Circular Economy and AI Innovations

This course explores how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be a critical tool for the transition to a circular economy. As a key enabler of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, AI can help shift cities and industries to be more regenerative and sustainable by optimizing resource use, designing circular products, and supporting new business models. Through sector case studies in food systems, waste management, and manufacturing, students will explore the potential of AI to redesign supply chains, support regenerative agriculture, automate material recovery, and improve the lifecycle management of goods and resources. Students will critically evaluate the role of digital tools in supporting circular innovation, analyze the systemic impacts of AI development The module focuses on three core application areas of AI within circular economy systems: 1. Designing circular products, components, and materials.  2. Operating circular business models - including product-as-a-service - by utilizing real-time and historical data to improve asset utilization, predictive maintenance, demand forecasting; 3. Optimizing logistics and recycling infrastructure through AI-driven systems for disassembly, remanufacturing, and material recovery. By the end of the course, students will gain both theoretical and applied knowledge on how AI technologies can be deployed to design out waste, retain material value, and enable systems-level change across industries and contribute to long-term environmental and economic resilience.