Exploring AI for public good: BDTI at the FARI Conference 2024

The FARI Conference 2024, held in Brussels from November 18th to 19th, brought together public administrations, researchers, NGOs, and innovators to explore how AI can be harnessed for public good. Organised by FARI, the AI Institute for the Common Good, the conference aimed to highlight practical applications of AI and data technologies that drive societal impact. The event provided a space to discuss, learn, and collaborate on projects that can improve our communities.

The BDTI team joined the conference on November 17 during the welcome cocktail evening. They had the unique opportunity to explore Brussels’ first digital twins in the “Cave,” an innovative space at the FARI building. This cutting-edge tool enables urban planning by simulating development scenarios, engaging communities, and making data-driven decisions with tailored virtual experiences. Witnessing this technology in action offered a glimpse into the future of informed and inclusive decision-making.

The next day, the team presented the Big Data Test Infrastructure (BDTI) at the conference. The stand in the exhibition facilitated discussions about the BDTI project and how European bodies can foster innovation through AI and open data. The team also engaged experts in new collaborations, expanded the network with public administrations, and explored other groundbreaking AI initiatives.

One of the day's highlights was the team's presentation in the main session on Public Administration and Public Good. Maria Claudia Bodino, BDTI Project Officer, shared insights into how BDTI is enabling smarter, data-driven systems in the public sector. Her presentation, alongside others, raised the interest of many attendees, who visited the BDTI stand afterwards to learn more about the BDTI data journey and how it could support their projects.

On November 19th, in the afternoon, BDTI hosted a dynamic and interactive workshop titled "Empowering Regions and Cities to Reuse Data for Innovation with the Big Data Test Infrastructure (BDTI)." The session attracted attendees from various municipalities and NGOs, creating a diverse and engaging audience.

The workshop started with an introduction, briefly presented BDTI, and showed how to build a case study using the CANVA methodology. The second part shifted the focus to real mobility use cases and the challenges public administrations face today. Participants were divided into groups tasked with designing a mobility use case using the CANVA framework to foster creative thinking and gain some hands-on experience tackling public issues with data. Each group presented their innovative ideas, which ranged from reducing bus and truck traffic in urban areas to improving mobility for individuals with disabilities.

These examples showcase how open data and robust data infrastructure, such as BDTI, play a crucial role in driving meaningful change and innovation for the public good. Considering how successful this session was, more workshops will take place online.

The conference focused on the AI act's major underpinnings and outcomes, especially on how AI can transform society and address major challenges. Conversations with public administrations, NGOs, and academics showed that while using AI responsibly can be challenging, it also offers vast potential for positive change. If used effectively, AI could significantly improve everyday life for citizens.

If you'd like to know more about BDTI and how it can help drive data-driven decisions, contact the team and learn more below.

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