More than 900 million tonnes of materials, 4 million km2 of land, and 53 billion hours of labour. This is the scale of resources that the Global North net appropriated from Latin America through international trade in 2020 alone, according to a new study by the Institute of Environmental Science and Technology of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (ICTA-UAB) which analyses ecologically unequal exchange and economic dependency. 

When it comes to complex strategic decisions, a shorter thinking time is associated with a higher quality of decisions.

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming higher education systems worldwide, and a new study highlights how AI adoption can significantly improve educational effectiveness in emerging economies. Researchers investigating higher education institutions in Pakistan found that AI-powered technologies enhance teaching quality, student engagement, learning efficiency, and institutional performance, particularly when supported by strong digital literacy skills.

The study examined how universities are integrating AI technologies into academic and administrative functions, including personalized learning systems, academic analytics, intelligent tutoring systems, and automated educational management tools. The findings revealed that institutions adopting AI technologies are better positioned to improve educational delivery, operational efficiency, and decision-making processes.

Importantly, the research found that digital literacy plays a critical moderating role in strengthening the positive relationship between AI adoption and educational effectiveness. Faculty members and students with higher levels of digital competence were more capable of effectively using AI tools, adapting to digital learning environments, and maximizing the benefits of intelligent educational technologies.

The researchers emphasize that successful AI integration in higher education requires more than technological investment alone. Institutional readiness, faculty training, digital skills development, and supportive policy frameworks are essential to ensure sustainable and inclusive educational transformation.

The findings provide important insights for policymakers, university administrators, and educators seeking to leverage AI technologies to improve higher education quality, student outcomes, and institutional competitiveness in emerging economies.

Construction SMEs in emerging economies are under increasing pressure to improve sustainability while remaining competitive in rapidly changing markets. A new study examining Pakistan’s construction sector found that green product innovation, AI adoption, and institutional support are critical drivers of sustainable competitive advantage.

Researchers surveyed 228 construction SMEs and found that financial resources alone are not enough to generate long-term sustainability benefits unless they are directed toward green innovation strategies such as eco-friendly materials, energy-efficient construction methods, and sustainable product development. The study revealed that green product innovation plays a key mediating role between financial resources and business performance.

The findings also showed that AI adoption significantly strengthens the positive effects of green innovation. Technologies including predictive analytics, digital twins, generative design, and AI-driven logistics optimization help firms improve operational efficiency, reduce waste, and enhance environmental performance.

Institutional support, including clear environmental regulations, sustainability incentives, and access to green finance, was also found to strengthen firms’ ability to convert financial resources into sustainable innovation. Researchers noted that regulatory clarity and long-term policy consistency are particularly important for accelerating sustainable transformation among SMEs.

The study highlights that sustainable competitive advantage emerges from the coordinated interaction of financial resources, green innovation, AI-enabled transformation, and supportive institutional frameworks. The findings provide important implications for policymakers and industry leaders seeking to accelerate sustainability transitions in construction sectors across emerging economies.