AI, Data, and Robotics Forum (ADRF25): Pioneering the future of sustainable AI in Europe

ENFIELD’s partners explored the challenges and opportunities and the necessary policy and regulatory frameworks for fostering greener AI hardware.

The AI, Data, and Robotics Forum (ADRF25) recently brought together some of the brightest minds in industry, academia, and policy-making in Stavanger, Norway. The event, centered around the theme “Pioneering the Future: AI, Data and Robotics for a Resilient, Strategically Autonomous, and Globally Competitive Europe,” showcased visionary keynotes, dynamic panel discussions, and engaging parallel sessions, making it a milestone event for those shaping Europe’s digital future.

Among the many influential contributions, Nicki Lisa Cole (Know-Center), alongside her colleagues Sagar Sen (SINTEF) and François Picard (Danish Technological Institute) from the ENFIELD project, co-led a interactive session focusing on an often-overlooked aspect of AI development: its environmental impact.

The workshop explored the full lifecycle of AI hardware, addressing the environmental challenges tied to its production, logistics, deployment, and end-of-life disposal. In a World Café format, participants had the chance to dive deep into these critical issues, discussing not only the challenges but also the opportunities and the necessary policy and regulatory frameworks for fostering greener AI hardware. The session emphasized co-developing strategies that prioritize sustainability while ensuring that AI hardware is developed, deployed, and disposed of in a way that aligns with Europe’s green agenda.

In addition to the Sustainable AI workshop also featured Prof. Sokratis Katsikas (NTNU), representing ENFIELD at the Science for AI session. His presentation focused on the RAISE (Resource for AI Science in Europe) initiative, a new project under consideration by the European Commission. The initiative aims to establish critical resources to support the AI community across Europe. In his pitch, Prof. Katsikas highlighted the urgent need for AI systems to be developed with a trustworthy-by-design principle, ensuring that ethical standards and accountability are embedded from the outset.

ADRF25 was a prime example of how pivotal European collaboration is in advancing the AI, Data, and Robotics agendas. Through events like this, where industry leaders, researchers, and policymakers come together, Europe is strengthening its position as a global leader in the future of AI while prioritizing the values of sustainability, trust, and ethical development.

For those interested in learning more about the discussions and initiatives presented at ADRF25, visit the official ADRF25 website.