The Earth beneath our feet: a new frontier for AI-powered energy
Ioannis Stefanou, new Hi! PARIS Chair-holder and Professor at ENSTA, is exploring how artificial intelligence can support the energy transition, starting with the Earth itself.
Can we harness the ground beneath our feet to power a more sustainable future?
For Ioannis Stefanou, the answer is yes, and the key lies in combining deep engineering expertise with artificial intelligence. As a Professor at ENSTA and the head of the Geomechanics group at IMSIA, Stefanou is developing new ways to unlock the underground as a source of clean energy and storage.
Now, with his appointment as a Hi! PARIS Chair-holder, he’s taking this work even further, bringing together AI, mechanics, and physics to build smarter and more sustainable energy systems.
From geothermal to hydrogen: exploring the potential below
Stefanou’s research focuses on technologies like deep geothermal energy, CO₂ and hydrogen storage, all of which could play a central role in tomorrow’s energy landscape. But their development requires precise scientific understanding and careful design.
“AI helps us explore and control complex underground systems,” he explains. “But we don’t rely on AI alone. We guide it with physical laws and human expertise.”
— Ioannis Stefanou, Hi! PARIS Chair Holder
This approach, known as physics-informed AI, ensures that machine learning models remain grounded in real-world behavior. It’s a way to build more transparent, explainable, and trustworthy systems that complement, rather than replace, scientific knowledge.
Where disciplines meet
Stefanou’s work sits at the intersection of mechanics, control theory, and AI, a space he sees as full of opportunity for innovation.
“Some of the most interesting ideas emerge when disciplines come together,” he says. “Hi! PARIS offers a dynamic environment where science, engineering, and data can truly interact. It’s an ideal place to collaborate across fields and move research into action.”
His own path reflects this interdisciplinarity: a PhD from the National Technical University of Athens, research leadership roles in Europe, and two ERC grants, including one currently underway.
A catalyst for sustainable innovation
At its core, Stefanou’s work supports the broader goal of sustainable development, creating new tools and models that help scientists and engineers make informed decisions about underground energy systems.
“AI is accelerating science in powerful ways,” he says. “Used carefully, it can help us better understand the Earth, design smarter systems, and contribute to a more sustainable energy future.”
With his appointment at Hi! PARIS, Ioannis Stefanou joins a growing community of researchers dedicated to using data and AI to serve society, from the ground up.
“It’s not about replacing what we know, it’s about expanding what we can do, together.”
— Ioannis Stefanou, Hi! PARIS Chair Holder