Helsinki (Finland), November 14–15, 2024: On November 14 and 15, 2024, leading experts, industry representatives, and innovators gathered in Helsinki to shape the future of collaborative data spaces and modern cloud infrastructures. The 5th Gaia-X Summit, under the theme “Empowering Global Data Spaces – Shaping Tomorrow’s Cloud Infrastructure,” provided a platform to celebrate technological advancements, foster global collaboration, and drive the next phase of digital transformation.
A key highlight of the summit was the unveiling of the new Gaia-X Digital Clearing House (GXDCH) components under the release name Loire. These innovative tools automate compliance with the Gaia-X Compliance Document 24.06, providing organizations with a trusted foundation for leveraging data spaces. Additionally, the various dimensions of interoperability enabled by Gaia-X were showcased: the Compliance Document ensures clear frameworks at the legal and organizational levels, while the Architecture Document addresses semantic and technical aspects. This comprehensive approach facilitates efficient and secure data exchange, laying the groundwork for trusted collaborations.
One of the most remarkable moments was the presentation of the first non-European test environment for the Gaia-X Digital Clearing House in Japan. This pilot project highlights Gaia-X’s role in driving globalization and building international partnerships to establish global standards for data spaces. At the same time, national data strategies within Europe took center stage.
Representatives from Spain, France, Austria, Poland, and Norway demonstrated how their initiatives are fostering sustainable growth and accelerating digital transformation. Jan Fischer, head of the Gaia-X Hub Germany, emphasized the importance of integrating companies more effectively into the data economy to secure their long-term competitiveness. (Quote Jan Fischer; Source: Gaia-X Hub Germany)
In addition to technological and strategic discussions, the summit highlighted practical use cases. During the session “Gaia-X Voices: Use Case Testimonials,” representatives from various sectors shared how Gaia-X has already been successfully implemented in real-world projects. The Gaia-X B2B Marketplace offered fascinating insights into bridging the gap between market demands and technological possibilities. The program was further enriched by interactive workshops, where participants engaged directly with the Gaia-X Tech Team and leading figures such as CTO Christoph F. Strandl.
The Gaia-X lighthouse project COOPERANTS, focused on creating a shared data space for the aerospace industry, leveraged the summit to experience the progress of the Gaia-X community firsthand. Particular attention was given to new developments surrounding the Gaia-X Digital Clearing House (GXDCH). These technologies are vital components for enabling seamless exchanges of complex, heterogeneous data and fostering efficient digital collaboration.
A Milestone for Aerospace: Gaia-X Digital Clearing House by neusta aerospace
A standout moment was the unveiling of neusta aerospace’s proprietary Gaia-X Digital Clearing House — GXDCH – Neusta Aerospace. As the first Clearing House developed by an aerospace actor within the consortium, this innovation represents a significant step forward for the industry.
Arno Scheidereiter, CEO of neusta aerospace and a leading member of the COOPERANTS consortium, summarized from an SME perspective:
“During the event, we discussed the urgent need for data spaces, the future of the data economy, and digital transformation strategies. There is a clear consensus that these systems must be open-source, free from vendor lock-in, scalable, and governed by a federated, shared model. At the same time, we highlighted the aerospace sector, which is far more than just manufacturing, energy, and location data. It is the nexus where all these areas converge. Without it, there would be no mobile phones, GPS, or efficient global transport systems, to name just a few examples. Applying advancements from Gaia-X and data spaces to a global economic driver like the aerospace industry demonstrates how these innovations can boost efficiency while lowering market entry barriers for SMEs. This transformative approach opens new possibilities for a collaborative and sustainable future in the aerospace industry.”
In conclusion, the Gaia-X Summit 2024 in Helsinki showcased the vital importance of cross-industry and cross-border collaboration in driving sustainable and efficient digitalization. With clear objectives and an ambitious roadmap for 2025, Gaia-X reaffirmed its role as a trailblazer for modern data ecosystems. The showcased innovations, global expansion, and strong European collaboration marked a pivotal step towards a connected digital future where data is utilized more efficiently and sustainably across industries.
