UCL Grand Challenges hosts crucial international summit on AI solutions for Climate Change

The goal was clear: kickstart the mobilisation of intellectual, financial and innovative capabilities to allow climate action to be significantly empowered by AI in a cohesive, ambitious and achievable way.

A unique collaboration between the Climate Crisis and Data Empowered Societies Grand Challenge themes, we held this event in partnership with The Nand & Jeet Khemka Foundation, the Alan Turing Institute, University of Manchester, University of Oxford, and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development.

The focus was on AI-driven mitigation strategies across key sectors: Energy, Transportation, Materials, and Built Environment, with a goal of setting out pan-sectoral opportunities, risks and challenges through open discussion and expert insights.

It was also an opportunity to spotlight the wide-ranging AI and climate expertise at UCL. Through panels, keynotes and workshops, delegates heard insights from Prof Mark Maslin, Prof James Hetherington, Prof Aidan O’Sullivan, Prof David Shipworth, Dr Michael Fell, Dr Manos Chaniotakis, Capt Iain Hanson, and closing remarks from our Provost, Dr Michael Spence.

The outcome? Alongside creating and sharing key insights, the summit sparked an informal network that set out to build momentum and scale opportunities in the coming months. The ambition is for this to position the UK as a leader in using AI across sectors to fight climate change.

For more information on the summit, please contact Max Gillingham (max.gillingham@ucl.ac.uk)