AI & IoT for Biodiversity at the European Parliament

One of the most unique projects I've worked on was the Brussels Biodiversity Garden — a real, living garden operating inside the European Government Affairs building adjacent to the European Parliament.

A Living Demo

This wasn't a screen with charts. It was an actual garden environment — plants, soil, sensors, weather stations, solar panels, and video cameras — all running inside a building where government ministers, cabinet officials, visiting dignitaries, and lobbyists walk past every day.

The garden showcased Microsoft AI, IoT, and Azure technologies in the most tangible way possible: by demonstrating how these solutions benefit customers while simultaneously supporting ecosystems.

The Technology

A custom web application provided real-time garden data from:

• Soil sensors monitoring moisture, pH, and nutrient levels
• Weather stations tracking temperature, humidity, and light
• Solar panels powering the system and demonstrating renewable energy integration
• Video cameras with AI models monitoring biodiversity activity

Remote equipment maintenance ensured continuous demo availability — because when a cabinet minister stops by unannounced, the demo needs to be running.

Why It Mattered

The Brussels Biodiversity Garden reached an audience that most technology companies struggle to access: European policymakers. It demonstrated that AI and IoT aren't just business tools — they're instruments for environmental stewardship. And it did so in a setting that made the point impossible to ignore.