README (Please): A Small File, a Big Help When Working with Research Data
Have you ever downloaded a research dataset, opened the files and realised you had no idea what they contained or how to use them? This is where a README file comes in.
Budapest hosted the European Big Data Value Forum 2024
The European Big Data Value Forum 2024 took place in Hungary's capital from 2 to 4 October. This main event for Europe's research and innovation community in the fields of big data and artificial intelligence is traditionally organised by the Big Data Value Association. Representatives from the EOSC CZ initiative were also present at this year's conference and they will share their impressions with you.
The European Big Data Value Forum (EBDVF) attracted nearly five hundred participants to rainy Budapest, including industry professionals, business developers, researchers, and policymakers from across Europe and other regions of the world. The goal was to advance policy actions and industrial and research activities in the areas of big data and artificial intelligence. While participants discussed the latest trends, technologies, and challenges, the recurring themes throughout the event were AI Factories and data spaces.
The three-day conference, held under the auspices of the Hungarian Presidency of the European Council in collaboration with the European Commission and local partners, attracted numerous experts. Kseniya Bobryshava, a data analyst from the EOSC-CZ project, attended the EBDVF for the first time and shared her impressions: "For me, it was highly beneficial to listen to presentations from various European projects regarding the use of big data. However, several key themes emerged throughout the event: a lack of data, scientists' reluctance to collect and share their data, and unresolved issues with interoperability. This made me realise that these challenges are present across Europe. Still, I am convinced that initiatives like EOSC can play a crucial role in fostering collaboration and sharing best practices among different projects and scientific communities, and I was pleased to be part of it."
Martin Dvořák, another data analyst from the EOSC-CZ project, was also among the attendees at EBDVF 2024, and he summarised the conference’s benefits with these words: "There are not many conferences that provide such a comprehensive focus on lectures related to the European Data Strategy, spanning both high-level discussions and specific upcoming data spaces. EOSC is a prime example of such a data space dedicated to the sharing of scientific data. Furthermore, I find the opportunity to engage in discussions with other partners involved in the European Digital Decade, such as Gaia X, to be a significant benefit of this conference."
The European Big Data Value Forum 2024 offered a rich programme full of plenary and special sessions, panel discussions, workshops, and other activities, hosting a wide range of outstanding speakers who contributed to topics related to big data and artificial intelligence. The conference also served as a key platform for discussions on the future of big data and AI in Europe. It not only provided space for sharing the latest scientific insights and technological innovations but also offered opportunities for collaboration, which representatives of the Czech EOSC initiative took full advantage of.
More information about the European forum can be found on the event’s official website. Preparations for the European Big Data Value Forum 2025 are already underway, with the next conference set to take place in Copenhagen.
