European Big Value Data Forum (+”Data and AI for sustainable, human-centric Virtual Worlds” workshop)

The European Big Data Value Forum (EBDVF) brings together industry professionals, business developers, researchers and policy-makers from all over Europe and other regions of the world to advance policy actions and industrial and research activities in the areas of Data and AI.

The EBDVF 2024 is organised by the Big Data Value Association (BDVA), in collaboration with AI&AUT EXPO, Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE), Ideal-ist, Neumann Technology Platform and the Institute for Computer Science and Control (SZTAKI). 

“Data and AI for sustainable, human-centric Virtual Worlds” workshop | October 4 | 9-10am

Data and AI are core pillars of human-centric (fit for people) and sustainable Virtual Worlds. Data provides the foundation for understanding user behaviour, preferences, and needs. By analysing this data, developers can create virtual environments that are more engaging and tailored to users’ needs and expectations. AI can use predictive analytics to anticipate future trends and behaviours. This helps in designing virtual worlds that are more personalised and appealing and can adapt to changing user needs and environmental conditions, ensuring long-term sustainability. In particular, AI algorithms can help optimise the use of resources, such as computing power and energy, making Virtual Worlds more efficient and reducing their negative environmental impact.  

However, to realise this potential, several challenges must be addressed such as ensuring data privacy and security, addressing bias and fairness, managing high resource consumption, and achieving interoperability. Additionally, transparency and accountability in AI decision-making, scalability of solutions, and maintaining a user-centric design approach are critical hurdles. Overcoming these challenges requires a multidisciplinary approach that balances technical expertise with ethical considerations and user needs, which is one of the central drivers behind the OPENVERSE work. 

The “Data and AI for sustainable and human-centric Virtual Worlds” workshop aims to animate discussions to help explore and understand what are the main research, innovation, policy and regulatory challenges that the community at work on this front must face.  

Participants will be invited to discuss key challenges such as data protection, privacy, and the need for interoperability and open standards. The event aims to foster collaboration among policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers, contributing to the broader European strategy for a human-centric and sustainable digital transformation 

This event is a unique platform for sharing insights and shaping the future of Virtual Worlds in alignment with the broader goals of the OPENVERSE project.

Participants and speakers

• OPENVERSE consortium participants
  – Monique Calisti | Martel – Moderator of the workshop
  – Lukasz Porwol | Leader at eGov Unit, Insight Centre for Data Analytics – Expert Panellist
  – Julien Adelberger | International Data Spaces Association – Expert Panellist
  – Alessandro Paciaroni | The Lisbon Council – Expert Panellist
  
  
• Andrea Bravo | AR/MR/VR Specialist Metaverse Data & Ethics – External Panellist
• Joaquín Salvachúa | Universidad Politecnica de Madrid – External Panellist
  
  
• Policymakers
  – Anne Bajart | Head of Unit for Interactive Technologies, European Commission

Agenda

Opening session 
– Welcome and introduction | Monique Calisti (Martel) 

Panel discussion 
– AI and Data for VWs – Main Challenges and Priorities  | Moderator: Monique Calisti (Martel)

Interactive session 
– Q&A session engaging the audience
– Wrap-up & conclusions

Why at EBDVF?  

EBDVF is an important event for the European R&I community embracing several initiatives and organisations that, among others, are directly engaged in paving the way to realise the Virtual Worlds and Web 4.0 vision and ambition. This event brings together major industry professionals, business developers, researchers and policymakers from all over Europe and beyond that at work on several aspects that are key to develop Virtual Worlds that are fit for people by design and that ensure a sustainable development of our society and economy. 

Several of the OPENVERSE experts and target groups (in terms of engagement across various project’s activities) will be at this event that has also a dedicated track titled “Virtual Worlds, Data Spaces and GenAI”. By organising a workshop at the EBDVF, the OPENVERSE Consortium aims to animate and engage in discussions with prominent players active in the development and deployment of AI and Data, to understand what the main challenges are to realise Virtual Worlds that are sustainable and fit for people, meaning accessible, open, inclusive, trustworthy and secure.  

For the full programme and tickets for this year’s edition of EBDVF please refer to the event’s official website: https://european-big-data-value-forum.eu/