AI & Big Data Expo
2023-09-26 - 2023-09-27 | Amsterdam RAI, Europaplein 24, Amsterdam, 1078 GZ 1078 GZ, Netherlands
DELIVERING AI & BIG DATA FOR A SMARTER FUTURE
Join us again for AI & Big Data Expo Europe 2023 on 26-27th September at the RAI, Amsterdam. We’re set to see dozens of speakers from across various industries come together to discuss the latest developments in the world of AI & Big Data.
It is a showcase of next-generation technologies and strategies from the world of Artificial Intelligence & Big Data, an opportunity to explore and discover the practical and successful implementation of AI & Big Data in driving forward your business in 2023 and beyond.

European Conference on Artificial Intelligence (ECAI)
2023-09-30 - 2023-10-05 | ICE Kraków Congress Centre, Marii Konopnickiej 17, Kraków, 30-302, Poland
ECAI is Europe’s premier AI research venue. We are honoured to host the 26th edition of this conference in person, in Kraków, one of Europe’s most stunning cities. ECAI 2023 will feature, as usual, a full programme of technical papers, as well as many AI-related events of interest for researchers, students and industry professionals. This includes workshops and tutorials, as well as sister conferences for starting researchers (STAIRS) and prestigious applications of AI (PAIS). The conference is supported by the European Association for Artificial Intelligence (EurAI) and the Polish Artificial Intelligence Society (PSSI). The conference centre is within walking distance of the historical city centre.

AIOTI Signature Event 2023
2023-10-10 | Area 42 Location, Area42, Brussels, Rue des Palais 46, 1030, Belgium
Computing Continuum allows the exploitation of hybrid IoT-Edge-Cloud infrastructures with great flexibility while guaranteeing high-performance. Using Edge Intelligence (EI) enables executing computation tasks as close as possible to the data/event sources, to enable complex yet time-sensitive applications of artificial intelligence (AI) over resource-constrained IoT devices. Such a transition of AI algorithms and models from the Cloud to the peripheral ecosystem and vice versa makes the EI beneficial for the whole spectrum of domains which are today limited by the conventional “sense-and-forward” approach typical of Cloud-based architectures.

European Big Data Value Forum 2023
2023-10-25 - 2023-10-27 | Valencia, Spain
LEADS partners will be present at EBDVF with the session “Empowering Tomorrow’s Workforce: Bridiging the Digital Skills Gap through Higer Education and Vocational Training”.
Speakers:

Ernestina Menasalvas, UPM
Brendan Rowan, Bluspecs
Carlos Fernández Iñigo, INFORMA D&B, S.A.U. (S.M.E.)
Marta Rodrigues, EURASHE

Digital skills are practical skills and the development of apprenticeships and other VET approaches provide mechanisms for talent to access new skills and career opportunities.
In this session we will concentrate on VET and will analyze some success stories of VET initiatives. The main outcome of the session will be to learn from success stories to help filling the gap between demand and offer in Advanced Digital Skills.
Learn more

Challenges in Mapping Supply Webinar – LEADS Thematic webinars series
2023-11-13 16:00 - 17:00 UTC | Online
The first installment of the LEADS Thematic Webinars will focus on the training supply analysis conducted on advanced digital skills in all EU-countries. Given the mass of the courses in various levels offered, the various challenges emerging from the lack of detailed information revealed publicly in various, as well as the differences between countries, a hybrid methodology was developed and used. The methodology established for this purpose included mainly the following steps: (a) Define selection criteria for educational / training programmes on various levels; (b) Identify programmes and courses following the criteria defined; (c) categorise courses identified to non-Advanced Digital Skills and Advanced Digital Skills related; (d) analyse Advanced Digital Skills courses. In total, around 1250 higher education and vocational education advanced digital skills courses were identified and analyzed further, feeding into the gap analysis conducted afterwards.
Register here
Agenda:
16:00 – 16:10 Introduction
16:10 – 16:25 Presentation of the challenges in mapping supply
16:25 – 16:40 Q&A
16:40 – 16:45 Closing
Speakers:

Flora Josette Thibaudeau – Trinity Business School
Christopher Karachristos – Maggioli

