From June 10 to 13, 2025, representatives of the Latvian Data Stewards Network – Līna Lāže and Agate Jarmakoviča – participated in the 14th International Conference on Data Science, Technology and Applications (DATA 2025), organised annually by the Institute for Information, Control and Communication Systems and Technologies (INSTICC). This year, the conference brought together more than 300 participants from 41 countries at the University of Deusto in Bilbao. This is one of the most prestigious events in data science, where it is possible to gain significant insight into innovations in research data management, as well as data quality improvement and automation.
During the three- ay conference, data stewards gained deeper knowledge about international trends in data management and the practical implementation of FAIR data principles in various countries and institutions. Examples of European best practices in data sharing and documentation, using innovative technologies in data quality improvement and automation, were presented.
Special attention was paid to dynamic modelling in big data and the transformation of digital health. They depicted the latest opportunities in applying machine learning in medicine, where artificial intelligence models achieved around 90% accuracy in diagnosing various diseases and predicting health outcomes.
There was also a discussion on compliance with ethical principles and challenges in the modern digital environment. The event analysed data protection and privacy in accordance with European Union regulations, where the most striking examples of good practice applied a federated machine learning approach that does not provide for the sharing of sensitive data but only shares the parameters of data models.
Participation in the DATA 2025 conference helps to develop responsible and modern data management in Latvia. The experience gained will be used to improve existing data management methods, as well as to harmonise current standards with European practices. The established professional connections with colleagues from other European countries are also important. State investments in education, research and technology development create a favourable environment for the development of data science and management.
