AI Regulation for Sustainability

Project Number:  uniri-iskusni-drustv-23-104
Start Date: May 6, 2024
End Date: May 6, 2025
Project Leader: Prof. Ana Pošćić, PhD
Contact: ana.poscic@pravri.uniri.hr 

The potential of artificial intelligence (AI) as a driver of sustainable development and a foundation of sustainable societies has been recognized in theory. Existing research shows that AI can contribute to, but also significantly hinder, the achievement of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Sustainable development is a fundamental principle, a priority objective, and a strategic orientation of all European Union policies, along with digitalization and a resilient single market. However, the use of AI presents numerous systemic risks that arise from complex interactions between humans, machines, and nature, particularly through the application of new AI-based technologies. In recent years, concepts such as “sustainable AI systems” and “AI for sustainability” have been developed in the academic discourse to highlight the interconnection between these areas, which demand a comprehensive and interdisciplinary research approach. It is essential to understand the fundamental principles of AI and to explore the social, environmental, and economic implications of such systems. This raises the question of whether general standards and ethical principles for the responsible use of AI systems are applicable in the context of sustainable development goals, and what intersections and contradictions require further clarification and research. The focus of this study is to systematize existing knowledge and conduct a meta-analysis, with the aim of laying the groundwork for a theoretical framework to guide regulatory intervention—ensuring that AI is developed and used in a socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable way that supports the green and digital transition.

Project Leader:
Prof. Ana Pošćić, PhD

Team Members:
Assoc. Prof. Adrijana Martinović, PhD
Assoc. Prof. Sandi Ljubić, PhD
Narda Krnetić Blečić, mag. iur.

Scientific Publications within the Project:

• Pošćić, Ana, The Intersection between Artificial Intelligence and Sustainability: Challenges and Opportunities. EU and Comparative Law Issues and Challenges Series (ECLIC), vol. 8., 2024. pp. 748–770.
• Martinović, Adrijana, Automated Decision-Making and Algorithmic Management: Implications of the CJEU’s SCHUFA (Scoring) Case for the EU Labour Law. In: Artificial Intelligence and Productivity: Challenges and Opportunities, Conference Proceedings of the 7th International Scientific Conference: Economics of Digital Transformation (EDT Conference 2024), edited by Saša Drezgić, Vesna Buterin, Nikolina Dukić Samaržija et al., Rijeka: University of Rijeka, Faculty of Economics and Business, 2025, pp. 1–21.

Organisation of Conference Panel

Panel Title: Sustainability and Artificial Intelligence through the Lens of EU Values and Principles

As part of the project activities, a dedicated panel was organized at a conference, focusing on the intersection of artificial intelligence and sustainability, with special emphasis on the values and principles of the European Union.

Izlaganja u okviru projekta:

• Krnetić Blečić, Narda. Energy Solidarity Beyond Borders: Legal and Strategic Dimensions in Supporting Energy Transition in Member States and EU Candidate Countries. Presented at the panel discussion “Cross-Border Energy Futures: Territories, Communities and Legal Pathways”, 12 June 2025, Brussels, DG REGIO, European Commission, Belgium

• Assoc. Prof. Adrijana Martinović, PhD, and Narda Krnetić Blečić, At the Crossroads of Sustainability: Shifting Priorities in EU Energy Law and Policy.
  Presented at the international scientific conference “Challenges, Opportunities and Policies for Sustainability in the European Union”,
  29–31 May 2025, Iaşi, Romania

• Prof. Ana Pošćić, PhD, and Assoc. Prof. Adrijana Martinović, PhD. The Intersection Between Artificial Intelligence and Sustainability: Moving from AI for Sustainability to Sustainable AI, Presented at the international scientific conference “Implementing European Law Principles in National Administrative Law”,
  Opatija, Rijeka, 17–18 February 2025

• Prof. Ana Pošćić, PhD, The Convergence Between Artificial Intelligence and Sustainability in the Context of Market Competition, Presented at the XVI Symposium “Law and Economics”, Law and Economics: Challenges of Artificial Intelligence,
  Maribor, 6 December 2024

• Prof. Ana Pošćić, PhD, Assoc. Prof. Adrijana Martinović, PhD, and Narda Krnetić Blečić, Exploring the “Digitainability” Potential of Sustainability Agreements under the Commission’s Guidelines on Horizontal Cooperation Agreements.
  Participation at the international scientific conference “ECL&CG Zagreb 2024” – 6th International Conference on European Company Law and Corporate Governance: New Era in Corporate Governance: Sustainability at Crossroads,
  Zagreb, 28–29 November 2024.

• Narda Krnetić Blečić, The Interpretation of EU Member States’ Right to Choose Energy Mix in the Context of Achieving SDGs, presented at the international scientific conference III ASCEA Conference,
  Budapest, 19–20 September 2024.

• Assoc. Prof. Adrijana Martinović, PhD, Automated Decision-Making and Algorithmic Management: Implications of the CJEU’s SCHUFA (Scoring) Case for the EU Labour Law,
  presented at the international scientific conference Economics of Digital Transformation 2024, 19–22 June 2024, Opatija, Croatia.

• Krnetić Blečić, Narda, Navigating Crises in European Union Law : Sustainable Solutions, Presentation held as part of the colloquium European Citizenship, organized by the Eugen Kumičić Gymnasium in Opatija, 4 June 2024

Participation in Workshops/Seminars within the Project:

• Narda Krnetić Blečić, participation at EUSEW 2025 – European Sustainable Energy Week Policy Conference, 10 -12 June 2025, Brussels, Belgium

• Narda Krnetić Blečić, participation at the Energy Law Summer School, held in Ljubljana on 12–13 September 2024, organized by the EU Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER), Faculty of Law, University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Public Administration, University of Ljubljana, and Faculty of Law, University of Trieste

• Narda Krnetić Blečić, mag. iur., participation at the PhD and postdoctoral course in methodology and project development within the fields of climate, energy, sustainability and environmental law, held on 28–29 August 2024 in Voss, Norway, organized by the Faculty of Law, University of Bergen

Research Stays within the Project:

• Doctoral candidate Narda Krnetić Blečić spent 105 days at the Faculty of Law, University of Maribor, conducting doctoral research as part of the project (3 January 2025 – 17 April 2025).
• Prof. Ana Pošćić, PhD spent one month in July 2024 at the Max Planck Institute for Comparative and International Private Law in Hamburg (Germany) as part of the project.