Contribution Benefits of Implementing Artificial Intelligence in Circular Economy Activities

The article highlights the link between the circular economy (CE) and artificial intelligence (AI) and analyzes the state of implementation of innovative technologies in specific circular activities. The transition from the linear to the circular economy brings considerable benefits, in particular in terms of saving limited natural resources, reducing the impact on the environment and increasing the efficiency of production processes. The linear economy generates considerable pressure on natural resources, and the negative effects include environmental degradation and depletion, in contrast to the circular economy which promotes a sustainable model by reducing the amount of materials, thus creating a closed system in which resources are kept in circulation. All this can be achieved by introducing artificial intelligence (AI) to play a significant role in achieving circular and sustainable supply chains, by integrating it into regenerative design and reverse logistics processes. Reviewing the specialized literature of circular economy strategies (CE) that have the ability to mitigate the emissions of polluting economic sectors, the relevant measures are identified, called the “circular economy set of measures”. The proposed methodology allows the construction of this set of measures containing categories of circular economy (CE) activities that can be improved with the help of artificial intelligence (AI), aiming in particular at smarter manufacturing and use of products, extending their lifetime and of its component parts, as well as the optimal use of materials. Identifying focal points can bring more benefits as artificial intelligence (AI) collects, processes and stores information about technical systems.