This study conceptualizes Artificial Intelligence’s (AI) pivotal role in shaping the tourism industry’s contribution to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), presenting AI as a transformative force capable of significantly accelerating SDG progress by enhancing sustainable tourism practices. Accordingly, we adapt and apply the FATE framework to propose a structured approach and insight into the responsible implementation of AI in the tourism industry to achieve SDGs. Specifically, the proposed framework postulates that harnessing AI’s potential responsibly requires deliberate integration guided by the principles of fairness, accountability, transparency, and ethics. Through a systematic literature review and the synthesis of interdisciplinary knowledge, this study establishes foundational insights into the intricate relationships between AI, tourism industry, and sustainable development, providing a theoretical lens and practical considerations for stakeholders aiming to leverage careful implementation of AI toward achieving SDGs.
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