The forum gathered industry professionals, business developers, researchers, and policymakers to exchange experience and discuss the future of data-driven innovation in Europe. The GATE team took an active part in networking sessions and bilateral meetings, strengthening the institute’s connections with key European partners and exploring opportunities for collaboration in ongoing and upcoming initiatives in the fields of data spaces, trustworthy AI, and digital transformation.

Among the projects presented at the event was enRichMyData, a Horizon Europe project in which GATE is a partner. The project is part of the EUDATA+ collaboration with six other European projects that have joined their efforts for marker realization of their products and services.   The Collaboration hosted the session “EUDATA+: A Journey Through the Data Lifecycle – Innovations, Use Cases, Values”, showcasing technological advances in data enrichment, interoperability, and real-world application. The enRichMyData  booth at the exhibition area attracted significant interest from participants and industry representatives.

The GATE team also attended the BDVA i-Space Label Ceremony, where new innovation hubs were recognised for their contributions to the European data ecosystem. Last year, GATE received the BDVA Silver i-Space Label – a distinction that continues to highlight the institute’s role as a regional leader in applied big data and AI research.

A high-level panel discussion titled “Europe for Global Leadership in AI and Data – A Policy and Research Perspective” was participated in by the director of GATE, Prof. Sylvia Ilieva. During her address, GATE’s latest initiatives were highlighted, including the development of a regulatory sandbox that facilitates collaboration between regulators and developers. This sandbox is viewed as a crucial step towards shaping effective AI regulations and ensuring ethical practices in the deployment of AI technologies.

Additionally, an insightful presentation on the implementation of the AI Act was delivered by Ivo Emanuilov, Researcher in AI Law, Ethics & Regulation. Valuable perspectives on the regulatory landscape for AI in Europe were provided through his contributions during the session on “Data, AI, and Interoperability: Shaping the Regulatory Sandbox Ecosystem for Innovation.”

An engaging session on Generative AI for Data and Knowledge Engineering was moderated by Prof. Dessislava Petrova-Antonova, Research Lead at GATE, with support from notable projects such as enRichMyData, Dynabic-eu, HUMAINE, and INTEND. The complexities and challenges associated with generative AI were the focus of this session, with key issues like transparency and fairness in AI deployment discussed.

The recognition from BDVA is seen as a foundation for future collaborations and impactful projects that will contribute to sustainable development in Bulgaria and beyond.

With this award, BDVA honors hubs that support data-driven innovation and AI development across Europe. Each year, candidate hubs are evaluated based on criteria such as provision of high-tech infrastructure, scope and innovation of the services offered, participation in international projects, including coordination, and overall impact on the data ecosystem. Hubs are classified into five categories — start-up, bronze, silver, gold and platinum — depending on their degree of maturity and potential to drive innovation.

“The Silver i-Space award is a recognition of quality and trust that establishes GATE as a leading center for research excellence and innovation. It highlights our commitment to using data to solve complex problems and support informed decision-making in various application areas,” said Prof. Silvia Ilieva, Director of the Institute. “For us, this distinction is not only an achievement, it is a responsibility. We believe that the GATE Innovation Space (GATE i-Space) will support the implementation of projects with high social and economic impact that are aimed at addressing global societal challenges, support smart industries and contribute to sustainable development,” she added.

“Although GATE is a young organization, with your first application you have already achieved the medium, silver level of development of the Innovation Space. Continue to build on your achievements, we are waiting for you in the gold and platinum level,” emphasized Thomas Hahn, the president of the BDVA, when presenting the award.

GATE i-Space was created to support the development and implementation of high-tech solutions based on big data and artificial intelligence, and to provide resources and services to external users and third parties. It enables easy and rapid prototyping, validation and experimentation in real-world environments, demonstrating the value of technology and data in a variety of scenarios. It supports SMEs from traditional sectors for experimentation and demonstration, as well as innovative start-ups that use the data space for their development and pre-investment activities. The main services of GATE i-Space are based on a high-tech infrastructure, integrating a palette of software tools and a data platform that cover the entire life cycle of data (collection and structuring, processing, analysis and visualization) and three innovation laboratories – a city living laboratory, digital twins lab and visualization lab. Among the additional services are training programs to increase competence and expertise in the field of data, technical support and consulting for the development of new business models and data management, as well as initiatives for joint projects with business and public administration.

GATE i-Space aims to promote data-driven innovation in Bulgaria and Europe. It is also a major driving force in national and international initiatives related to the creation of data spaces in the field of mobility, healthcare and urban development.

With its Silver i-Space status, GATE i-Space cements its key role in realizing Europe’s data-driven digital future.