IEEE WOMEN IN ENGINEERING AFFINITY GROUP - PANEL - OCTOBER 24, 2025
Empowering Sustainability through AI: Balancing Innovation and Environmental Responsibility
As the world tries to face pressing environmental challenges, the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) with sustainability has emerged as a critical strategy for mitigating these issues. The potential of AI has a great potential in driving the progress toward a more sustainable future, from optimizing resource usage to predicting environmental disasters.
This panel will explore the transformative role of AI in enhancing sustainability across different environmental domains. In this context, AI can be applied in a variety of situations, for instance to protect marine ecosystems, mitigate pollution, preserve endangered habitats, and improve the living conditions of local communities. On the other hand, it is also crucial to examine the environmental footprint of AI itself, including energy consumption and e-waste generation, and discuss strategies for making AI systems more sustainable.
This panel is organized and sponsored by IEEE Women In Engineering (WIE) Affinity Group of the IEEE Italy Section: hence, a key objective is also to highlight innovative research conducted by women working in research, engineering and STEM disciplines. Indeed, a more sustainable world is inextricably linked to a more equitable and inclusive one, where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and contribute to the environmental protection.
Researchers and scientists interested in taking part in the panel are invited to submit their work to Thematic Session #34 “Empowering Sustainability through AI: Balancing Innovation and Environmental Responsibility” (for more info: https://metroxraine.org/thematic-session-34).
ORGANIZED BY
Valentina Bello
Valentina Bello
University of Pavia, Italy
Patrizia Lamberti
Patrizia Lamberti
University of Salerno, IEEE WiE Italy Section, Italy
Loredana Cristaldi
Loredana Cristaldi
Politecnico di Milano, Italy
PANELISTS
Measuring the Environmental Impact of Artificial Intelligence: Balancing Performance and Sustainability to Achieve Green AI
Immacolata Esposito, PhD Candidate in Information and Communication Technology for Health at the University of Naples Federico II
Immacolata Esposito earned her M.S. degree (cum laude) in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Naples Federico II, Italy, in 2023. She is currently pursuing her second year of Ph.D. studies in Information and Communication Technology for Health at the same institution.
Her research is focused on Digital Transition within the context of Health 5.0. She specializes in developing sustainability metrics for ICT systems, AI workflows, and healthcare models, with the goal of balancing sustainability and system performance. Her work aims to integrate digital solutions to enhance healthcare delivery while promoting sustainable practices.
Artificial Intelligence and the Ocean: Science, Creativity, and Human Connection
From science to imagination, AI can reconnect us with the living world and inspire collective responsibility
Rosalia Maglietta, Senior Researcher, National Research Council, Institute of Intelligent Industrial Technologies and Systems for Advanced Manufacturing
Driven by the belief that artificial intelligence can be a powerful ally in protecting life on Earth, Rosalia Maglietta envisions a future where science, creativity, and collective intelligence come together to regenerate the planet and human well-being. Her research bridges AI, marine ecosystems, and society, developing intelligent systems to monitor and protect oceans and the life it sustains, while exploring how technology can amplify human awareness and responsibility.
She has co-authored over 100 scientific publications and serves as editor for leading international journals. Her work and vision have been presented on global stages, from major scientific forums to international initiatives, highlighting how AI, when guided with vision and care, can reconnect humanity with the living world and inspire new paths toward a sustainable future.
