ABSTRACT
Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to programing machines to do tasks intelligently like humans do. AI-based models have several advantages, such as they are more objective, accurate, cost-efficient, and automatic. The potential significant role of AI in a circular economy (CE) has been discussed in previous literature; most studies focused on general discussions either from a certain perspective or at a superficial level. Few studies deeply investigated what kinds of AI technologies could be applied to achieve CE transformation in an overall perspective and even less is known about how to implement them. This chapter is a systematic literature review methodology, exploring and finding evidence from existing literature on how/which AI could be a catalyst to accelerate the CE transformation during five circular business stages. The findings are that AI could be a catalyst during a CE transition by providing advanced techniques for realising the main CE principles during a CE transition (e.g., maximising the usage of goods). This chapter extends CE literature to the emerging interdisciplinary area of AI technologies. The findings could guide other scholars to identify gaps and to provide future direction. From a practical perspective, these results could help entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and policymakers better understand AI as a catalyst during the CE transition.
