Abstract:

Against the backdrop of the global consensus on pursuing green development, it is significant to explore whether and how artificial intelligence (AI) technology can improve the environment and promote green trade. This paper constructs a monopolistic competition model incorporating factors such as labor, AI, and energy, with a focus on export product quality and green trade. From the perspective of green products and using data from listed manufacturing companies in China from 2010 to 2022, this paper empirically examines the issue. The findings reveal that the application of AI technology can significantly enhance green trade. The primary mechanisms lie in its effectiveness in reducing corporate pollution emissions, improving the quality of export products, and strengthening innovation capabilities. Moreover, the promoting effect of AI application on green trade is more marked for small and micro firms, state-owned enterprises, and enterprises in the eastern region. Further analysis indicates that the application of AI technology also helps enterprises enter export markets and enhance export resilience. These conclusions provide empirical evidence for AI’s role in promoting corporate green trade, accelerating corporate green transformation, and expanding international markets, offering references for improving policies that support green development through AI.

Key words: artificial intelligence, green trade, corporate green transformation, export product quality, innovation capability