16 January 2024, Brussels, Belgium – Gaia-X European Association for Data and Cloud is excited to host its European Parliament Reception on Tuesday, 23 January 2024. The event, co-hosted by MEPs Miapetra Kumpula-Natri and Dragoş Tudorache, marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing dialogue surrounding European data governance. Pierre Chastanet, Head of the Unit for Cloud and Software, European Commission, will also attend and deliver a keynote speech.
As Shadow-Rapporteur on the European Strategy for Data, MEP Miapetra Kumpula-Natri expressed her enthusiasm, stating: “In this term, we have been pushing in the European Parliament ambitious data governance regulations to promote fair and open data utilisation. We need initiatives such as Gaia-X: digital governance based on European values, to support that. That is why I am very honoured to host the Gaia-X reception on 23 January at the European Parliament.”
The evening promises insightful discussions, aligning with key EU projects such as SIMPL and DSSC. The Reception will foster connections among policymakers, stakeholders, and the public and will provide a unique opportunity for collaboration and innovation in the European data governance landscape.
Ulrich Ahle, Gaia-X CEO, stated: “Enabling trusted decentralised digital ecosystems based on European values is an ambitious undertaking. Our commitment to success lies in fostering collaboration with key partners such as DSSC and SIMPL. Together, we aim to champion interoperability with Gaia-X specifications, ensuring they align seamlessly with our mission as we navigate the path towards a future defined by trust and shared values.”
MEP Dragoş Tudorache, Rapporteur on the AI Act, emphasised the significance of the legislation, underlining that “the AI Act is the first regulation for a digital world that is driven by AI. This legislation will guide the development and evolution of this technology in a human-centric direction.”
One of the highlights of the event is the Press & Audience Q&A session scheduled from 19:50, which will provide an engaging platform for discussion. Journalists attending the event can delve into Gaia-X’s strategy with Ulrich Ahle, Gaia-X CEO, and gain valuable insights regarding the SIMPL and DSSC projects from experts such as Klaus Ottradovetz, from Eviden International Germany GmbH, and Boris Otto, Executive Director at Fraunhofer ISST. Additionally, they will have the opportunity to interact directly with policymakers, gaining unique insights into the legislative efforts driving European data governance. The Q&A session is poised to be a vibrant exploration of the pressing issues surrounding European data governance and the transformative potential of Gaia-X.
The reception will serve as a unique opportunity for attendees to engage with EU policymakers, stakeholders, and the public, fostering connections that will be instrumental in future collaborations. By bringing together key players in the European data ecosystem, Gaia-X aims to create a platform for open dialogue, idea exchange, and the formation of lasting partnerships that will contribute to the success of Europe’s digital future.
In Europe’s digital transformation era, Gaia-X remains a source of innovation, collaboration, and digital sovereignty. The European Parliament Reception is expected to be a significant event, bringing together key stakeholders to contribute to shaping the future of data spaces in Europe.
About Gaia-X:
Established in 2021 as a privately funded not-for-profit Association, Gaia-X brings together an international industrial, academic, and political community with the aim of building a common standard for transparent, controllable, and interoperable technologies in order to enable the creation of common data spaces, and in doing so boost the European data economy.
Open to anyone but aligned to the European values of human-centricity, transparency, openness and sovereignty, Gaia-X’s ambition is to deliver unprecedented opportunities for innovative data-driven business models reducing the dependency on non-controllable technologies.
Press Contact:
Cosmina Gantner, Communications Director
Gaia-X European Association for Data and Cloud
+32499397519
