What to expect
Innovation You Can Experience.
What happens when cutting-edge research meets real-world challenges?
At UpToGATE 2026, you’ll discover the answer.
Join researchers, technology innovators, business leaders, and public-sector representatives for a day where data and AI move beyond theory and into action.
As a European research and innovation hub, GATE connects scientific excellence, advanced technologies, and cross-sector partnerships to accelerate digital transformation.
This is where ideas become applications, research meets industry, and new partnerships begin.
Step Inside the City of Tomorrow
Explore digital twins and smarter urban planning through an interactive 3D demonstration.
Smarter Healthcare, Powered by Data
Discover AI, remote sensing, and real-time patient monitoring applications.
Rethinking Urban Mobility
Explore CityRythm and data-driven solutions for smarter cities.
AI, Trust & Information Resilience
Discover how AI-powered tools support information analysis and societal resilience.
Connecting Data Across Europe
Discover trusted data ecosystems enabling innovation across sectors.
Key Themes
How the AI Act is shaping innovation, compliance, and trust.
Trusted, sovereign data sharing as a driver of cross-sector innovation.
Applied research in Future Cities, Digital Health, and Intelligent Government.
Scaling AI and data innovation through business adoption and investment.
From Research to Market. From Potential to Impact.
Innovation creates value when it reaches the people and organisations that can use it.
At UpToGATE 2026, researchers, businesses, and public institutions come together to explore how technology can address real needs and create new opportunities.
Real Stories. Real Results.
Discover successful collaborations and practical applications of AI and data technologies.
Conversations That Matter.
Hear industry and public-sector perspectives on emerging challenges and future technology needs.
Connections That Open Doors.
Meet potential partners and explore opportunities for technology adoption, joint development, and innovation.
Growth Opportunities
Discover how compliance-ready AI and data strategies can fuel your business.
Join Us at UpToGATE 2026!
Speakers
Agenda
09:30 – 09:40| Welcome Address
Prof. Sylvia Ilieva, Director, GATE Institute
Part I: Why Data Spaces Matter for Europe
09:45–10:15 | Opening Keynote
Europe’s Vision for Data Spaces and Digital Sovereignty
Speaker to be announced
PART II: Data Spaces in Action: From Sectoral Initiatives to Interoperable Ecosystems
10:15–10:25 | Common European Mobility Data Space
Sofia Use Cases on Low-Carbon Mobility and Walkability
Speakers: prof. Desislava Petrova-Antonova
10:25–10:45 | Data Space for Positive Energy Districts
European Data Space for Smart Communities – Sofia Pilot of Data Space for Positive Energy Districts
Speakers: prof. Desislava Petrova-Antonova; Iva Krasteva, PhD
10:45–11:00 | Coffee Break
11:00–11:15 | Regional Smart Health Data Space
Speaker: Radoslav Rizov, GATE Institute
11:15–11:30 | Enabling Trusted and Adaptive Data Sharing
Speakers: Petar Tomov, PhD; Iva Krasteva, PhD
11:30–11:50 | Interoperable Data Ecosystems with Ethics and Compliance in the Loop
Speakers: Rafiqul Haque PhD (University of Galway), Nikolay Nikolov PhD (SINTEF), Ivo Emanuilov, GATE
11:50–12:00 | Data Spaces Training
Speaker: Prof. Sylvia Ilieva, GATE Institute
12:00–13:00 | Strategic Discussion
How can Europe move from isolated data repositories and sectoral data spaces to trusted, interoperable ecosystems that create economic and societal value?
Moderator: Radoslav Rizov, GATE Institute
Connect with fellow participants, exchange ideas and explore opportunities for collaboration.
PART I: Research Creating Impact Project Showcase Session
14:00–14:20 | Opening Keynote
Application of AI and Data in Business
Speaker: Venelin Kovachev, GATE Institute
14:20–14:35 | AI and Data for Healthcare
Speakers: Georgi Petkov / Simeon Karpuzov, GATE Institute
14:35–14:50 | What the City Living Lab Sees, and What It Doesn’t Yet
Speaker: Kalin Kostadinov, GATE Institute
14:50–15:05 | Dual-Use Innovation and Adoption: NATO DIANA and Ally1
Speaker: Borislav Bankov, PhD, GATE Institute
15:05–15:20 | Beyond Detection: AI, Trust and the Information Environment (BROD)
Speaker: Keith Kiely, GATE Institute
15:50–16:20 | Success Stories: Innovation in Practice
Moderator: George Randelov, GATE Institute
16:20–17:00 | Strategic Forum Discussion
From Research to Market: Creating Value Through Innovation
Moderator: George Randelov, GATE Institute
Interactive 3D City Model Demonstration
GATE Visualisation Lab
Register here
UpToGATE 2026: Powered by Data is the flagship event of the GATE Institute at Sofia University.
GATE develops research capacity and potential in Big Data and Artificial Intelligence, cultivating the next generation of leading scientists by expanding the existing research network and establishing long-term agreements with leading global organizations.
The Project “Big Data for Smart Society” (GATE) is funded by Horizon 2020 Teaming programme and Operational Programme “Research, Innovation and Digitalisation for Intelligent Transformation“ 2021-2027 y., co-funded by the European Union