Exploring the Future of Sustainability and AI
On 7 March 2025, the ELIAS project organised its first Theme Development Workshop (TDW) focusing on Sustainability & AI. The event took place in Bucharest, Romania, in a hybrid format and brought together over 40 in-person attendees and 10 online participants, including experts, researchers, industry leaders, and students to explore how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can address global environmental and societal challenges. The four-hour event featured in-depth presentations, engaging discussions, and expert insights on the intersection of AI and sustainability.
The workshop began with a thought-provoking session on the regulatory and ethical aspects of AI, led by Professor Marko Milosavljević from the University of Ljubljana. He highlighted the critical need for AI accountability, transparency, and inclusive governance to safeguard human rights and ensure AI benefits both the planet and its inhabitants.
The workshop then delved into three main research areas of the ELIAS project:
AI for a Sustainable Planet: Marius Leordeanu from the National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest (Romania) showcased how AI-powered UAV remote sensing enhances environmental monitoring and resource management. He highlighted the role of machine learning in predicting vegetation changes and optimising drone flight paths for more accurate 3D mapping. Leordeanu also introduced the Romanian AI HUB, launched on February 28, 2025, supported by the Romanian Government and a consortium of universities and companies under the Smart Growth, Digitalization, and Financial Instruments Program (PoCIDIF). Additionally, Leordeanu discussed future collaboration with ENFIELD: European Lighthouse for Trustworthy and Green AI, an initiative aimed at advancing fundamental research in adaptive, sustainable, human-centric, and trustworthy AI. This partnership seeks to drive innovations that align AI development with environmental sustainability and societal well-being.
AI for a Sustainable Society: The next session featured Ioana Manolescu from INRIA (France), who discussed digital democracy and the role of data journalism in fostering transparency and empowering non-technical users. Manolescu stressed the importance of integrating diverse data sources to inform public policy effectively. Nicolò Cesa-Bianchi from Università degli Studi di Milano and Politecnico di Milano (Italy) followed, discussing the challenges of transparency and fairness in digital markets. He underscored the risks posed by AI-driven digital platforms in areas such as trading and e-commerce, where a lack of transparency can negatively affect decision-making. Cesa-Bianchi called for designing algorithms that promote fairness and transparency, showcasing research on maximising social welfare in price auctions and financial markets.
Trustworthy AI for Individuals: This session focused on ethical considerations and the importance of fairness, safety, and model transparency in AI deployment. Nicu Sebe from the University of Trento and Lorenzo Baraldi from the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (Italy) discussed recent advancements in deep learning models, which aim to reduce harmful biases and improve the safety and trustworthiness of AI systems. Their presentations included insights into new techniques for identifying and mitigating unsafe content in AI models, with a focus on ensuring that AI technologies are developed in a responsible and ethical manner.
Charlotte Delage from IP Paris (France) also shared her insights on nurturing a network of promising young AI researchers, stressing the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, diversity, and talent retention in Europe. Delage highlighted the need for expanding AI networks to create a more inclusive and innovative European AI ecosystem.
The workshop concluded with a session on Entrepreneurship and Tech Transfer, featuring Nina Peters from the Tübingen AI Center (Germany) and Isabelle Siegrist from the ETH AI Center (Switzerland). They discussed initiatives to connect talent between academia and industry, foster AI entrepreneurship, and support AI startups. The speakers also introduced the ELIAS Alliance—a pan-European network fostering AI entrepreneurship—and the AI Launchpad, a pan-European accelerator that supports AI startups from European universities.
Participants were also inspired by testimonials shared by Wieland Brendal from the ELIAS Node Tübingen (Germany), Jessica Montgomery from the ELIAS Node Cambridge (UK), and Tine Norgaard Aage from the ELIAS Node Copenhagen (Denmark) that are all part of the ELIAS Alliance. These firsthand accounts showcased how AI innovations are already transforming industries and society.
Throughout the event, six thematic sessions were presented, followed by interactive Q&A discussions. One of the key takeaways from the workshop was the importance of collaboration between AI researchers, environmental and social science experts, and policymakers to create effective AI-driven solutions that promote sustainability.
The insights gained from this workshop will shape the Strategic Research Agenda (SRA) on Sustainable AI that will be presented by the ELIAS project, guiding Europe’s future priorities in AI and sustainability. ELIAS will continue to support AI-driven sustainability initiatives through upcoming workshops, funding opportunities, and collaborative efforts across Europe.
Take a look at the material presented during the workshop: Presentations
Watch the event recording here!
This event was the first in a series of Theme Development Workshops that will be organised by ELIAS in the next two years, also in collaboration with the European AI & Robotics NoEs, other AI flagship projects, and the ELLIS community. Stay tuned for the next one!
