AI for Sustainability: Innovation, Policy, and Impact
January 21, 2026
An “AI for Sustainability: Innovation, Policy, and Impact” forum was held at New York University Abu Dhabi on January 21, 2026, convening stakeholders from academia, industry, and policy to examine the role of artificial intelligence in addressing sustainability and climate-related challenges. The forum was organized in collaboration with AmCham Abu Dhabi.
Discussions focused on the application of AI-driven technologies in sustainability initiatives, with particular attention to data-driven decision-making, climate resilience, and the development of policy frameworks that enable responsible innovation. Speakers highlighted the importance of cross-sector collaboration in translating technological advancements into scalable, long-term solutions.
The program included contributions from Lina El Labban Lampkin, Chairwoman of AmCham Abu Dhabi; Samer Najm, Co-Chair of AmCham Abu Dhabi’s Energy & Sustainability Committee; Maurice Pomerantz, Executive Director of the NYUAD Institute; and Antonios Vouloudis, Senior Director of Sustainability and Stewardship at NYU Abu Dhabi.
Additional perspectives were provided by Amro Zakaria, Director of Kyoto Network and CEO of Madarik Ventures; Harald Freissmuth, CEO of Group & Start-Ups and Lecturer in Executive Education for Sustainability at NYUAD; and Christen Bear, Co-Chair of AmCham Abu Dhabi’s Energy & Sustainability Committee.
The session was moderated by Yassin Y. Yassin, Co-Chair of AmCham Abu Dhabi’s Banking & Finance Working Group, and examined the intersection of intelligent systems, innovation policy, and resilient sustainability strategies. Participants also discussed regulatory considerations and the role of public-private collaboration in supporting the adoption of AI technologies aligned with sustainability goals.
Members of the AmCham Abu Dhabi community, including Zaheer Kaiser Anis, Board Treasurer, and Sana Bagersh, Senior Advisor, were among those in attendance.
The forum formed part of ongoing efforts to facilitate dialogue on emerging technologies and their impact on sustainability, policy development, and economic collaboration across the U.S.–UAE corridor.
