William Babis

William Babis serves as an Associate Scientist at SEI US, where he conducts data-driven research at the nexus of land use and climate change.

At SEI, William has played a central role in several significant projects across energy, food systems, and AI. On the energy front, William co-developed SEI’s “Anajia Guajira”: a data and communication mobile platform for local communities navigating an influx of prospective renewable energy development on Indigenous lands in Colombia. He has used GIS to evaluate the socio-ecological impacts of proposed energy projects in sub-Saharan Africa. He has also co-facilitated events convening key international stakeholders to overcome finance barriers to renewable energy deployment.

As a key contributor to SEI’s AI Task Force, William also developed AI-powered research tools, co-authored peer-reviewed publications using these tools to evaluate energy policy landscapes, helped shape the organization’s strategy for ethical use of AI, and published research on the geopolitical implications of AI’s environmental footprint. He is also the main contributor to several food systems projects including as technical lead of The Food Systems NDC Scorecard and the data analyst for deforestation mapping in Malawi.

Prior to joining SEI, William was co-founder of a machine-learning startup and then served as a climate data analyst at NASA, IFPRI, and Resources for the Future. He has an M.S. in Environmental Economics & Public Policy from The Fletcher School at Tufts University as well as a B.S. in Computer Science from Boston College.