The explosive AI development proves that the establishment of GIO in 2018 was the right move. GIO has since served as an important platform where we can discuss the pace, framework, standards, interconnection, and interoperability of digital transformation. Digital transformation, and in particular AI enablement for industries, has created tremendous momentum for the digital economy. Over the next one to two years, AI foundation models will combine industry know-how with AI capabilities to translate experience into science, enabling numerous industries and propelling the digital transformation of these industries. The openness, security, and trustworthiness of data are closely related to the development of industry-specific foundation models. Because of this, the 13th GIO Roundtable discussing topics on these matters will set a key milestone in the digitalization journeys of industries.

In China, we look at data and data drivers from the perspectives of production functions and factors, as well as the far-reaching significance of data for digital transformation. To unleash the value of data elements, we believe a golden triangle of systems, markets, and technology assurance needs to be built so that data can benefit humanity and promote sustainable economic and social development.

The product carbon footprint (PCF) has become a new “currency” to deal with when creating value in data spaces. The digital product passport (DPP4.0) is evolving as core building block for data tracing along value chains in case of highly integrated products and manufacturing skills offered as services in new marketplaces. Manufacturing as a Service (MAAS) applications are very attractive for small and medium enterprises as they open the world for flexible production generating new market opportunities.

The pace of the “Data Element X” development in China coincidentally matches the World Health Organization’s agenda. Building an ecosystem that harnesses digital technologies for people’s health is critical to realizing the One Digital Health vision. The WHO has proposed four key actions that will improve the quality and availability of health data: national coordination, enhanced monitoring, data sharing, and creating a data-driven culture.

The 13th GIO Roundtable comes very timely. Vehicles are no more standalone mobility instruments. They are interconnected with a broader ecosystem such as the connectivity industry, the energy sector, the urban mobility ecosystem and many more. Software defined vehicles truly connect the dots across the ecosystem. The potential of data sharing is no theory anymore. Data availability and accessibility from vehicles and infrastructure contribute to the sustainability agenda with a new impetus for enhanced safety, comfort, productivity and efficiency overall.

Trustful data sharing takes place in data spaces, where participants share one common trust framework. The key to data spaces is the data connector. We are now working on bringing the data space protocol 1.0 via ISO into the global standard. With more contributors, the protocol and its open source implementations will improve. I hope you’ll join us in this journey as a data space pioneer.

The digital product passport is crucial and it fulfils regulatory compliance, maximizes product transparency and enable circular economy. The magic behind accurate data exchange lies in the shared infrastructure of data spaces. One infrastructure means we all share the same components, but we exchange data only between two parties. You’re more than welcome to join it and work on these components.

While most enterprises have recognized the need to work within wider business ecosystems, they can lack the skills to select, develop and govern these ecosystems in a profitable fashion. The TM Forum has created an Ecosystem Modelling framework to tackle these challenges for the Telco industry. This created an industry platform that provides a blueprint to accelerate and de-risk the innovation stages of concept to design for new business opportunities.