CONNECT University - The State of the Digital Decade 2023 #Leads Involvement
2023-11-14 10:00 - 12:00 UTC | Online
Following the publication of the first annual report on the State of the Digital Decade, the European Commission (DG CONNECT) organises an open workshop to discuss in detail the main findings of the report and to reflect on the possible ways to move forward from this wake-up call.
The State of the Digital Decade report is an important input for Member States at a time when they prepare their strategic national roadmaps outlining actions, policies and measures they will take to achieve the digital decade objectives and targets, including planned regulatory measures and investments.
The first annual report on the “State of the Digital Decade” was published on 27th September. It presents a ‘comprehensive’ outlook on EU’s digital transformation and identified areas where progress is still insufficient.
Why this session?
The session aims to inform the audience about the existence of the report, to discuss its main findings and to gather feedback from digital transformation experts (European companies, consultancies and organisations) on suggestions for EU actions and priorities for the future.
Agenda and Speakers
The session will be divided into three parts:
10:00 – 10:20 – PART I: Introducing the State of the Digital Decade 2023
10:00 – 10:10 – Introduction by Ms. Kamila Kloc (Director Digital Decade and Connectivity, DG CONNECT, European Commission)
10:10 – 10:20 – Keynote by Mr. Matías González Martín (Secretary General for Telecommunications, Spanish Ministry for Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation)
10:20 – 10:35 – PART II: What are the main takeaways of the State of the Digital Decade Report? Mr. Eric Peters (Acting Head of Unit, Digital Decade Coordination Unit, DG CONNECT, European Commission)
10:35 – 10:40 – short break
10:40 – 11:45 – PART III: Panel discussion – moderated by Ms. Lavinia Bianchi (Communication Officer, Investments in High-Capacity Networks Unit, DG CONNECT, European Commission)
Panellists

Ms. Solveigh Hieronimus (Senior Partner, McKinsey)
Ms. Sophie Woodville (Digital Policy Officer, Bordeaux Metropolitan Area)
Mr. Brendan Rowan (Coordinator of the DEP project LeADS)
Mr. Izabel Jelenic (CTO Infobip)
Mr. Alessandro Gropelli (Deputy Director General, ETNO)

11:45 – 12:00 – Conclusion – by Mr. Eric Peters (Acting Head of Unit, Digital Decade Coordination Unit, DG CONNECT, European Commission)

LEADS Involvement
The LEADS project is poised to make a significant presence at the upcoming event, specifically during the panel discussion scheduled from 10:40 to 11:45. The discussion will be expertly moderated by Ms. Lavinia Bianchi, the Communication Officer of the Investments in High-Capacity Networks Unit at DG CONNECT, European Commission. The panel will feature a lineup of distinguished experts, including Mr. Brendan Rowan, who will represent the project as its Coordinator. This future event promises to showcase the project’s importance in the context of high-capacity networks and digital policy, with Mr. Rowan contributing his insights alongside fellow panelists:

Ms. Solveigh Hieronimus
Senior Partner at McKinsey
Ms. Sophie Woodville
Digital Policy Officer for Bordeaux Metropolitan Area
Mr. Izabel Jelenic
CTO of Infobip
Mr. Alessandro Gropelli
Deputy Director General of ETNO

Challenges in Mapping Demand Webinar – LEADS Thematic webinars series
2023-11-20 16:00 - 17:00 UTC | Online
This roundtable will be focused on the methodologies and approaches employed by the LeADS project to comprehensively track the demand for advanced digital skills across Europe. The LeADS initiative, at the forefront of digital skill assessment, integrates a diverse array of sources to provide a nuanced understanding of the evolving needs in the digital workforce.
We will delve into the intricacies of the LeADS project, exploring the fusion of data from various channels to paint a detailed picture of the demand for advanced digital skills followed by a Q&A and discussion. This workshop serves as a platform for participants to gain insights into the multifaceted nature of digital skill requirements and how these insights can inform policy, education, and training initiatives.
Register here
Agenda:
16:00 – 16:10 Introduction
16:10 – 16:25 Demand assessment methodology and outcomes outcome
16:25 – 16:40 Q&A
16:40 – 16:45 Closing
Speakers:

Nuria De Lama, IDC
Leondardo Freitas, IDC

Workshop: VET-Oriented Reskilling in the domain of Advanced Digital Skills leveraging Microcredentials and MOOCs
2023-11-23 11:00 - 12:30 (Europe/Zurich) | Online
Leading Question: How to ensure the availability of appropriately recognised micro-credentials, short-term course and online learning options to meet industry and learner demands.
Background:
In a rapidly changing job market, continuous learning and reskilling are essential for professional growth and career success. The LeADS (Leading Europe’s Advanced Digital Skills) Coordination and Support Action funded through the Horizon Europe framework aims to provide insights into the changing advanced digital skills (ADS) demands within a dynamic technological development context and current digital transformation to equip skills suppliers (education and training) with the knowledge, guidance and best practices to shape the future of European ADS talent and support the effective implementation and collaborative success of the ADS programme within the Digital Europe Programme (DEP).
This workshop focuses on VET-oriented reskilling through innovative approaches such as microcredentials and Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) that can lead to faster adaptation of educational programmes to the emerging and rapidly changing demand. Participants will explore how these flexible and accessible learning options can help workers in the ICT domain acquire new skills, validate their knowledge, and stay relevant in their respective industries.
At the end of the workshop, participants seeking lifelong learning and training opportunities will be equipped with practical knowledge and tools to embark on a VET-oriented upskilling/reskilling journey using microcredentials and MOOCs, enabling them to remain competitive and agile in the dynamic job market. Additionally, stakeholders in VET will gain a deeper insight on the pollical interventions and organizational reforms that need to take place in order to efficiently implement and exploit the power of new flexible forms of education and training provisioning.

