Formalizing of modeling of the operational phase of a Digital Service System with regards to Life Cycle Assessment

Abstract

Digital service systems (DSS) are complex systems characterized by the emergence, evolution and rapid adoption of the technologies they comprise, such as generative artificial intelligence. Their growing use significantly increases their impact on the environment. Although the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology, which quantifies the environmental impact of a system or service over its entire life cycle, is recommended, it should, in fact, evolve based on the system under consideration and the objective sought by the practitioner. As a result, the specific characteristics of DSS are not sufficiently considered; in particular, as the scope of their LCA may vary depending on the services shared with their stakeholders. The definition of this scope depends on a dynamic operational context (e.g. services activation, addition of new features, strategic adjustments), which requires the quantification of the use of the DSS to be considered. In the context of assessing DSS environmental impact, we propose a formalization of this operational phase modeling based on mission engineering concepts, dynamic analysis and multi-level system modeling in order to take simultaneously into consideration both the operational objectives of the digital services system and the LCA objectives.