SE4GD: Software Engineering for a Green Deal

From July 1 to July 5, 2024, the University of Santiago de Compostela is hosting the ‘Software Engineering for Green Deal’ (SE4GD) Summer School, an in-person event organised by CiTIUS as part of the Erasmus Mundus master’s programme. Spearheaded by researcher Nelly Condori, the event aims to explore the intersection of software engineering, sustainability, and artificial intelligence (AI) to tackle pressing social challenges, thereby contributing to the European Green Deal's sustainability goals.

Responsible technology

The primary objective of the SE4GD 2024 Summer School is to leverage technological advancements in software engineering and integrate these with sustainability principles in the development of AI-based systems. The goal is to empower participants to create innovative solutions that not only drive technological progress but also promote positive impacts on the environmental, economic, social, and individual dimensions of software sustainability.

The event kicked off on Monday, July 1, with a welcome and opening session led by Jari and Nelly, followed by an academic lecture by Silverio Martínez-Fernández. Throughout the week, participants will attend various lectures and workshops, including:

• Academic Lectures: Experts such as Oresti Banos, Lene Sørensen, Alejandro Catalá Bolos, and Marcos Fernández will present their research on integrating sustainability into software development.
• Industry Talks: Representatives from companies like Datalife, Inditex, and Neurologyca, including Lucía Castro Díaz, Adrián González Sieira, and Juan Graña, will share how their organisations are implementing sustainable practices in their technological processes.
• Hackathon: A notable activity is the hackathon to be held at the School of Engineering (ETSE), where participants will work in teams to develop innovative solutions to real-world problems.

The event also features thesis presentation sessions, industry-academia discussion panels, and a social programme that encourages interaction among students, including the celebration of a sporting event and a guided cultural visit to the Cidade da Cultura. The summer school will conclude with a closing ceremony and a gala dinner on Friday, July 5, where achievements will be recognised and professional networking will be encouraged among attendees.

Social impact

By integrating sustainability principles into the development of AI systems, the SE4GD 2024 Summer School aims to foster the creation of technologies that are not only advanced but also environmentally responsible and socially beneficial. This holistic approach seeks to balance technological advancement with the need for sustainability, addressing global challenges comprehensively.

For more information about the programme and activities of the SE4GD 2024 Summer School, visit the official event website.