Training in Deep Tech: Best practices to build tomorrow’s talent #Leads Involvement
2023-11-23 18:00 - 22:00 UTC | La Pedrera-Casa Milà, Pg. de Gràcia 92, Barcelona, 08008, Spain
The  Deep Tech Talent Initiative is a pioneering programme to skill one million people within deep tech over the next three years.

The EIT and its Innovation Communities are organising the first EIT Deep Tech Talent Prize Ceremony, which will take place on 23 November in Barcelona, Spain.
The Deep Tech Talent Training Prize honors and recognizes organizations, including training providers, universities and industry partners, for their exceptional contributions in one of two award categories: Partner Training and Targeted Training.
The prize award ceremony includes a keynote address and panel discussion on best practices in deep tech education and provides ample opportunities for all participants of the event to build connections to the Deep Tech Talent Initiative.
Click here to see the agenda

LEADS Involvement
During the event’s panel discussion on “Best Practices in Deep Tech Education”, Brendan Rowan, the Managing Consultant at BluSpecs and Coordinator of the LEADS project, will play a significant role as a panelist.
The work on the LEADS project, will contribute to the discourse on enhancing deep tech education.
The panel, moderated by Natalie Cernecka, promises to be an enlightening and informative discussion with diverse perspectives from experts in the field. LEAD’s presence ensures a valuable contribution to the exploration of best practices in deep tech education.

Invitation to LEADS Consortium Workshop: Generative AI in University Educations
2024-01-17 10:00 - 12:00 (Europe/Zurich) | Online
The LeADS project is pleased to invite you to the upcoming online workshop on January 17th, 2024, from 10:00 – 12:00, on the role of Generative AI in Advanced Digital Skills (ADS) education at university level.
The aim of the workshop is to discuss the potentials and concerns regarding Generative AI, both in relation to curriculum development, teaching, and learning. The results of the discussions will be fed into a set of recommendations that the project will provide to the European Commission and education institutions.
The workshop includes a panel of generative AI experts, each presenting their point of view on the future usage of generative AI. Participants will be able to engage in the debate and provide their input on the following topics to be discussed:

How can Generative AI aid curriculum development?
Can Generative AI solutions be tailored for advanced digital skills education?
How might AI help students/trainees optimize their advanced digital skills learning paths?
Do we expect the emergence of curricula and courses focused on prompt engineering, and if so, to which extent?

The panelists are:

Luca Malinverno, Data Scientist at Porini
Luca Schirru, researcher at CiTiP, KU Leuven
Andrea Maurino, Professor at University of Milano-Bicocca
Marco Scirea, Associate Professor at Southern University of Denmark

Program – Generative AI in University Education: January 17th, 2024 – online

10:00
Welcome and introduction (participants, LeADS and ADS)

10:05
Presentation of the outcome goals and purpose workshop

10:10
Presentations by the speakers

10:50
Panel discussion regarding questions with AI experts

11:50
Summary of visions and implementation suggestions

12:00
Wrap-up and closing

Please Note, the workshop will be recorded for transcription purposes.
The LeADS Consortium, in the context of the Digital Europe Programme, aims to deliver insights into the changing Advanced Digital Skills (ADS) demands within a dynamic technological development context and current digital transformation, to equip the education and training communities to better close the gaps to the industry, by providing roadmaps and guidelines. Read more here: https://leads.advancedskills.eu/
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Bjarke Pedersen (bkp@mmmi.sdu.dk), Patricia Lyk (pabl@mmi.sdu.dk) or Jacob Nielsen (jani@mmmi.sdu.dk).

