IRCAI hosted the AI Infrastructure Governance Symposium at the Jožef Stefan Institute in Ljubljana in June. The event brought together researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to discuss the governance challenges arising from the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence infrastructure and its implications for sustainable development.
The symposium presented the latest results of a European Union–Latin America and Caribbean (EU–LAC) collaboration focused on aligning artificial intelligence, high-performance computing (HPC), data centres, and digital infrastructure with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Participants explored advanced AI-enabled visualisation tools designed to assess the impact of AI and data-centre infrastructure on SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure). The presented tools integrated technical indicators, policy intelligence, scientific evidence, and media monitoring to identify environmental, regulatory, geopolitical, and cybersecurity risks associated with the expansion of AI infrastructure. The initiative contributes to the development of internationally interoperable governance standards and best practices that support sustainable, resilient, and sovereign AI ecosystems aligned with SDGs 7, 9, 12, and 13.
The programme also addressed the growing relationship between AI infrastructure and urban development through the perspective of SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). Speakers examined how hyperscale AI data centres are increasingly influencing energy systems, environmental sustainability, and urban planning, creating new governance challenges for cities. The discussions highlighted the importance of responsible AI governance in promoting digital sovereignty, human rights, social inclusion, environmental responsibility, and urban resilience.
The symposium was opened by Irena Gril from the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia. Monika Kropej (IRCAI) presented the EU–LAC Digital Alliance initiative, followed by a keynote lecture by João Paulo Veiga (CIAAM/USP, Brazil), who discussed EU–LAC collaboration on AI infrastructure, capacity building, and sustainable AI development. Maša Kovič Dine (University of Ljubljana) explored responsible AI governance in support of human rights and sustainable urban development, while Teresa H. Barros (CIAAM/USP, Brazil) presented the opportunities and challenges related to AI infrastructure and data centres in Brazil. The programme continued with presentations by Dragi Kocev (SLAIF, Jožef Stefan Institute) on AI Factories and Europe’s AI capacity, and João Pita Costa (IRCAI) on the ELIAS – European Lighthouse of AI for Sustainability initiative.
The symposium provided an interdisciplinary platform for exchanging knowledge and strengthening international cooperation on AI infrastructure governance. Through dialogue between academia, policymakers, industry, and international organisations, participants explored pathways for developing governance frameworks that enable responsible AI infrastructure while advancing sustainable development and safeguarding environmental and societal interests.
