To realise the true potential of this technology, a solid foundation is needed – a scalable and secure data infrastructure. This is where, for example, Gaia-X, Europe’s pioneering initiative for a sovereign digital infrastructure, comes into play. Here are seven reasons why Data Spaces, according to Gaia-X standards, could be the key to success.

Only by working together can we shape a green digitalisation and future – that was the tenor of this year’s DIGISUSTAIN at KAP Europa. On 29 April, eco hosted the “Digital and Sustainable Transformation” stage and welcomed numerous players from business and politics who are driving forward sustainable digital transformation.

Around one in two companies (51 per cent) are already using artificial intelligence (AI), according to a recent survey by market and opinion research institute Civey.

The latest GXFS Whitepaper “Analysing the SSI World” sheds light on the world of Self Sovereign Identities (SSI) as a key concept in the Gaia-X and GXFS ecosystem. The Whitepaper provides comprehensive insights and emphasises the importance of broad engagement to advance the SSI concept.

For the second time, the leading minds of the Gaia-X scene met in Berlin on 5 and 6 September 2023 for GXFS Connect. While in 2022 the focus was still on the idea behind the initiative and the start of the German funded projects, this year more than 40 speakers discussed concrete progress in the development of a European data ecosystem.

Combining being green and being digital to act more responsibly towards the climate, environment and people has emerged as a factor in competitive markets. How data can be used to achieve environmental goals. And how the TANGO project aims to achieve optimal performance with lower hardware requirements. Read more on tango-project.eu.

The GXFS Connect programme, which will take place on 5 and 6 September 2023 in Berlin, has now been finalised: Over the course of discussion panels, presentations and numerous networking opportunities, participants will exchange experiences and know-how – for example, on the Gaia-X funding and lighthouse projects, as well as on GXFS implementation strategies.

The German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy launched its call for expressions of interest for this summer’s European Twinning process. Interested partners with a permanent establishment or branch in Germany can apply until 21 July. On 12 July from 9:30 till 11:00 a.m., the eco  Association invites its interested members to a virtual networking meeting to collect questions about the funding call.

Doing the same with less energy: Over the next three years, the TANGO project will work on a cross-sectoral data platform. The goal is the development of particularly energy-efficient algorithms. Why energy-saving AI belongs under every bonnet. And how the eco – Association of the Internet Industry supports the project...

Create more value digitally and give more weight to Europe as a data location: Gaia-X is driving the shift from a product-centric to a data-centric world. At Cloud Expo Europe, the IT industry discussed why the economy and society need cloud technology.

Which rules operators of critical infrastructures have to follow in the context of Gaia-X, is discussed in the new Gaia-X Federation Services (GXFS-DE) whitepaper “Information Security of Critical Infrastructures – Law and Regulation for Gaia-X and the Gaia-X Federation Services”.

From factories to supermarkets to medicines, data has a price. It is when companies share data with others that the greatest economic impact can be expected. Why the Digital Single Market goes against established principles of competition. And how the TANGO project is technologically balancing the interests of citizens. More on www.tango-project.eu

At our Mobility Competence Group meeting,“Urban Mobility – Interaction of IoT and Mobility for the Implementation of Mobility Solutions”, eco entered into discussion with various experts from the mobility and IoT environment on the topics of data generation, data usage, data management and data policy. Together with our host, WOBCOM in Wolfsburg, and our CG Mobility Leader Giovanni Coppa, we arrived at exciting content and a highly productive CG meeting.

When selecting cloud services for corporate IT, experts are particularly concerned about the trusted handling of data. This is shown by a Civey survey of 250 IT experts commissioned by eco – Association of the Internet Industry. According to the survey, the most important criterion when selecting cloud services in corporate IT is an encryption offer from the cloud provider (41.5 per cent). What are also seen to be very important are quality and security certificates (36.6 per cent) and the compatibility of the service with the GDPR.

From 17 to 21 April 2023, around 130,000 visitors in Hannover could see first-hand just how well Gaia-X has taken off. During the trade fair, a large number of interested visitors came to the joint “Industry 4.0 platform” stand to learn how the Gaia-X Federation Services (GXFS) and many other Gaia-X projects work in practice.

Data-based disease detection and treatment – Europe is on the way to a Health Union. How Gaia-X lets us live longer independently. And why artificial intelligence, vitamin D and calcium are enough to save billions in treatment costs.

According to eco Chair of the Board Oliver Süme: “The German federal government Data Strategy must clarify open questions related to the use of data in an economic context.”

eco Survey: 83.7 per cent of IT experts believe that the German industry is in a worse position than its international competitors. 55 per cent complain about bureaucratic hurdles in digitalisation projects in German industry.

Gaia-X is taking shape. Andreas Weiss, GXFS Project Manager and Head of Digital Business Models division at eco – Association of the Internet Industry, talks in an interview on the further development of Gaia-X in line with the needs and problems of users.

Whether with MS-DOS, the Apple Newton or Gaia-X – for 40 years, C&S Computer and Software has been digitising the healthcare industry. In an interview, Managing Director Bruno Ristok now presents his work in the TEAM-X project. Which role the focus on the common good plays in data flows in outpatient care. And how Gaia-X provides solutions for the banality of everyday life. Read more on gxfs.eu.

When Hannover Messe, the world’s leading industrial trade fair, opens its doors from 17-21 April 2023, the eco Association and Gaia-X Federation Services will be on site.

Meet the eco Association and the GXFS-DE project team at Cloud Expo Europe in Frankfurt on 10-11 May 2023 and experience Gaia-X live at the “Gaia-X Stage powered by eco”.

Gaia-X is widely accepted and positively perceived by companies. This is one result of the survey “Acceptance of Gaia-X” commissioned by the eco Association and GXFS. There is already a great understanding regarding the added values of Gaia-X and the associated opportunities to strengthen data sovereignty and reduce dependence on non-European providers.

The German funded project GXFS-DE released the first video of a series of scenario video series. These videos are designed to convey the complex technical concepts behind Gaia-X in an understandable way, highlighting real-world application scenarios. Each video is dedicated to a specific use case, focusing on the benefits and features of Gaia-X.

On 9 February, the Gaia-X Roadshow made a stop in Hamburg. Gaia-X was experienced first-hand by over 60 guests at the VLET restaurant.

The momentum for Gaia-X is growing steadily. More and more companies and teams across Europe are joining the initiative. The first pilot projects are underway. But the complexity also gives rise to a lot of questions. Insider Emma Wehrwein from eco – Association of the Internet Industry answers some frequently asked questions...

eco – Association of the Internet Industry is one of 37 leading European organisations, that join forces to provide a trustworthy data management solution for combining greater control and sharing of data

This GXFS online survey (only in German), launched today, is designed to draw a picture of the current state of knowledge and expectations of Gaia-X in the market. Both factors are crucial for the acceptance of the initiative by different stakeholders and therefore also essential for the success of Gaia-X as a community...

Orchestrating value networks to realise new business models and produce more sustainably is exactly what the Gaia-X-Federation Services project (GXFS) is realising as the nucleus of software for Gaia-X. Klaus Ottradovetz from Atos, Ernst Stöckl-Pukall from the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology, and Harald A. Summa from the eco Association discussed why Europe needs Gaia-X at the GXFS Connect in Berlin.

Gaia-X can reduce costs in the long term and create new business opportunities, says Matthias Brucke in an interview. The founder and Managing Director of embeteco will be speaking on the panel at the GXFS Connect Conference in Berlin on 8 September about the exchange with Gaia-X Hub DE Domains.