The Centre for International Law at the National University of Singapore (NUS) is pleased to announce that Cambridge University Press has approved a new volume entitled Governing AI Frontiers for Sustainability. This forthcoming handbook will be edited by Dr. Jon Truby and will bring together contributions from leading international scholars in the fields of law, technology and sustainability.

Overview and Scope

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative force in the 21st century, offering immense opportunities to address pressing global challenges, particularly those related to sustainability and climate action. From optimising renewable energy systems to advancing biodiversity monitoring, AI has proven its potential to drive progress toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, the rapid proliferation of AI technologies also poses significant risks, especially in terms of environmental impacts. Energy-intensive AI systems contribute to carbon emissions, demand significant computational resources and create regulatory gaps that remain largely unexplored. These challenges highlight the urgent need for comprehensive governance frameworks that prioritise sustainability while fostering innovation.

Emerging AI technologies such as agentic AI, autonomous systems, bio-inspired AI and energy-efficient frameworks like DeepSeek present a unique juncture for governance discussions. These technologies, while promising, challenge traditional notions of accountability, liability, and resource management. They raise fundamental questions: how can AI systems be governed to align with sustainability goals? What legal frameworks are necessary to ensure that emerging AI frontiers contribute to environmental and social equity? How can international law, regional regulations and ethical principles integrate to address these challenges effectively?

The term ‘frontiers’ refers to novel technologies, regulatory gaps and underexplored themes at the intersection of AI and sustainability. By advancing practical and ethical governance models for these frontiers, this book contributes a much-needed global legal perspective on AI’s environmental role.  This handbook focuses on governing AI’s emerging frontiers, with a particular emphasis on its intersection with climate action and sustainability. It examines underexplored topics, including energy transparency, AI-driven circular economy innovations, and the integration of AI into international climate agreements like the Paris Accord. By providing actionable recommendations and examining the role of law and policy, the book positions itself as a critical resource for academics, policymakers and industry leaders navigating the complexities of AI governance in the context of global sustainability objectives.

Structure and Themes:

This handbook is organised into 8-13 chapters, each examining a critical aspect of AI governance and sustainability, with a particular focus on climate action, international law, and emerging AI technologies. The structure provides a logical progression from foundational legal principles to the governance of cutting-edge AI systems.

The book will be structured around three thematic sections and tentatively include some of the following chapter subjects (subject to addition and amendment):

Part I – Foundations: Principles and Paradigms

•       Introduction: Defining the Governance of AI Frontiers for Sustainability
•       AI and Climate Action: Environmental Impacts and Adaptive Solutions
•       Data Governance, Energy Transparency, and Infrastructure

Part II – Crosscutting Challenges and Opportunities

•      AI, Climate, and Peace: Sustainable Stability and Sovereignty
•       AI and International Trade: Regulatory Gaps and Green Governance
•       Water-Energy-Food Nexus: AI’s Paradoxical Role in Water Conservation and Usage
•       Ethical and Legal Frameworks: AI, Eco-Colonialism, and Global South Equity
•       AI and energy systems

Part III – Legal Innovation, Regulation, and Future Directions

•         Emerging Frontiers: Agentic AI, Autonomous Systems, and Bio-Inspired Models
•         Education, Certification and Standards: A Policy Roadmap for Sustainable AI
•         Conclusion: International Law and the Future of Sustainable AI Governance

About the editor

Dr Jon Truby leads AI and technology law research at the Centre for International Law, National University of Singapore where he is investigating AI law and sustainability.  He is a Chair of the International Law Association Committee on AI & Technology Law and a participating expert of the OECD.AI Expert Group on AI Compute and Climate.  His current research examines the intersection of international law and sustainability on emerging technologies including artificial intelligence, quantum computing and spatial computing, with a focus on digital decarbonisation and nature-positive AI.  His research in particular examines the application of AI governance towards the achievement of the SDGs with a focus on climate sustainability.  He has served a number of AI policy committees including the UNESCO Group of Friends on the Ethics of AI.

For inquiries, please contact: aymanaseem@nus.edu.sg