Recently, our very own Dr. Anna Aseeva, Digital for Planet’s Policy and Sustainability Expert, had the spotlight in Intangiblia, a Geneva-based podcast hosted by the international IP law expert Leticia Caminero. In the episode, titled “Sustainable by Code: Rethinking Tech Governance from IP to AI,” Anna and Leticia discussed how technology, policy, and sustainability can come together to shape a fair and responsible digital future.
Intangiblia is a hub for conversations on intellectual property, AI, and the evolving digital landscape. Anna’s contribution reflected Digital for Planet’s vision of digital sustainability, drawing connections between ethics, innovation, and impact.
Sustainability by Design
During the conversation, Anna emphasised the importance of designing sustainability into digital tools and systems from the very beginning, not as an afterthought. “If we want digital platforms and IP systems to support long-term sustainability,” she said, “we begin with design. Embedding sustainability principles from the start ensures that research, education, policy, and innovation align around tools built for lasting, ethical impact.”
This principle sits at the core of Digital for Planet’s work. Through collaborative research and innovation, Digital for Planet brings together experts from science, technology, policy, and business, along with the citizens, to create digital solutions that serve both people and the planet.
A Human Approach to Digital Innovation
In the podcast, Anna also discussed the need for interdisciplinary collaboration – something that Digital for Planet champions daily. “Law needs to embrace more collaboration between policy, ethics, innovation, and technology to keep pace with the rapid ethical and societal implications of digital innovation,” she noted.
This echoes Digital for Planet’s belief that digital transformation should be guided by humans AND human values. Whether addressing AI governance, data responsibility, or circular digital economy, the goal is the same: a safe, transparent, resilient, fairer, inclusive, and greener digital society.
From Governance to Possibility
Anna highlighted how law can be a tool for possibility, protection, and purpose. Instead of merely setting limits, legal frameworks can actively enable responsible innovation – from open licensing that encourages shared solutions to global challenges, to governance models that empower citizens to help shape digital policy.
As part of Digital for Planet’s ongoing European initiatives – such as enhancing environmental compliance by bridging the gap between local environmental data and EU/national regulation (ENFORCE); ensuring sustainable 6G ecosystems (6G4Society); and advancing trustworthy AI (CERTAIN) – these ideas translate into concrete action. Digital for Planet’s interdisciplinary teams work across Europe and beyond to ensure that future networks and technologies support environmental responsibility, inclusivity, and value-based innovation.
A Vision for the Future
The Intangiblia episode closed with Anna’s forward-looking message: the future of technology doesn’t have to be cold or chaotic, it can be thoughtful, fair, and full of opportunity.
For us, that means continuing to bridge the gap between digital innovation and sustainability, fostering ecosystems where technology evolves with purpose, transparency, and respect for our values and our shared home, Earth.
