From 21 to 23 May 2025, the ELIAS project was prominently featured at the inaugural GITEX Europe in Berlin, joining forces with the IRCAI, International Research Centre on Artificial Intelligence under the auspices of UNESCO, to spotlight the intersection of Responsible AI and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
With over 40,000 attendees from more than 100 countries, GITEX Europe made a powerful debut as one of the continent’s largest gatherings of investors, innovators, policy-makers, and researchers focused on digital transformation and emerging technologies. For ELIAS, it provided a unique opportunity to share research, tools, and insights with a global audience while strengthening partnerships aligned with ethical and impactful AI.
Workshop: Responsible AI in Practice
On 23 May, ELIAS and IRCAI, in collaboration with AI in Africa, hosted the workshop “Responsible AI in Practice: Bias Testing, Privacy and Compliance”. This hands-on session focused on some of the most pressing challenges in AI development:
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Identifying and mitigating algorithmic bias
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Ensuring data privacy and protection
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Understanding and applying EU AI regulations
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Showcasing practical tools developed within the ELIAS framework
Participants included representatives from startups, public institutions, academia, GIZ, AWS, and municipalities. The session not only fostered knowledge exchange but also demonstrated the concrete outcomes of the ELIAS project in advancing trustworthy and regulation-aligned AI systems.
AI & SDG11 Challenge
6 startups—ToumAI (winner), Solvesall d.o.o., TIMLEAD, IANUS Technologies, Aed Energy, and DeepLeaf—pitched groundbreaking AI solutions for urban sustainability and resilient cities. Each received booth space and GITEX exposure, thanks to IRCAI and AI in Africa’s support.
🔹 Panel: Transforming Urban Futures
Led by speakers including Joao Pita Costa (ELIAS), Mustapha Zaouini, Kennedy Tumenta, and Asya Syvolob, this vibrant panel explored AI’s potential in shaping inclusive and future-proof urban ecosystems.
🔹 Networking Highlights
From a VIP reception at the House of Slovenia to meetings with UN Innovation reps, the event created invaluable opportunities for international collaboration.
UNESCO AI Centres Meeting: Strengthening Global Collaboration
Representing ELIAS and its partner organisation IRCAI, Joao Pita Costa further contributed to the global AI ethics dialogue at the UNESCO AI Centres meeting on February 10, 2025, at UNESCO headquarters in Paris. The meeting provided a platform to present ELIAS’ research and outcomes from the Workshop, reinforcing the importance of interdisciplinary and international cooperation in AI governance, emphasizing the consortium’s mission to develop AI solutions aligned with sustainability and democratic principles.
AI for a Democratic and Sustainable Future
The JAISD Workshop and AI Action Summit 2025 reinforced the urgent need for responsible AI development that upholds democratic principles and drives sustainable progress. As a key contributor, ELIAS continues to shape AI policies and research, ensuring that technological advancements align with societal well-being, ethical standards, and long-term sustainability. Through its continued collaboration with academia, industry, and global partners, ELIAS is dedicated to positioning Europe as a leader in AI innovation—one that prioritises inclusivity, respects fundamental rights, and fosters a more just and cohesive global society.