Artificial intelligence in impact assessment: the state of the art

Bond, Alan and Dusik, Jiří (2025) Artificial intelligence in impact assessment: the state of the art. Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal. ISSN 1461-5517

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Abstract

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is beginning to reshape impact assessment (IA), offering both promise and disruption. This paper reviews the current state of the art, situating recent advances within a broader historical trajectory. Although early applications of AI in environmental assessment date back to the 1990s, the advent of large language models (LLMs) has driven an exponential rise in interest and experimentation since 2023. Evidence from literature, the IAIA25 conference, and a targeted survey of practitioners demonstrates that AI is already supporting efficiency gains through automation of repetitive tasks, improved data integration, and enhanced accessibility of complex information. At the same time, concerns persist regarding reliability, bias, transparency, and unresolved issues of accountability. Opportunities lie in fostering inclusivity, innovation, and capacity building, while threats include loss of trust, over-reliance, and ethical risks. We conclude that the future of AI in IA will depend critically on safeguards, governance, and professional standards to ensure that benefits are realised while risks are managed.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	artificial intelligence,impact assessment,llm,ai agents,risks,impacts of ai,environmental science(all) ,/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/2300
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Science > School of Environmental Sciences University of East Anglia Research Groups/Centres > Theme - ClimateUEA
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Environmental Social Sciences
Depositing User:	LivePure Connector
Date Deposited:	01 Dec 2025 16:30
Last Modified:	05 Dec 2025 01:02
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/101174
DOI:	10.1080/14615517.2025.2594274

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