EDIH Network Summit 2024

SPACE4Cities will attend the second edition of the EDIH Network Summit 2024 on 26 and 27 November at The Egg in Brussels. This annual event will gather “key stakeholders from the European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIH) network, including representatives from various thematic working groups, national authorities, and expert groups. The summit aims to provide first-rate information on key topics such as AI challenges as well as to facilitate in-depth discussions on practical topics through good practices for digital transformation and innovative solutions” across sectors like construction, cybersecurity, and smart connectivity.

Outcomes of the SPACE4Cities’ Open Market Consultation (OMC) highlighted the role of AI to innovate and to enhance the current state-of-the-art of space applications: downscaling techniques, change detection, image processing, digital twins, city modelling are some innovative tools that can make use of both AI and space applications. Potential providers also emphasised the interrelated expertise between AI and space data and services, as around 70% of consulted providers stated to have skills in AI, a figure as high as for Earth observation (EO) skills.

Regarding digital transformation, SPACE4Cities expects to meet potential providers that use space applications to transform processes in public sector organisations (PSOs) like cities, including in GIS or operational city departments like urban planning, mobility, climate action, green space management or water management.

Lastly, the Summit will also be an opportunity to inform potential providers about the upcoming Call for tenders and to assess how other innovative technologies and EU regulations could be used in SPACE4Cities.