Digital expansion and the rise of online life have turned everyday tasks into challenges. The battle over ever-growing streams of data is intense, with large tech firms often holding the advantage. Europe has explored a new answer through an initiative called Gaiaworks, which aims to create expansive data fields that you can use safely and with clear control. In this vision, participation is voluntary and governed by robust safeguards.
The objective is to ensure fair access to high-quality data for anyone who seeks it and to unlock fresh business opportunities that fuel both economic growth and social progress. The goal is to ease entry to this new digital resource for a thriving data economy.
Gaia’s mission centers on setting technological standards and boosting the infrastructure that enables data flows within markets. Over the last two days, national centers of the initiative gathered in Alicante, at Casa Mediterráneo, to share progress and help the public understand why this work matters.
From mobility to farming
Consider how many key elements are analyzed. French transport operators are already participating in this data exchange, which streamlines flight operations and improves service quality. The same data can raise agricultural productivity by incorporating supermarket consumption patterns, weather signals, and other relevant factors.
Vice President Calviño joined the meeting remotely as part of the conversation. Pilar Cortés.
During a public Q&A session, Gaia’s CEO, Ulrich Ahle, highlighted the benefits of fair data exchange for everyone, from major companies to end consumers. He noted that Germany recently shifted away from nuclear power, increasing reliance on renewables such as wind and sun, supported by smaller, more distributed generation. Demand for clean energy continues to rise, reinforcing the need for better data tools.
“We need tools—and data fields are those tools—to manage consumption, not just production. A simple example: my electric car would charge when sun or wind is abundant. This is only feasible with digital solutions built on data fields”, he explained.
Half of Alicante’s car sales in September were hybrids or mains electricity powered
Beyond existing exchanges, the goal is to regulate the data market so that data remains reliable and of high quality. This reliability is critical for training the algorithms behind artificial intelligence. If the data is safe, the algorithms will be reliable as well.
During the event attended by the head of the Spanish center, Gaia’s leadership—Daniel Saez, and the chief technology officer, Pierre Gronlier—along with the organization’s president, Catherine Jestin, reiterated the core message: Europe must achieve broad adoption of its standards and values to build a fair data market. The team believes these standards will prove economically advantageous and accelerate widespread use across industries.