Artificial Intelligence at the Core of Circular Futures: Introducing ACCESS

Abstract

The accelerating convergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and the circular economy marks a decisive shift in how societies design, manage, and regenerate economic systems under planetary constraints. AI-Centered Circular Economy Systems & Solutions (ACCESS) is launched to serve as a dedicated, international, open-access platform for rigorous and impactful research at this critical intersection. This inaugural editorial outlines the intellectual vision, thematic scope, and scholarly mission of ACCESS. It situates the journal within contemporary debates on sustainability, digital transformation, and systems thinking, while highlighting foundational research streams that inform AI-enabled circular strategies—ranging from consumer behavior and community-driven business models to supply chain resilience, stakeholder governance, agricultural intelligence, and digitalized waste management. ACCESS also aspires to function as a scientific bridge between East Asia and the European Union, fostering cross-regional collaboration and joint innovation. By emphasizing ethical publishing, interdisciplinary integration, and real-world relevance, ACCESS aims to accelerate the transition toward intelligent, data-driven, and regenerative economic systems.