Vol. 17 No. 2 (2025): A CALL TO ACTION: SHAPING AN INTERDISCIPLINARY FUTURE THROUGH ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Artificial intelligence (AI) has evolved from a subfield of computer science into a foundational technology that is transforming a wide range of domains, from molecular biology and global finance to education and health care, signalling a profound paradigm shift. This editorial advances a new imperative for interdisciplinary collaboration among academia, industry, and policymakers to overcome fragmentation and harness the power of AI through an integrated, ethical, and human-centred approach. Despite its undeniable potential in medical diagnostics, agriculture, and climate modelling, the adoption of AI faces pressing practical and ethical challenges. Key issues include: (1) algorithmic bias, which may perpetuate social inequalities; (2) data privacy and security, exacerbated by dependence on large volumes of sensitive data and the risk of Shadow AI; (3) significant environmental costs associated with training large-scale models (LLMs); and (4) a dual economic impact, promising productivity gains while requiring extensive labour-force reskilling. Furthermore, accountability for AI-related errors remains ambiguous, necessitating clear regulatory frameworks such as the European AI Act and Brazil’s Bill 2,338/2023. Addressing these challenges demands a multifaceted approach that combines technical solutions (e.g. Green AI, bias mitigation) with public policy, regulation, and education, aiming to establish a governance framework that fosters innovation and ensures the fair and equitable distribution of AI’s benefits.