AI Agency in Climate Emergency is a daring and topical examination of how AI is evolving from a stand-alone solution to a crucial, integrated force in the fight against climate change. In a time of increasing inequality, dwindling forests, failing infrastructure, and rising oceans, it repositions AI as a new type of agent inside ecological, political, and social systems. The book's 20 chapters and six themes cover energy decarbonization, foresight, agriculture, ecological monitoring, green finance, carbon markets, civic involvement, and behavioural change. Its fundamental strength is AI's developing agency, which includes the ability to recognize patterns that are inaccessible to humans, adjust in real time, and close the knowledge-to-action gap.

Yet this is not technological determinism. It is about ethics, imagination, and governance. Justice, transparency, and solidarity-not speed-must guide AI in climate action. The book envisions AI that is inclusive, adaptive, accountable, and context-aware, offering a roadmap for scholars, professionals, and citizens in the urgent systemic shift ahead.

Autorentext

Ali CHESHMEHZANGI is a Professor and Head of the School of Architecture, Design and Planning (ADP) at The University of Queensland. He is the Brisbane Olympics Committee member for Games Legacy and Growth Sub-Committee as well as the Expert member of the 2032 Games led by UQ. He has been in the World's top 2 percent field leader since 2022, recognised by Stanford University. He is among the top 25 global scholars in the urban sustainability research area.

Ali has a wealth of experience, expertise, and a strong commitment to innovation and excellence in the fields of architecture, design, and planning, the three core disciplines of his School at UQ. With a career spanning over two decades, he has made significant contributions to the academic and professional communities, with a focus on sustainable and environmentally conscious design. Prior to joining UQ, Ali held several strategic leadership and senior managerial roles, such as Vice-President for International Engagement and Global Partnership, Founding Director and Head of the Center for Innovation in Education and Research, Head of the Department of Architecture and Built Environment, Founding Director of the Urban Innovation Lab, Director of a university-wide Teaching and Learning platform, Director of International Research Network for Rural and Urban Development, Founder and Head of Research Group for Sustainable Built Environment, co-director of university-wide research priority areas, Director of Center for Sustainable Energy Technologies, and Interim Director of Digital Design Lab. So far, Ali has published over 500 journal papers, articles, conference papers, book chapters, and reports. This is his 50th academic book, alongside his many poetry collections that he has written in Parsi/Persian and English. Some of his previous academic books have received awards at the national, provincial, and municipal levels. He also has received international awards and recognition for his research on urban resilience studies and sustainability research, as well as a 2018 Vice-Chancellor's award for his impactful contribution to higher education.