The Humber Opportunity: AI for Net Zero, Net Zero for AI

The Humber is one of the UK’s most important industrial regions and one of its biggest Net Zero opportunities. Home to the nation’s largest port complex and major energy, manufacturing, chemical, healthcare, and logistics sectors, it offers a powerful real-world setting for AI deployment at scale.

This event will explore how AI can accelerate decarbonisation across these sectors, while also advancing a second agenda of growing importance: ensuring AI itself is energy-aware, efficient, and aligned with Net Zero goals. Bringing together industry, policymakers, and researchers, the forum will identify practical opportunities, barriers to adoption, and the partnerships needed to position the Humber as a leading region for both AI for Net Zero and Net Zero for AI.

For industry, this creates a clear opportunity. The Humber offers a powerful testbed for high-impact AI applications in industrial decarbonisation, logistics optimisation, energy forecasting, carbon monitoring, and infrastructure management. At the same time, it is the right place to shape the next generation of sustainable AI: models, systems, and digital infrastructure that deliver value while reducing energy demand and environmental impact.

This forum will explore where AI can drive measurable industrial and environmental gains, what barriers are slowing adoption, and how the Humber can secure the partnerships, investment, and visibility needed to lead in both AI for Net Zero and Net Zero for AI.

The event begins at noon with a joint Lunch with event participants from CATCH's morning event: There will also be a showcase on Net Zero for AI and AI for Net Zero Solutions from the University of Hull and other organisations, followed by guest speakers from industry and academia and a panel discussion.