This high-level, half-day event is organised by ECMWF with the support of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology (DG CNECT) and in partnership with Science|Business.
The event will explore how Europe’s cutting-edge AI and digital initiatives including Destination Earth (DestinE), AI Factories, EuroHPC and national programmes are strengthening Europe’s preparedness and resilience to climate change and extreme weather events, while boosting its digital sovereignty and strategic autonomy.
Event details:
Date: 2 October 2025
Time: 14:00 – 18:30
Location: Skyline, Brussels, Belgium
Cost: Free
Registration link
Agenda
| 14:00–14:05 | Welcome & Introduction by moderator Simon Pickard |
| 14:05–14:10 | Orientation Video: What is Destination Earth? |
| 14:10–14:20 | Opening Remarks: Europe’s Digital and AI Strategy for Resilience |
| 14:10–14:20 | Opening Remarks: Europe’s Digital and AI Strategy for Resilience Thomas Skordas, Deputy Director-General DG CNECT |
| 14:20–15:00 | Panel 1: Building Europe’s AI Ecosystem for Real-World Impact Moderated by Simon Pickard Panelists • Representation from DG CNECT/DG CLIMA (TBD) • Cristian Canton, Associate Director Barcelona Supercomputing Centre (BSC) • Petteri Taalas, Director-General, Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI) • Monique Kuglitsch, Innovation Manager, Fraunhofer HHI Audience Q&As |
| 15:00–15:30 | Spotlight: AI in Action for Weather, Climate & Modelling Chaired by Marianne Thyrring, Director-General Danish Meteorological Institute, (DMI) Commences with short video: “AI in Destination Earth” Panelists • Sara Hahner Scientist for Machine Learning, ECMWF, AI Earth system modelling • Eva Prieto, Climate Change Specialist, Predictia, An AI-based climate emulator • Lene Østvand, Researcher, MET Norway A novel AI solution supporting Early Warnings for All: Forecast-in-a-box |
| 15:30–16:00 | Coffee Break |
| 16:00–16:45 | Panel 2: From Ideas to Implementation: Maturing Europe’s AI Capability Moderated by Simon Pickard Panelists • Irina Sandu, Director of Destination Earth, ECMWF • Maarten Van Aalst, Director-General, Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI) • Ana Olivera, Chief Technology Officer, +Atlantic Audience Q&As |
| 16:45–17:15 | Closing Reflections: Coordinating for European Leadership Fireside chat moderated by Simon Pickard • Grazyna Piesiewicz, Head of Unit, DG CNECT, • Florian Pappenberger, Director-General Elect and Director of Forecasts and Services, ECMWF • Jørn Kristiansen, Director of the Development Centre for Weather Forecasting, Met Norway |
| 17:15–18:30 | Networking Reception |
Attendees
Distinguished guests from across Europe will discuss the role of AI in building climate resilience.
The following groups are most likely to find the talks beneficial:
- Policymakers who are shaping digital strategy and climate adaptation
- Representatives from European, national and regional public institutions who are responsible for responding and adapting to the challenges of a changing climate
- Researchers who are working on advancing AI, climate science, and Earth system modeling
- Industry representatives who are building climate technology solutions
- Technology innovators who are interested in developing and using AI to benefit the environment
