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AI in the Geosciences conference

04 - 05 June 2026 09:30 - 18:00 Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BG and virtual

04 - 05 June 2026 | 09:30 - 18:00 | Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BG and virtual

The inaugural AI in the Geosciences conference is a new hybrid event aimed at researchers, industry professionals, students, policy makers, and all those with an interest in responsible innovation. The meeting will explore how artificial intelligence, machine learning, and big data are transforming the geosciences, while also addressing the critical ethical, educational, and policy challenges that come with these technologies.
 
The programme is designed to encourage contributions from a wide range of stakeholders, combining traditional scientific presentations with community updates, hosted panel discussions and workshops The meeting will showcase cutting-edge AI-based tools, illustrating how the community can derive benefit from their application to real geoscience problems. The event will also provide a network for professional development and opportunities for collaboration across disciplines.

  • Developments and opportunities within AI and machine learning
  • Data integration, interpretation and automation using AI tools
  • Open data and collaborative development of AI tools
  • Considering ethics, bias and transparency in implementing AI and machine learning
  • Policy considerations for future AI development
  • Importance / use of AI in geoscience education

  • Dr David Hodgetts – Founder, VRGeoscience Ltd
  • Prof Paul Cleverly – Founder, Infoscience Technologies Ltd; Visiting Professor of Information Science & Technology, Robert Gordon University, UK
  • Prof Cedric John – Professor & Head of Data Science for the Environment and Sustainability, Digital Science Research Institute (DERI), Queen Mary University of London, UK
  • Dr Silvia Peppoloni – Researcher, National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV), Rome, Italy; Chair/Director, International Association for Promoting Geoethics (IAPG)
  • Dr Giuseppe di Capua – Senior Technologist, National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV), Rome, Italy; Secretary General, International Association for Promoting Geoethics (IAPG)

Keynotes

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Can AI discover a new oil field? Practical applications of AI for subsurface evaluation

Karen Heyburn, Halliburton

Karen is a Principal Geoscience Advisor at Halliburton Landmark, where she leads and advises on the application of AI and advanced analytics across geoscience and exploration workflows. She has 20 years of experience in the oil and gas industry, spanning regional and basin scale play evaluation, subsurface interpretation, product management, and digital transformation. Karen has worked at the intersection of geoscience expertise and technology development, helping teams translate emerging digital capabilities into practical, value driven solutions. She holds a degree in Natural Sciences from the University of Cambridge and a PhD in structural geology from the University of Oxford.

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At the Axis: Orienting AI in the Geosciences Toward the Public Good

David Leslie, Queen Mary, University of London

David Leslie is Director of Ethics and Responsible Innovation Research at The Alan Turing Institute and Professor of Ethics, Technology and Society at Queen Mary University of London. He previously taught at Princeton’s University Center for Human Values, Yale’s programme in Ethics, Politics and Economics and at Harvard’s Committee on Degrees in Social Studies, where he received over a dozen teaching awards including the 2014 Stanley Hoffman Prize for Teaching Excellence. He is the author of the UK's National Public Sector AI Ethics and Safety Guidance (2019) and principal architect of the Council of Europe's HUDERIA framework, adopted as part of the Council of Europe AI Convention in November 2024 and piloted with over 30 governments and international organisations. He has also chaired the UNESCO High-Level Expert Group on Ecosystem-Level AI Governance and served as Specialist Advisor to the Council of Europe's Committee on Artificial Intelligence. He has advised the G7 Hiroshima AI Process, the UN AI High-Level Advisory Body, and the World Bank's World Development Report. He is Founding Editor of AI and Ethics (Springer) and Associate Editor of the Harvard Data Science Review.

Gold Sponsors

A black-and-white geometric logo composed of four symmetrical arrow‑like shapes arranged around a central square, followed by the word “FABRIQ” in bold, modern uppercase lettering.
Logo featuring the word “Terra” in bold black lettering, with the letters “AI” in smaller black text to the upper right. Above the text is a stylised graphic of three parallel curved lines in gradient blue tones, merging at the centre and extending outward on both sides.
GeoScienceWorld logo featuring a circular blue icon with curved white and light‑blue layered lines resembling geological strata, followed by the text “GeoScienceWorld” in blue.

Silver Sponsor

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Bronze Sponsor

Logo featuring an overlapping multicoloured circular shape on the left, followed by the word “iraya” in orange lowercase letters, with the tagline “read the earth better

Showcase your commitment to advancing cutting-edge science, align with sustainable energy transition goals and bolster your Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) commitments. We understand that each organisation has unique objectives, and we welcome the opportunity to tailor bespoke packages to meet your specific needs.

For more information, please get in touch: sponsorship@geolsoc.org.uk 

In-person fees

Fellow £205

Non-Fellow £345

Student Member £40

Student Non-Member £80

Speaker (Fellow) £205

Speaker (Non-Fellow) £215

Speaker (Student Member) £40

Speaker (Student Non-Member) £70

Retired Fellow £205

Virtual fees

Fellow £95

Non-Fellow £155

Student Member £0

Student Non-Member £30

Speaker (Fellow) £90

Speaker (Non-Fellow) £120

Speaker (Student Member) £0

Speaker (Student Non-Member) £25

Retired Fellow £90

Corporate Patron discounts

We offer discounted rates for employee of companies that are part of our Corporate Patron programme, please email conference@geolsoc.org.uk for more information.

Group discounts

5–9 delegates: 10% off
10–14 delegates: 15% off
15 delegates or more: 20% off

Please contact conference@geolsoc.org.uk for any group bookings.

We offer discounted rates for those in developing countries. Please email conference@geolsoc.org.uk for more information