Twin Transition or Competing Interests? Validation of the Artificial Intelligence and Sustainability Perceptions Inventory (AISPI)

TL;DR

This paper introduces and validates the AISPI, a reliable tool for measuring public perceptions of AI's relationship with sustainability, highlighting the coexistence of perceived benefits and tensions.

Contribution

It presents the development and validation of the first instrument specifically measuring perceptions of AI and sustainability interactions.

Findings

Two perception dimensions identified: Twin Transition and Competing Interests.

AISPI shows high reliability (alpha=.89) and validity.

People perceive both benefits and tensions in AI's role in sustainability.

Abstract

As artificial intelligence (AI) and sustainability initiatives increasingly intersect, understanding public perceptions of their relationship becomes crucial for successful implementation. However, no validated instrument exists to measure these specific perceptions. This paper presents the development and validation of the Artificial Intelligence and Sustainability Perceptions Inventory (AISPI), a novel 13-item instrument measuring how individuals view the relationship between AI advancement and environmental sustainability. Through factor analysis (N=105), we identified two distinct dimensions: Twin Transition and Competing Interests. The instrument demonstrated strong reliability (alpha=.89) and construct validity through correlations with established measures of AI and sustainability attitudes. Our findings suggest that individuals can simultaneously recognize both synergies and tensions in the AI-sustainability relationship, offering important implications for researchers and practitioners working at this critical intersection. This work provides a foundational tool for future research on public perceptions of AI's role in sustainable development.