Following our previous announcement of the PLIADES workshop at the European Robotics Forum (ERF) 2026, we are pleased to share the confirmed speakers and the detailed programme of the session. The workshop will bring together experts from research, industry and policy to explore the evolving role of Data Spaces in enabling advanced AI and robotics applications across key sectors.
The workshop, titled “Data Spaces Beyond the Basics: Toward Operational AI and Robotics”, will focus on how Data Spaces can support the development, deployment and scaling of AI-driven solutions in domains such as mobility, industry and healthcare.
Building on the discussions initiated during last year’s ERF workshop, this follow-up session will dive deeper into the practical integration of Data Spaces in real-world environments. Participants will gain insights into interoperability mechanisms, emerging standards and the role of trustworthy and resource-efficient AI within distributed data ecosystems. Particular attention will be given to lessons learned from pilot implementations and cross-domain demonstrators.
Workshop 56: “Data Spaces Beyond the Basics: Toward Operational AI and Robotics”
📅 25 March 2026
🕓 16:00–17:20
📍 Room: Synesvarden
Workshop programme
The session will be opened by Franziska Kirstein (Blue Ocean Robotics) with an introduction to the workshop objectives and the broader context of Data Spaces in robotics innovation.
The keynote presentations will include contributions from leading experts involved in European research and innovation initiatives:
Till Christopher Lech – Senior Research Scientist, SINTEF, Norway
Framing Data Spaces Beyond Robotics: The talk will provide an overarching perspective on data spaces, drawing on examples from sectors beyond robotics. It will highlight how successful data spaces operate in practice, while addressing key challenges and opportunities for their broader adoption.
Dr. Dimitrios Giakoumis – ITI, CERTH, Greece
AI-Enabled Data Spaces in PLIADES: The talk will introduce the PLIADES project, highlighting its approach to AI-driven data lifecycle management across federated data spaces. Key technologies and selected use cases will be presented in the context of interoperable, next-generation AI and robotics ecosystems.
Dr. Michael Suppa – CEO, Roboception GmbH, Germany
AI-based Robotics in the RoX Ecosystem: The talk will introduce the RoX project. Technologies will be elaborated alongside the use cases and put in context of a federated data space ecosystem.
Cem Gülec, – Policy and Programme Officer, DG CONNECT European Commission.
The talk will outline the European Commission’s vision of common data spaces as secure, interoperable ecosystems for sharing and exploiting data across sectors. It will highlight how EU calls position data spaces as a key enabler for AI and robotics innovation.
The presentations will be followed by a panel discussion, allowing speakers and participants to exchange views on key challenges such as interoperability, scalability, trustworthy AI and the opportunities created by cross-domain data sharing.
The workshop will conclude with a short wrap-up highlighting the main takeaways and future steps for advancing operational Data Spaces in AI and robotics.
The workshop is organised with the participation of the PLIADES and RoX projects and contributes to ongoing European efforts to develop next-generation AI-enabled robotics ecosystems.
