At Data Week 2026, RI-SCALE will contribute to the discussion on the evolving role of Data Labs in Europe’s data and AI ecosystem through a dedicated session: “Data Labs: Their Role in Europe’s Data and AI Landscape.”
The theme of DW 2026, taking place on 05-06 May 2026 in Oslo, is “Data Fjords: Unlocking AI for Industry and Society”, focusing on the fundamental elements of Data Value creation. Artificial intelligence (AI) serves as a pivotal tool in unlocking data value through various means. Creating value from data also requires viewing it from an ecosystem perspective and fostering collaboration among multiple stakeholders, which lays the groundwork needed for research excellence, that is required to be rapidly put into action for competitiveness and societal benefit.
EU AI Data Labs are emerging as key building blocks of Europe’s AI ecosystem. Initially developed within AI Factories under the AI Continent Action Plan, they aim to connect data holders, Common European Data Spaces, and AI infrastructures. As these initiatives mature, Data Labs are expected to evolve into more independent entities addressing both sector-specific and research needs.
However, their precise role within the broader landscape is still taking shape. Questions remain regarding how Data Labs relate to existing instruments such as Common European Data Spaces, European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs), and Testing and Experimentation Facilities (TEFs).
