Title:
AI for Biodiversity Conservation
Biodiversity conservation is at a critical juncture, requiring innovative solutions to safeguard fragile ecosystems. Artificial Intelligence (AI) presents a transformative approach to overcoming traditional challenges in species identification and ecosystem monitoring. This keynote explores the integration of AI-driven computer vision techniques in biodiversity conservation, focusing on the digitization and automated classification of flora and fauna.
Through projects like ForestEye, InsectEye, and Plantify, AI has been leveraged to classify animal images from camera traps, identify insect species from archived specimens, and categorize plant species from herbarium collections. The application of AI in these areas addresses critical limitations such as the declining pool of taxonomic experts, time-intensive manual identification processes, and accessibility constraints in remote forest ecosystems.
This initiative demonstrates how AI can enhance conservation efforts by streamlining data collection, improving classification accuracy, and creating permanent digital records for future research. The collaboration between researchers, technologists, and conservationists enables AI-driven biodiversity conservation can be scaled for greater environmental impact. The future of biodiversity preservation lies in the synergy between cutting-edge technology and ecological stewardship, ensuring the sustainability of our planet’s natural heritage.
Ts, Phd, MBCS, FMIOASD, AMEI
Saraswathy Shamini Gunasekaran is an esteemed senior lecturer, and Director of the Institute of Informatics and Computing in Energy (IICE) at Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN), bringing over 20 years of expertise in academia, research, and innovation. Her contributions span key fields such as Artificial Intelligence, Smart Energy Systems, and Intelligent Digitalization, with a focus on applying these technologies to real-world challenges that benefit both Malaysia and the broader global community. Her leadership in pioneering research, curriculum development, and mentoring students has solidified her reputation as a vital contributor to national growth in digital and sustainable energy solutions. In her role as a research leader, Dr. Shamini has driven significant projects that align with national priorities in sustainable development and technological advancement. She spearheaded the Predictive Analytics Model for Proactive Resource Planning, an advanced analytics system developed in collaboration with UNITEN, aimed at optimizing resource allocation and enhancing decision-making in energy management—a project that has influenced resource efficiency on a national scale. Additionally, she contributed to a high-impact project on Risk Assessment for Digital Image Correlation in Tunnel Monitoring, which enhances the stability and safety of infrastructure critical to Malaysia’s urban and rural development, furthering resilience in the face of climate challenges. Her expertise in data analytics and AI has also been instrumental in projects such as Data Mining for Customer Default Prediction for Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), a project that leveraged machine learning to predict customer payment behaviors, thus supporting Malaysia’s national energy provider in achieving improved operational efficiency and customer service. Dr. Shamini has also led initiatives focused on advancing educational tools, including a project on Creative Experience Through Graphical Media Tools, aimed at enhancing digital engagement and media literacy among students, reflecting her commitment to advancing Malaysia’s educational standards and digital readiness. As a subject matter expert for the Smart University Initiative in Melaka, Dr. Shamini has been actively involved in shaping the strategic direction for Melaka’s transformation into a digital learning hub. Working with Melaka ICT Holdings, she has contributed to the development of the Melaka Edu Leader program, bringing her expertise in smart education to design innovative solutions for digital learning, resource management, and enhanced student engagement. This role underscores her commitment to applying intelligent digitalization to enrich Malaysia’s educational landscape, ensuring that universities remain relevant and impactful in an increasingly digital world.In her current role as Chairman overseeing the Eco-Labeling Policy for Data Centers for SIRIM, Dr. Shamini leads efforts to establish national standards for sustainable data center operations. This eco-labeling initiative aims to reduce environmental impacts, improve energy efficiency, and promote sustainable practices within the technology sector. Her leadership in this capacity reflects her dedication to advancing Malaysia’s environmental goals by guiding the creation of green policies that align with international standards, ensuring that data centers adopt practices that are both technologically advanced and ecologically responsible. Dr. Shamini has also been an active voice in public discourse on climate change and smart city development through several newspaper publications. Her articles, such as “Mitigating Climate Change: Let’s Build Smart Cities” (published on June 28, 2023, across MalaysiaKini, Life News Agency, and ASEAN News Today), and “Smart Cities = Cooler Climate” in The Star on June 30, 2023, advocate for the integration of sustainable and intelligent solutions to address urban climate challenges. Additionally, her piece “Keeping Cool with Smart Cities” appeared in The New Straits Times on July 1, 2023, followed by “Smart Cities Could Well Be Our Chance in Tackling Climate Change” on Apa Khabar TV? on July 2, 2023. These publications underscore her commitment to raising awareness and inspiring action on climate resilience and smart infrastructure.
Title:
The Convergence of Smart Computing and Energy Informatics for a Sustainable Future
The rapid advancements in smart computing and informatics are reshaping industries, accelerating digital transformation, and driving sustainability efforts. As artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and data-driven decision-making become more sophisticated, they are unlocking new possibilities in energy informatics, smart grids, and renewable energy management. This keynote explores how the convergence of AI, edge computing, and intelligent automation is revolutionizing energy systems, optimizing resource utilization, and enhancing resilience against climate challenges.
A key focus is the role of AI-powered energy informatics in shaping self-healing grids, carbon reduction strategies, and smart infrastructure. As digital transformation deepens, organizations must embrace AI-driven leadership, ethical governance, and sustainable computing to navigate challenges such as data privacy, cybersecurity, and AI bias.
This talk will present emerging trends, real-world applications, and future trajectories for integrating smart computing with sustainability initiatives. By aligning technology with environmental and economic goals, we can foster a sustainable, intelligent, and data-driven future. The session will highlight key research insights, case studies, and innovative frameworks that can empower industries to leverage AI for a greener, more efficient world.
Keywords: Smart Computing, Energy Informatics, AI, IoT, Sustainable Computing, Smart Grids, Digital Leadership.