#TSEP 235 AI Needs Energy Justice: Who Gets Left Behind in the Race for Power?

“Every solar panel is also a gateway to digital justice,” says
Payel Farasat. But what does AI have to do with renewable energy?
More than we think. AI is not neutral—it reflects our networks,
our data, and our values.


By 2050, one in four people on Earth will be African. Yet nearly
600 million people in sub-Saharan Africa still live without
electricity.


The next wave of AI inclusion will not be driven by new models in
Silicon Valley – it will be driven by access to renewable energy
in schools, clinics, and communities around the world.


In our latest episode of The smarter E podcast, Payel Farasat
explains why energy justice is the foundation for digital justice
– and why Europe's leadership in renewable energy can become a
global bridge.


About Payel Farasat


Payel Farasat began her career in Silicon Valley, managing
billions of dollars – and then made a conscious decision to
pursue a different path: impact investing. She is an impact
capital strategist and U.S. market expansion
advisor. A former Silicon Valley asset manager, she has
overseen $18B in global portfolios. Chief Growth Advisor,
FINCA International & FINCA Ventures, she now focuses on
aligning catalytic investment with social impact, energy access,
and gender equity. FINCA has upheld an unwavering commitment
to ending global poverty through sustainable solutions that
change lives. At FINCA International and FINCA Ventures, she
advises on deploying capital into early-stage entrepreneurs
across Africa, building resilience where energy and digital
access are scarce.