Artifcial intelligence and machine learning research: towards digital transformation at a global scale

Abstract

Artifcial intelligence (AI) is reshaping how we live, learn, and work. Until recently, AI used to be a fanciful concept, more closely associated with science fction rather than with anything else. However, driven by unprecedented advances in sophisticated information and communication technology (ICT), AI today is synonymous technological progress already attained and the one yet to come in all spheres of our lives (Chui et al. 2018; Lytras et al. 2018, 2019). Considering that Machine Learning (ML) and AI are apt to reach unforeseen levels of accuracy and efciency, this special issue sought to promote research on AI and ML seen as functions of data-driven innovation and digital transformation. The combination of expanding ICT-driven capabilities and capacities identifable across our socio-economic systems along with growing consumer expectations vis-a-vis technology and its value-added for our societies, requires multidisciplinary research and research agenda on AI and ML (Lytras et al. 2021; Visvizi et al. 2020; Chui et al. 2020).