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2025-10-15
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Copyright (c) 2025 Mudher Ghaeb Ali , Ammar Khadim Jasim, Sarah Aamer Riyadh Abdulrahman, Mahmood Jawad Abu-AlShaeer, Akram Fadhel Mahdi

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How to Cite
AI Ethics, legal regulation, and public trust in environmental health and safety
Mudher Ghaeb Ali
Al-Turath University, Baghdad 10013, Iraq
Ammar Khadim Jasim
Al-Mansour University College, Baghdad 10067, Iraq
Sarah Aamer Riyadh Abdulrahman
Al-Mamoon University College, Baghdad 10012, Iraq
Mahmood Jawad Abu-AlShaeer
Al-Rafidain University College, Baghdad 10064, Iraq
Akram Fadhel Mahdi
Madenat Alelem University College, Baghdad 10006, Iraq
DOI: https://doi.org/10.59429/esp.v10i9.3945
Keywords: Artificial intelligence; environmental health; legal regulation; ethical standards; public trust; regulatory frameworks; equity; sustainability; compliance; resource efficiency
Abstract
The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into environmental health and safety presents opportunities for efficiency, predictive capability, and improved compliance, but also raises pressing ethical, legal, and equity concerns. This study examines how regulatory clarity, ethical frameworks, and public trust shape the adoption of AI in this domain. A mixed-methods approach was employed: legal analysis of 15 international treaties and 10 judicial decisions; five transcontinental case studies; 25 expert interviews with policymakers, legal scholars, and NGO representatives; and quantitative analysis of 20 environmental health datasets. Multiple regression and structural equation modeling (SEM) validated results at p < 0.05 with 95% confidence intervals. The findings show that jurisdictions with strong regulatory frameworks achieve higher adoption rates (up to 80%) and faster compliance timelines, while fragmented systems face delays and inequities. Ethical outcomes improved significantly after AI adoption, with transparency rising by 35%, fairness by 25%, and public trust by 20%. Economic efficiency gains included 30% energy savings from smart grids and $15M annual savings through automated audits. However, equity gaps persist, with low-income regions and vulnerable populations showing only 10% improvement in access and inclusion. Policy recommendations highlight the need for governments to establish adaptive legal frameworks, NGOs to strengthen inclusivity, industry to adopt transparent standards, and international organizations to support funding in disadvantaged regions. The analysis shows that for AI to be used in environmental health in a sustainable and just way, not only needs to be technically innovative but also needs to be regulated well, carefully, and proactively, and build trust and co-create trust with.
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