Report from the Data Space Symposium 10 and 11 February 2026, Madrid

With the realization of a Basic Data Infrastructure (BDI), the Netherlands is creating a logistics ecosystem in which participants can share data with one another in a standardized way. Across Europe, many countries are also working on similar initiatives. These collaborative environments for data sharing are referred to as “Data Spaces.”

The development of these Data Spaces, ideally enabling them to exchange data with one another as well, is supported by many (European) governments, research institutes (such as TNO), and companies. Each year, a European Data Space Symposium (DSS) is organized where these stakeholders come together to discuss progress and developments. On 10 and 11 February 2026, the symposium took place in Madrid, with more than 1,000 participants in attendance.

Over the past few years, increasing experience has been gained in establishing Data Spaces. Through the European Data Strategy, the European Commission has outlined the strategic contours of this new way of creating value. In the first pilots across several countries, important questions have arisen, including governance (what agreements do we make regarding the standards we use?) and the business model (how will we generate revenue?).

Key initiatives in other European countries, comparable to the development of the BDI, include Catena-X (Germany, the automotive industry) and EONA-X (France, the mobility domain).

During the DSS, presentations built on these experiences and a number of key themes were discussed:

1. The European Commission continues to actively support the realization of Data Spaces. In the logistics domain, this means establishing a European Mobility Data Space. Within this Data Space, European (logistics) stakeholders should, in the longer term, be able to share data with one another in an efficient and secure way. Applications such as improved visibility in the logistics chain and a uniform implementation of the upcoming eFTI regulation will then come within reach.
2. Naturally, the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) was also discussed. If users within Data Spaces are able to share data efficiently, this provides an excellent foundation for applying AI in logistics processes. Consider, for example, the ability to work with different scenarios based on insights into the logistics chain. AI is still in its early stages; nevertheless, many initiatives at the European level are expected in the coming years to test the application of AI within Data Spaces.
3. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will also need access to the infrastructure of Data Spaces. This topic received considerable attention at the symposium. A number of European commercial parties—IT infrastructure providers, some originating from the telecom sector—have launched a joint initiative to design a low-threshold standard so that access to a Data Space can be made as simple as possible.

In general, the agenda of the Data Space Symposium reflected the continued development of the concept of secure data sharing between organizations. Over the past year, there has been increased attention for AI applications—as expected—and greater involvement from larger commercial parties. With the development of the BDI and the establishment of well-functioning living labs in the Netherlands, we are playing an active role in this new world of value creation through collaboration and data sharing.

_{Author: Jon Kuiper}