Photo Album: EU-Korea AI & Energy Seminar at the World Climate Industry Expo, Busan, 27 August 2025

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to reshape global industries, its impact on energy systems presents both transformative opportunities and pressing challenges. According to the International Energy Agency, data centres alone consumed approximately 415 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity in 2024—around 1.5% of global consumption. This figure is projected to more than double by 2030, reaching 945 TWh, surpassing the current electricity usage of countries such as Japan.

Against this backdrop, the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Korea hosted the high-level seminar, “AI & Energy: Delivering EU and Korea’s Digital and Green Ambitions”, held on 27 August 2025 at the World Climate Industry Expo (WCE) in BEXCO, Busan. The seminar convened 90 leaders from government, industry, and academia to explore collaborative pathways for the EU and Korea to harness AI in optimizing energy systems, while ensuring that the energy demands of AI technologies are met sustainably.

Distinguished speakers included:

• Ditte Juul Jørgensen, Director-General for Energy, European Commission
• Mika Nykänen, State Secretary to Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, and Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, Finland
• Michel Heijdra, Vice Minister of Climate Policy and Green Growth, Netherlands