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SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: CONVERGENCES, TENSIONS, AND GEOGRAPHICAL, SPATIAL, AND TERRITORIAL CHALLENGES FOR CONTEMPORARY EDUCATION

Geojournal of Tourism and Geosites | 2026

Paper Details

Authors: Laribi R.; Fridhi A.; Kouki R.

DOI: 10.30892/gtg.65251-1756

Journal: Geojournal of Tourism and Geosites

Year: 2026

Publisher: Editura Universitatii din Oradea

Document Type: Article

Open Access: All Open Access; Gold Open Access

Cited by: 0

Abstract

Amid accelerating ecological, social, and technological transformations, education is confronted with the dual challenge of addressing sustainability imperatives while adapting to the disruptive rise of artificial intelligence (AI). Thi s article investigates the intersections, frictions, and pedagogical implications that emerge when sustainable development, geography, and AI are integrated within contemporary learning environments. Using the AïnDraham forest in Tunisia as a case study, the research demonstrates how spatial and territorial approaches, combined with machine learning techniques and augmented reality applications, can open new pathways for innovative and transformative educational practices. The study proposes a framework in which AI is not only positioned as a technical tool for ecological modeling and scenario planning but also as a medium for fostering critical inquiry, ethical reflection, and civic participation. Through the integration of data-driven analysis, geospatial modeling, and immersive technologies, learners are encouraged to move beyond abstract theorization and to actively engage with the complexities of real-world sustainability challenges, cultivating a form of applied ecological citizenship. Nevertheless, the findings also bring to light a number of structural and ethical constraints, including concerns related to data reliability, persistent digital divides, and the pressing need for teacher training that encompasses both technical competence and reflective capacities. Ultimately, the research advocates for a context-sensitive and progressive integration of AI and geography within sustainability education, positioning schools and universities as experimental spaces where innovation, territorial awareness, and collective responsibility can be reimagined. © 2026 by the authors.

Keywords

artificial intelligence; geography; geospatial; sustainable development; territoriality