Best Practices in Managing Joint Accreditation - LEADS Thematic Webinar
2024-02-27 11:00 - 12:00 UTC | Online
Programme Design & Joint Accreditation Thematic Webinar
In this session, we will explore and share best practices in managing joint accreditation within two of the SPECIALISED projects, ManagiDITH and MeRIT and we are happy to host also EUMasree4HPC and CASTIEL 2
Participants will discuss successful strategies, challenges, and insights related to the accreditation process.
The aim is to facilitate a collaborative exchange of experiences, enabling project representatives to learn from each other’s approaches and enhance their understanding of effective joint accreditation methodologies.

11:00
Welcome and Introductions
Eugenia Kypriotis

11:05
Greeting
Asja Satler & Oscar Rodriguez Diaz

11:10
Best Practices in Managing Joint Accreditation by ManagiDiTH
Janet Smithson

11:20
Best Practices in Managing Joint Accreditation by MeRIT
Simona Ramanauskaitė

11:30
Best Practices in Managing Joint Accreditation by EUMaster4HPC
Katerine Saleme

11:40
Best Practices in Managing Joint Accreditation by CASTIEL 2
Alina Melinette

12:00
End of webinar

Register now!

Programme Design & Joint Accreditation - LEADS Thematic Webinar
2024-02-27 11:00 - 12:00 UTC | Online
Programme Design & Joint Accreditation Thematic Webinar
Best Practices in Managing Joint Accreditation
The Programme Design & Joint Accreditation Thematic Webinar will explore and share best practices in managing joint accreditation within two of the SPECIALISED projects, EUMasree4HPC and CASTIEL 2. Participants will discuss successful strategies, challenges, and insights related to the accreditation process. The aim is to facilitate a collaborative exchange of experiences, enabling project representatives to learn from each other’s approaches and enhance their understanding of effective joint accreditation methodologies.

11:00
Welcome and Introductions
Eugenia Kypriotis

11:05
Greeting
Asja Satler & Oscar Rodriguez Diaz

11:10
Best Practices in Managing Joint Accreditation by ManagiDiTH
Janet Smithson

11:20
Best Practices in Managing Joint Accreditation by DIGITAL4Business
Michael Bradford

11:30
Best Practices in Managing Joint Accreditation by EUMaster4HPC
Katerine Saleme

11:40
Best Practices in Managing Joint Accreditation by CASTIEL 2
Alina Melinette

12:00
End of webinar

Register now!

Research and Innovation Week
2024-03-18 - 2024-03-21 | Tour & Taxis, Av. du Port 88, Brussels, 1000, Belgium
The Research and Innovation Week (R&I Week) is the 2024 European Commission’s flagship event on research and innovation which will take place between 18 and 21 March 2024 in Tour & Taxis (Brussels, Belgium).Celebrating the 40-year journey through the Research and Innovation Framework Programmes, the R&I Week 2024 will debate the future of R&I and shape the contribution to EU political priorities, in particular the EU Tech Sovereignty and Competitiveness.
The R&I Week 2024 gives you the opportunity to attend:
18 March – Opening of the R&I Week19 March – The EIC Summit 202419-20 March – Belgian Presidency Conference on Innovation Procurement20-21 March – The European R&I Days 2024

Join thousands of policymakers, researchers, innovators and other stakeholders, and discover high-level speakers, policy debates, funding and networking opportunities, dedicated workshops, pitching sessions to investors and exhibitions showcasing EU-funded projects.The Research and Innovation Week is a series of events organised by the European Commission and the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Registration for these events will open soon and more information will be made available on this page.

Open Source Driving the European Digital Decade | Belgium
2024-04-04 09:00 - 16:00 UTC | Brussels, Belgium
Save the date!
This event is part of the OFE Capital Series, which takes place in each Member State that holds the Presidency of the Council of the EU. Now the turn has come to Belgium, this event will seek to bridge the gap between the EU inner workings and the Open Source Software (OSS) communities active all over Europe.
You can already register for the event, which will take place in Brussels on 4 April.
The event is organised under the auspices of the Belgian Presidency.
Take a look at earlier iterations of the event here:

Spain
Sweden
Czechia

Venue, agenda and speakers will be presented in the coming weeks!

IQT The Hague - Inside Quantum Technology
2024-04-22 - 2024-04-24 | The Postillion Convention Centre, The Hague, Netherlands
IQT The Hague
IQT The Hague 2024 is the fifth global conference and exhibition taking place in Netherlands. The Hague event is a Quantum Technology Event focusing on Quantum Networking and Quantum Security. Ten vertical topics encompassing more than 40 panel talks from over 100 speakers will provide attendees with a deep understanding of state-of-the-art developments of the future quantum internet as well as the current impact of quantum-safe technologies on cybersecurity and quantum computers.
The conference brings together corporate management, entrepreneurs, end users, technology providers, infrastructure partners, researchers and investors who are working on current developments. IQT The Hague is organized by 3DR Holdings, IQT Research, QuTech, QIA (Quantum Internet Alliance) and Quantum Delta NL who will bring leading organizations and professionals together in this important event. The April conference is “in-person” to ensure maximum networking and discussion will take place at the Postillion Hotel & Convention Centre The Hague.
Learn more!

