The European Big Data Value Forum (EBDVF) 2024 took place on October 2-4 in Budapest, gathering key players in the AI and Data Spaces landscape. This year’s discussions revolved around AI Factories, data sovereignty, and sustainable innovation, topics central to Martel Innovate’s ongoing projects. Martel was thrilled to join industry leaders, academics, and policymakers, actively contributing to defining Europe’s competitive edge in AI and related domains.
The event laid the foundation for Europe’s Data and AI strategy, emphasising collaboration, high-quality data access, and the networking of AI Factories. Key topics included the role of AI Factories in the European ecosystem, EuroHPC’s advancements in supercomputing, and the integration of Digital Innovation Hubs and data spaces. Discussions underscored the importance of building AI ecosystems aligned with European values such as transparency, sustainability, and data sovereignty. Participants also explored advanced themes, including virtual worlds, cognitive computing, and the interplay between AI and Data Spaces.
AI Factories and EuroHPC initiatives
A standout address by Juan Pelegrin (Head of Exascale Computing at the European Commission) highlighted the EC’s support for developing AI Factories as a cornerstone of Europe’s AI ecosystem. Designed to provide scalable and replicable solutions, AI Factories foster cross-domain collaboration, acting as pivotal drivers for Europe’s AI advancement. The EC’s AI Act and AI Innovation Package (including the GenAI4EU initiative) provide legislative and operational support to these efforts.
The EuroHPC supercomputing framework is set to provide tailored resources to AI startups, enhancing their research and production capabilities. National and European initiatives, such as Digital Innovation Hubs and the AI on Demand Platform, will be integrated to avoid duplication and ensure consistency across Europe. The discussions also stressed AI model safety, particularly concerning generative AI, and called for standardised research in this area.
Lilit Axner (EuroHPC Joint Undertaking) reinforced the role of EuroHPC in leveraging high-performance computing (HPC) infrastructure for AI. The deployment of European supercomputers, including JUPITER, will soon offer unprecedented computing power. These facilities are critical for advancing AI, especially for generative AI and language model training in underserved European languages.
Generative AI for Data and Engineering
Generative AI was another prominent topic, with discussions focusing on data enrichment technologies like Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG). Elena Simperl highlighted the importance of data commons for Large Language Models (LLMs), advocating for shared resources and community-driven AI research to enhance data sharing and innovation.
A dedicated session explored the convergence of Cloud, Edge, and IoT technologies into a unified ecosystem. Organised by the NexusForum.EU project, where Martel Innovate plays a leading role, this session emphasised AI, cognitive networks, and capacity building to maximise the impact of research and innovation.
Virtual Worlds and Trust in Technology
A workshop organised by the OpenVerse project and moderated by Monique Calisti, the CEO of Martel Innovate) explored the growing significance of Virtual Worlds, data privacy, and user trust. Discussions highlighted the increasing use of XR/VR/MR technologies, which rely on sensors that collect highly sensitive data such as eye tracking, movement patterns, and camera inputs. These data streams, while integral to immersive experiences, can expose personal and contextual information, emphasising the need for robust data governance frameworks. The workshop also underscored the importance of building sustainable and human-centric virtual environments, with a shared understanding that technology inherently reflects the values of its creators. The need to embed trustworthiness by design was a key takeaway from these engaging exchanges.
Martel Innovate: Driving AI and Data-Driven Innovation
The insights from EBDVF 2024 strongly resonate with Martel Innovate’s initiatives in data spaces, AI deployment, and sustainability. With over 40 active EU-funded projects spanning AI, Data and Robotics, Virtual Worlds, and Cloud/Edge/IoT, Martel’s active participation reinforces its role as a key stakeholder in shaping Europe’s AI strategy.
“Europe must strategically position itself in the global AI landscape by leveraging the diversity and quality of its data ecosystem” said our CTO Massimo Neri upon having followed all expert presentations and on-stage discussions, adding that “By focusing on innovation, transparency, and collaboration, we can carve out leadership in key domains and ensure a competitive, resilient future in this challenging environment.”
Martel is committed to supporting SMEs, fostering data-driven innovation, and advancing a sustainable, secure AI ecosystem. If you’re interested in collaborating on AI and data innovation, let’s connect. Together, we can shape a competitive and resilient AI future for Europe.
