GeSI in Barcelona: Shaping the Future of AI & Sustainability

On March 6, 2025, GeSI convened an exclusive workshop in Barcelona, bringing together members and key partners to define the next steps in our AI-for-Sustainability initiative. The session, following Mobile World Congress, was a pivotal moment in advancing our upcoming SMART Project—a bold initiative exploring how artificial intelligence (AI) can drive sustainability and business value.

Why does Sustainability Matter for AI?

The world is at a critical juncture where digital solutions must be harnessed to address urgent sustainability challenges. AI, backed by resilient digital infrastructure, has the potential to revolutionize how industries reduce carbon footprints, optimize resources, and drive systemic change. However, unlocking AI’s full potential for sustainability requires collaboration, standard-setting, and a clear strategic vision—precisely what GeSI’s next SMART Project aims to achieve.

Key Themes from the Workshop

During the workshop, members engaged in high-impact discussions on:

• Digital Infrastructure & Enablers: Identifying gaps, constraints, and necessary policy frameworks for a robust, AI-powered sustainable future.
• Global Governance & Collaboration: Establishing pathways for AI governance to ensure ethical, equitable, and impactful applications at scale.
• AI’s Commercial Opportunities for Sustainability: How AI-driven innovations can be monetized while tackling sustainability challenges.

The insights gathered from these discussions will directly inform GeSI’s next SMART Project, shaping its structure around three key pillars:

1. How We Want to Live: Envisioning AI’s role in building sustainable societies.
2. The Digital Infrastructure It Will Take: Addressing the foundational technologies needed to support AI’s sustainability potential.
3. Organizing for Enablement at Scale: Developing governance frameworks and aligning stakeholders for meaningful impact.

What’s Next?

The Barcelona workshop was the first step in a larger, multi-stage roadmap to define and implement AI-for-Sustainability strategies. This initiative is more than just a research project—it’s a movement toward a future where AI and sustainability intersect seamlessly, creating value for businesses, society, and the planet.