EBDVF 2023: the future of Data and AI for a sustainable Europe

From 25-27 October, Valencia hosted the European Big Data Value Forum (EBDVF) 2023 and at the heart of the event was the theme “Data and AI in action: Sustainable impact and future realities”. With over 600 participants, the forum was the meeting place for researchers, policy-makers and industry professionals driving positive change in business and society.

EBDVF 2023 brought together the European data-driven AI community, highlighting the importance of a unified European approach to data and AI innovations. The forum was not only about presentations and discussions. It offered a platform to collaborate and form future partnerships. Here are some key takeaways after three days at EBDVF:

• AI and Data bring changes to business and society: The EBDVF 2023 highlighted the transformative impact of AI and data on the European business landscape — additionally, the broader community benefits from enhanced insights and decision-making capabilities made possible by these technologies. 

• World-class research for industrial competitiveness: The future of industries relies heavily on cutting-edge research. By investing in world-class research initiatives, industries can remain at the forefront of innovation. Furthermore, such research paves the way for breakthroughs that can redefine industry standards.

1. Sustainable future: The discussions at EBDVF 2023 emphasized the role of AI and data in addressing challenges related to sustainability. The emphasis on sustainability in research and innovation projects, especially in developing technology platforms, underscores the commitment to a sustainable future. AI and Data for Europe cannot be considered in isolation from the twin transitions, the climate crisis, and the key strategic pillars of sustainable, resilient, and regenerative action.
2. Co-create new projects and leverage their value: Co-creation is the essence of modern innovation. By collaborating on new projects, organizations can pool resources, expertise, and perspectives. This leads to more holistic and effective solutions. Leveraging the value of these projects means not just implementing them but also scaling, refining, and adapting them for maximum impact.

Martel’s contribution to EBDVF 2023

Martel’s active participation in the event showcased our commitment to advancing data and AI innovations. Martel’s presence at the event was marked by insightful sessions and presence in the exhibition space. 

TEADAL project organised a session about the importance of preserving data privacy, enhancing transparency, and fostering collaboration across diverse data actors. With the LEADS project, Martel delved into the pressing need for bridging the digital skills gap. As AI and Data continue to revolutionize business landscapes and societal frameworks, the LEADS workshop highlighted the urgency to equip the future workforce with advanced digital skills. The convergence of the INCODE and TARDIS projects at EBDVF 2023 reinforced Europe’s determination to develop sustainable heterogeneous swarm systems across the computing continuum. Diving into the Metaverse, Martel’s 6G-XR and OpenVerse projects highlighted the path towards immersive virtual worlds and Extended Reality (XR) services. In the exhibition space, LEADS and ARCADIAN-IoT made their presence felt through dedicated booths.

BDVA Task Force on Sustainable Big Data and AI

At EBDVF, Dr. Monique Calisti, Martel CEO and president and founder of Digital for Planet announced the plans to set up the BDVA Task Force on sustainable Big Data and AI. 

“We believe that the great promises and challenges of AI and Data for Europe cannot be considered in isolation from the twin transitions, the climate crisis, and the key strategic pillars of sustainable, resilient, and regenerative action. BDVA is perfectly positioned to drive discussion, proposals, and outreach on this topic, and we as members can be at the core of it through a new Task Force on Sustainable Big Data and AI”, said Dr. Calisti. 

Dr. Calisti announced the plans for an online meeting to gather interest and potential input for this task force while presenting the vision and the main objectives, framing the planned efforts within the broader EU Green Deal context and several other European and international initiatives.