On June 9^th, the GOSC team successfully convened a DBAR-DATA Session entitled "Data and AI for Sustained Earth Development" during the 9th Digital Belt and Road Conference 2025 in Chengdu, China, and virtually. Facilitated by the GOSC IPO, this session is co-organized by representatives from CNIC, CAS, CODATA IDPC, AIR, CAS, and Nanjing University.

This hybrid data session featured provocative presentations that explored the transformative role of data, AI, and open science in advancing sustainable development. Among these, Dr. Pankaj Kumar introduced “GeoAl, Geoprivacy and Academic freedom and Ethics in IGU”. Prof. Jianhui Li demonstrated how AI techniques, such as large language models, could be used to monitor the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Francis P. Crawley, Chair of CODATA's International Data Policy Committee, emphasized the importance of developing robust ethical frameworks to guide the responsible use of data and AI in support of SDGs. Dr. Long Zhao of AIR, CAS, and Dr. Shuai Gao from CBAS showcased how to manage AI-enabled remote sensing for SDGs research and development.

These talks collectively highlighted the transformative potential of integrating Big Data and AI technologies with sustainable development efforts, along with policy and ethical considerations. Finally, the GOSC IPO representative invited all participants to engage in further dialogue regarding the International Symposium on Open Science Cloud 2025. It will advance the conversation about data and AI for Open Science and the SDGs, which is scheduled for early September.

Besides, this year marks the 10th anniversary of the DBAR Program, and the Executive Director of GOSC IPO, Dr. Zhang Lili, has been nominated as one of the new co-chairs for the DBAR data WG. This presents new opportunities to strengthen the alignment between different programs and initiatives, thereby enhancing the fulfillment of Open Science and SDG research and development in various regions and domains. (Photo credits: DBAR)

DBAR data session

DBAR WG co-chair representatives