Can AI Go Green? The Ecological Impact of AI
AI is booming—and so is its energy use.
From the carbon footprint of training large models to the strain on natural resources, the ecological costs of AI are real and growing. At the same time, researchers and innovators are turning to AI as a tool for sustainability, using it to address climate challenges.
On May 14th, we’ll critically explore the environmental impact of AI and spotlight how it’s being used to support climate goals.
We’ll hear from Laurens Bliek who has extensive experience at the intersection of AI and sustainability and will be sharing his expertise with us. After his talk, we’ll open the floor for discussion to reflect on how we can navigate the tensions and opportunities at the intersection of AI and sustainability.
This event was initiated by dedicated DAIEC members Pepijn Stoop, Marijn Prins, and Katherine Elizabeth Bustos Rodas. Do you have an idea for a DAIEC meetup? We'd love to explore it with you, so do reach out to us at the meetup or online.
📅 May 14th, 2025
🕖 Doors open & optional dinner (more info about dinner below) 18:30, session 19:00 - 21:00, drinks & connecting 21:00-21:30
📍 Business centre Vondelparc, room Souterrain at Vondellaan 2 Utrecht
🪑 Seats are limited, so claim your spot!
About the speaker
Laurens Bliek is an assistant professor in the group Information Systems at the Department of Industrial Engineering & Innovation Sciences at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), teaching AI courses including one on AI and sustainability. His research focuses on sustainable AI for decision-making, especially applying machine learning to complex optimisation problems in renewable energy, public transport, and urban logistics. With a background in applied mathematics, systems & control, and computer science, Laurens collaborates with industry partners in energy, transport, and mobility. Outside academia, he enjoys playing board games and engaging in climate activism.
Support
We’re happy that data ethics consulting agency The Green Land is sponsoring the event's location! The Green Land is a data ethics consulting agency in Utrecht that works towards a society in which data and technology are used in an inclusive, open, responsible and equal manner. They encourage responsible data use by governments through topics such as data ethics, citizen science, open data and holistic data governance. In practice, this means that they organize creative workshops, provide advice and implement it. They do this for clients in the Netherlands (such as municipalities, independent governing bodies and ministries) and far beyond (the European Commission, OECD and foreign governments). Check them out: thegreenland.eu. They’ll also be present during this event, so feel free to get to know them there!
Joining the event straight after work/uni or just hungry?
We will order some food and eat dinner together, join us! We'll order Mexican food from Chidóz (at your own expense). To see their delivery menu, click here. Please send us a message with what you'd like us to order to hello@daiec.nl and we'll send you a money transfer request that you can complete before the event. The food will arrive at 18.30, right when the doors are open. You can also bring your own food and eat with us, of course.
There will be some snacks and (alcohol free) drinks. Please BYOB if you'd like to enjoy the talk while sipping a beer!
Join the Dutch AI Ethics Community
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