AI for weather and climate preparedness: From European vision to real-world impact

The 2024 State of the Climate report highlighted that Europe is the fastest-warming continent on the planet, with tens of millions of citizens having suffered directly from extreme weather-related crises – both in urban and rural environments.  Adapting to and mitigating the risks of climate change continues to remain an existential necessity. 

Cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies are increasingly vital to the EU’s efforts to stem the tide and support its nations and regions in coping with new realities and threats. The European Commission in particular is leveraging a number of flagship initiatives – including Destination Earth (DestinE), AI Factories, EuroHPC and national programmes – to strengthen Europe's preparedness and resilience to climate change and extreme weather events, while boosting its digital sovereignty and strategic autonomy. 

Against this backdrop, on October 2 ECMWF is organising a high-level, half-day public conference in Brussels – with the support of the Commission’s digital directorate (DG CNECT) and in partnership with Science|Business – to showcase latest advances in the field and to discuss the fast-evolving role of AI in building climate resilience. In this regard, the event will be of particular relevance and benefit to the following groups:

• 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