MERIThON
2024-04-27 | Vilnius, Lithuania
The MERIT consortium within the Digital Europe MERIT project organises the first MERIThON, an international ideathon (Italy, Spain, Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania) to be held simultaneously in Lithuania (Vilnius) and Spain (Manresa) on April 27, 2024.
The MERIThON is more than just an event: it will help foster collaboration and raise awareness about Advanced Digital Skills. Participants will have the opportunity to connect with top companies, showcase their talent, and contribute to the advancement of the MERIT project.
Who Can Participate?
Regardless of age, gender, experience, or background, everyone has the potential to generate groundbreaking ideas.
Participants will unleash their creativity and problem-solving skills by tackling challenges in cutting-edge fields such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cybersecurity, Internet of Things (IoT), and other advanced digital skills (ADS) areas.
Through hands-on workshops and interactive sessions (mentoring), participants will have the opportunity to dive deep into these technologies and explore their limitless possibilities.
How to Participate in the Event?
All participants must express their interest/motivation to participate in one or two challenges, individually or as a team, via this registration link (until April 19, 2024 12:00 CET / 13:00 EET or earlier, if all available slots are occupied). Silent members (not involved in generating solutions) are allowed!
The MERIThON by MERIT will take place on April 27 in an all-day event.
More information on MERIThON webpage here.
LEARN MORE

LEADS Thematic Webinar: Good Practices in SPECIALISED Courses’ Communication
2024-05-07 11:00 - 11:45 UTC | Online
On May 7, 2024, at 11:00 am, join us for an insightful webinar on “Good Practices in SPECIALISED Courses’ Communication” where leading projects MeRIT and Digital4Business will share their expertise and experiences in effectively communicating their courses. In this webinar, we’ll explore the various aspects of communication, including an overview of communication efforts, real-life case studies and examples, challenges encountered, innovative solutions, lessons learned, and future plans.
This webinar is essential for anyone involved in course development in ADS master courses and their communication within higher education institutions, providing valuable insights and strategies to enhance communication efforts and drive success in their courses. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from the best and take your course’s communication to the next level!

11:00
Welcome and Introductions
Aletta D’cruz

11:05
Good Practices in SPECIALISED Courses’ Communication by Digital4Business

11:20
Good Practices in SPECIALISED Courses’ Communication by MeRIT

11:35
Q&A Session

11:45
End of webinar

Register now!

LEADS Thematic Webinar: Good Practices in Courses’ Recruitment
2024-05-08 11:00 - 11:45 UTC | Online
On May 8, 2024, at 11:00am join us for an interactive and insightful webinar on “Good Practices in Courses’ Recruitment”.
Join us for an in-depth exploration of the key aspects of recruitment, strategic actions for recruiting high-profile students, after which we will open the floor for discussion to all participants, fostering an open exchange of ideas and experiences to further enrich our understanding of effective recruitment practices
This webinar is essential for anyone involved in the development of master courses in ADS and student recruitment, offering valuable strategies and insights to enhance recruitment efforts and drive success in programme development.

11:00
Welcome and Introductions
Aletta D’cruz

11:05
Good Practices in Courses’ Recruitment
Aletta D’cruz

11:20
Open Floor Discussion

11:45
End of webinar

Register now!

20x30: Europe’s Advanced Digital Skills Summit
2024-05-16 10:00 - 17:00 UTC | La Nave Madrid, C. Cifuentes, 5, Madrid, Villaverde, 28021, Spain
20×30: Europe’s Advanced Digital Skills Summit
In an era of rapid technological evolution, Europe’s competitive edge hinges on its ability to develop and maintain advanced digital skills. Facing a critical shortage of ICT professionals, the “20×30: Europe’s ADS Summit” emerges as a pivotal gathering to propel Europe towards its ambitious goal of adding 20 million new ICT specialists by 2030, underpinning the Digital Decade policy initiative.
This free one-day event in Madrid unites thought leaders from business, academia, and policy-making to chart Europe’s journey in advanced digital skills. Featuring roundtables, keynote speeches, workshops, and showcases of best practices, the summit is a crucible for innovative solutions and strategic collaborations aimed at redefining Europe’s digital skills landscape.
Register now!
