MSCA lunchtime conversation - Making AI Sustainable – how can we minimise the environmental cost of AI?

About this event

This event follows the publication of the revised MSCA Green Charter, which includes updated guidance and practical recommendations to address the environmental footprint of research practices – including in digital settings.

The event focuses on making AI more sustainable. The development and adoption of green digital infrastructure, AI tools and AI practices are essential to

• ensure that the increased uptake of AI remains sustainable
• allow Europe to maintain its competitiveness while also realising its sustainability goals.

Speakers will present the knowledge and tools developed in EU-funded projects, which will serve as a basis for discussion and exchange among the panelists and with the audience.

About the MSCA lunchtime conversations  

The aim of the MSCA lunchtime conversations is to provide a space for exchange of ideas between researchers, practitioners and policy makers on the proposed topic through close interaction between science and policy.

Deadline to register: 4 December 2025, 12.00 CET

Agenda

Background

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a cornerstone of Europe’s ambition to be a leader in research and innovation while ensuring technological sovereignty and sustainability. This priority is reflected in the Political Guidelines for 2024-2029 and the EU Strategic Agenda, which place digital leadership at the heart of European competitiveness and prosperity. 

Recent policy developments underscore the growing importance of AI in science and research. The AI in Science Strategy, published just two months ago, sets out a vision for harnessing AI to accelerate scientific discovery while promoting a European approach to a safe, sustainable, human-centric and trustworthy AI in science. 

The environmental impact of AI, particularly generative AI, has been highlighted in the updated Living Guidelines for the Responsible Use of Generative AI in Research. Complementing this, the recently revised MSCA Green Charter now offers recommendations to MSCA projects on addressing sustainability in the use of digital technologies and AI within research contexts, reinforcing the EU’s commitment to reducing the environmental footprint of the activities it funds. These efforts align with evidence collected as part of the 2025 AI Index Report, which highlights that while machine learning hardware is becoming more sustainable, power consumption of AI models continues to be on the rise. 

Within Horizon Europe, numerous projects are exploring how AI can be both a driver of innovation and a model for sustainability. From bottom-up programmes like the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) to programmes supporting our world class European Research Infrastructures to projects funded under the dedicated Horizon Europe cluster for Digital, Industry and Space, the EU is mobilising its research community to ensure that AI technologies contribute to a greener, more resilient future.