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Artificial Intelligence and Urban Air Quality: The Role of Government and Public Environmental Attention

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  • Chaobo Zhou

    (College of International Economics and Trade, Ningbo University of Finance and Economics, Ningbo 315175, China
    Climate Change and Energy Economics Study Center, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
    Ningbo Philosophy and Social Science Key Research Base “Research Base on Digital Economy Innovation and Linkage with Hub Free Trade Zones”, Ningbo 315175, China)

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) technology not only promotes rapid economic development but also plays an irreplaceable role in improving environmental quality. Based on the quasi-natural experiment of the National Artificial Intelligence Innovation Comprehensive Experimental Zone, this paper empirically studies the effect and mechanism of AI on urban air quality (AQ) using the multi-time difference-in-difference model. The research results showed that AI improved the AQ of cities. The mechanism analysis results indicated that there was a positive mediating effect of government environmental attention on the relationship between AI and AQ improvement. Public environmental attention can further enhance the role of AI in improving urban AQ. Further analysis revealed that the improvement effect of AI on urban AQ was mainly reflected in eastern cities and non-resource-based cities. The research conclusion of this study provides reliable empirical evidence for leveraging AI to empower urban green development and assist in air pollution prevention practices.

Suggested Citation

  • Chaobo Zhou, 2025. "Artificial Intelligence and Urban Air Quality: The Role of Government and Public Environmental Attention," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-16, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:13:p:5702-:d:1683782
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