Assessments of digital technologies in agri-food systems: A systematic review of the (promised) sustainability effects

Digital technologies (DTs) and artificial intelligence are widely promoted as enablers of sustainability transitions in agri-food systems, yet evidence on their realized and expected sustainability effects remains fragmented. We synthesize how sustainability impacts of DTs are assessed across agri-food systems and which effects, trade-offs and net outcomes are reported. We conceptualize sustainability assessments as practices, manifesting in configurations of data sources, analytics, and indicators, that shape what counts as ‘sustainable’ and determine systems governance. Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, we conduct a systematic literature review of peer-reviewed journal articles (2010–2024). The final sample comprises 56 studies, which we analyze using structured content analysis. Most assessments focus on primary production (79%) and emphasize environmental and economic outcomes, while social sustainability is underrepresented. Life-cycle approaches dominate, but studies often rely on narrow system boundaries, case-study designs and limited data transparency, constraining replicability and external validity. Reported impacts are predominantly positive and centre on resource-use efficiency gains and associated reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and pollution. Evidence on trade-offs, rebound effects and distributional consequences is scarce. We conclude that current assessment practices provide limited guidance for system-level sustainability transitions. Future research should develop standardized, transparent and multi-actor frameworks, strengthen indicators and data for social sustainability, and adopt systemic and counterfactual designs to capture interactions, feedbacks and net sustainability effects across entire agri-food systems.