entrepreneurial Opportunities and Threats to the Rest of Us
A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Management".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2026 | Viewed by 149
Special Issue Editor
2. Department of Information Science, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch 7602, South Africa
Interests: entrepreneurship; strategic management; international business; knowledge and creativity management; human capital; sustainable economy; artificial intelligence
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Sustainable economic development is increasingly being recognized as a vital global imperative, particularly as societies confront accelerating climate change, environmental degradation, widening inequalities, and structural shifts in labor markets. In this context, fostering inclusive entrepreneurship has emerged as a key strategy for achieving more resilient and equitable economies. The convergence of AI's technological push and the market-driven pulls of sustainability present a unique context for empowering individuals and small enterprises. This phenomenon, framed as the “long tail” of entrepreneurship, enables broader participation in economic activity by lowering traditional barriers related to scale, capital, and specialized expertise. In doing so, AI has the potential to expand the entrepreneurial landscape—geographically, demographically, and cognitively—by equipping small-scale actors with advanced tools for innovation, efficiency, and market responsiveness.
This Special Issue will explore how AI could support sustainable development and entrepreneurial inclusion across several key dimensions. These include the alignment of AI-driven ventures with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); the use of localization tools and e-commerce infrastructure to expand access to green markets; and the enablement of sustainable innovation through AI-assisted design, collaborative production, and novel business models that emphasize environmental and social value. Digital technologies can also personalize customer engagement, enhance operational sustainability through automation, and support strategic decision-making via data-driven insights.
In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:
I. AI for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Aligning AI-driven enterprises with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
- Environmental entrepreneurship and AI: green startups and the circular economy.
- AI in agri-entrepreneurship: precision farming and rural economic upliftment.
- Social impact ventures: case studies from education, health, and financial inclusion.
- Renewable energy entrepreneurship: decentralized business models in rural areas.
- Tech-driven social enterprises: leveraging AI and blockchain for SDG impact.
- Circular economy startups: reducing waste through smart resource management.
II. Entrepreneurial Innovation and Opportunity—Emerging Technologies for Inclusive Entrepreneurship
- The role of generative AI in new venture creation and product development: enabling long tail participation in the gig and creator economies.
- Long tail entrepreneurship: unlocking niche markets through predictive analytics.
- Generative AI and solo ventures: new frontiers in creative and content economies.
- AI-enhanced digital platforms and micro-enterprise scaling in emerging economies.
- AI + IoT + blockchain: the triple tech stack driving smart, sustainable startups.
III. Others
- Skills, productivity, future of Work, and sustainable economy.
- AI capabilities, entrepreneurial mindsets, and capacity building.
- Policy, governance, and digital sovereignty.
I look forward to receiving your contributions.
Prof. Dr. Meir Russ
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- sustainable economic development
- entrepreneurship
- long tail economy
- artificial intelligence (AI)
- digital inclusion
- technological empowerment
- inclusive innovation
- sustainable economy development
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