Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Environmental Authorities: Potentials, Challenges and Recommendations for Action—Results of Qualitative Research

This paper examines the potential and challenges of using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in German environmental authorities. In view of the increasing amount of environmentally relevant data, the importance of AI to support environmental measures is emphasized. Despite increasing interest, the application of AI in environmental authorities has hardly been researched so far. The aim is to shed light on the current state of AI integration by analysing success factors and challenges and deriving recommendations for action. Methodologically, the study is based on qualitative expert interviews using the “MTO model” (human-technology-organization).