Held annually in Dubai since 1981, GITEX (Gulf Information Technology Exhibition) is one of the world's largest exhibitions dedicated to information technology, digital innovation, and now AI. After expanding to Marrakech in 2023 with GITEX Africa, GITEX EUROPE x Ai Everything took place in Berlin from May 21 to 23, focusing on sustainable innovation during its closing day.
The event, held at Messe Berlin, brought together more than 1,400 exhibitors, 750 startups, 600 investors, and 500 speakers from over 100 countries.
An Ecological and Economic Challenge
With more than 50% of its electricity now coming from renewable sources, Europe has reached a symbolic milestone. However, according to the European Commission, it faces an investment deficit of 350 billion euros annually to meet its carbon neutrality commitments by 2050.
The Green Digital Action Summit, co-organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the German Environment Agency (UBA), highlighted the role of AI and Big Data, the importance of common standards, adapted regulations, and collective governance of digital infrastructures to ensure climate commitments are met.
AI: Between Climate Promise and Energy Cost
According to some estimates, AI could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 5 to 10%, equivalent to the total European emissions. Through smart grids, advanced energy forecasts, and optimized infrastructure management, it could become the "operating system" of renewable energies, stabilizing and orchestrating distributed resources. However, its own carbon footprint, especially related to data centers, raises questions about the sustainability of its deployment.
Dirk Messner, president of UBA, emphasized that digital innovation and AI must be used intelligently to support the energy transition without exacerbating energy consumption.
Investments Shift Towards Green Energy
The GITEX Green Impact program highlighted the growing interest of investors in solutions at the crossroads of energy transition and digital innovation. Funds like SET Ventures or Future Energy Ventures are betting on a new generation of AI startups focused on smart energy resource management. This shift marks a notable evolution: "climate tech" is no longer limited to clean energy production but now extends to optimization tools, predictive analysis, and automated management.
Towards a Systemic Architecture of Transition
Several speakers stressed the importance of a systemic approach, where energy transition is not treated in silos but considered as an interdependent whole. The alignment between public policies, technological tools, skills training, and open data sharing appears as a central lever.
GITEX EUROPE 2025 laid the foundations for a roadmap for Europe's energy transition, driven not only by technology but by the coordination of stakeholders, capital allocation, and regulation of uses.