AI Climate Institute Workshop
The AI Climate Institute is a global initiative set to be launched during COP30. It was designed to build technological capacity and foster local value creation in developing countries by equipping individuals and institutions with the skills needed to leverage AI for climate action. Anchored in equity and sustainability, the Institute’s mission is to ensure that AI becomes a tool for empowerment – enabling Global South countries to design, adapt, and implement their own AI-based climate solutions while fostering an enabling environment through innovation policies that support such activities.
Pilot Workshop
The pilot workshop of the AI Climate Institute will be held from October 13 to 17, 2025, at the Guamá Science and Technology Park in Belém, Pará, Brazil, as part of the preparatory activities for COP30 (November 10-22, 2025). This iteration of the workshop is organized by ITS Rio and Climate Change AI, and has local support from PCT Guamá and institutional support from the COP30 Presidency, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Itamaraty), and the National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel).
Spanning five intensive days, the pilot workshop will combine lectures, case studies, and facilitated discussions. The curriculum is designed to provide a critical understanding of how AI can be applied ethically, effectively, and in context to mitigate and adapt to the climate crisis.
The pilot workshop is open to professionals from governments, philanthropic foundations, NGOs, the private sector, and academia from across all Amazonian countries. This includes decision-makers working in climate change–related sectors (e.g., energy, forestry, agriculture), in technology and innovation policy, and in technical capacity-building. It also includes participants with experience collaborating with frontline communities affected by climate change, as well as those engaged in implementing climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies across sectors.
An open call was launched (deadline: August 29, 2025) to invite participants to apply. All travel and accommodation expenses for participants will be covered by the organizers.
As this is the first pilot of the program, participants will play an important role in shaping the discussions and setting the direction for future editions. The lessons learned will inform the foundation for the Institute’s operations, with the goal of expanding capabilities and promoting technological solutions centered on climate equity.
Speakers
Mentors
Program Schedule
Day 1 - Monday, October 13, 2025
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| Welcome | |
| 5:30-6:30 PM BRT |
Walking Tour in Belém
Details: (click to expand)Walking tour at the Historical Center of Belém, guided by Professor Michel Pinho |
| 6:30-9:30 PM BRT | Cocktail and Welcome Dinner, sponsored by Salesforce |
Day 2 - Tuesday, October 14, 2025
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| Foundation Lectures | |
| 9:30-10:25 AM BRT |
Introduction to AI Climate Institute Workshop
Details: (click to expand)Speakers:
|
| 10:25-10:30 AM BRT | AI in Brazil – Fabro Steibel, ITS Rio |
| 10:45-11:45 AM BRT | Introduction to AI – Nikola Milojevic-Dupont, Climate Change AI |
| 12:00-1:00 PM BRT | Introduction to AI-for-climate – Maria João Sousa, Climate Change AI |
| Sectoral Overviews | |
| 2:00-3:00 PM BRT | AI for Energy – José Córdova García, ESPOL University |
| 4:00-5:00 PM BRT | AI for Agriculture – João Paulo Sampaio Werner, Vega Monitoramento |
Day 3 - Wednesday, October 15, 2025
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| Foundation Lecture | |
| 9:30-10:30 AM BRT | Energy and Resources of AI – Nikola Milojevic-Dupont, Climate Change AI |
| Sectoral Overviews | |
| 10:45-11:15 AM BRT | AI for Extreme Weather – Bianca Zadrozny, IBM Research |
| 11:15-11:45 AM BRT | AI for Disaster Management – Edier Aristizábal, Universidad Nacional de Colombia |
| Foundation Lecture | |
| 12:00-01:00 PM BRT | Responsible and Ethical AI – Priya Donti, Climate Change AI and MIT |
| Sectoral Overview | |
| 2:00-3:00 PM BRT | AI for Biodiversity – Marconi Campos-Cerqueira, WildMon |
| Case Study | |
| 4:00-5:00 PM BRT | AI for Agriculture Case Study – Margareth Gonçalves Simões, EMBRAPA and UERJ |
Day 4 - Thursday, October 16, 2025
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| Sectoral Overview | |
| 9:30-10:30 AM BRT | AI for Forestry – Silvana Amaral Kampel, INPE |
| Case Studies | |
| 10:45-11:45 AM BRT | AI for Forestry Case Study – Carlos Souza Jr., Imazon |
| 12:00-01:00 PM BRT | AI for Biodiversity Case Study – Gabriel Nunes, GainForest.Earth |
| Foundation Lecture | |
| 2:00-3:00 PM BRT | Overview of Other AI-for-climate Applications – Nikola Milojevic-Dupont, Climate Change AI |
| 4:00-5:00 PM BRT | Practical Challenges and Best Practices – Maria João Sousa, Climate Change AI |
Day 5 - Friday, October 17, 2025
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 8:00-8:15 AM BRT | Closing and Outlook – Priya Donti, Climate Change AI and MIT |
| 8:15-9:00 AM BRT | Participant Feedback Discussion |
| Lab Visits | |
| 9:30 AM-12:00 PM BRT | Lab Visits |
Organization
Realization
Team: Celina Beatriz Bottino (ITS Rio), Priya Donti (Climate Change AI), Renata Guedes (ITS Rio), Nikola Milojevic-Dupont (Climate Change AI), Maria João Sousa (Climate Change AI), Fabro Steibel (ITS Rio)
Hosting partner
Team: Nei Oliveira (PCT Guamá), José Bonifácio Sena (PCT Guamá)
Institutional support
Team: Pedro Ivo Ferraz da Silva (Brazillian Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Itamaraty)
Funding support
ClimateWorks Foundation, Open Society Foundations and Salesforce