Open Science Conference shows: Trustworthy AI requires open and traceable data
Kiel/Hamburg, 16 October 2025: The ZBW – Leibniz Information Centre for Economics and the Leibniz Strategy Forum Open Science hosted the International Open Science Conference in Hamburg on 8 and 9 October 2025. Around 235 participants from 27 countries discussed current developments in the Open Science movement and their significance for the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI).
From 8 to 9 October 2025, 235 participants from 27 countries gathered in Hamburg and virtually at the Open Science Conference to discuss open science in action. This year's conference focused on the theme of ‘Open Science and Artificial Intelligence’.
The conference highlighted how open science can help make AI systems more transparent, traceable and thus more trustworthy. Researchers, infrastructure providers and policy makers exchanged views on opportunities, challenges and concrete solutions to further strengthen openness and traceability in the context of AI.
Key observations from the contributions were:
- Trustworthy AI requires trustworthy data. Research can only be reliable if data is openly accessible, interoperable and machine-readable. The implementation of the FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) was highlighted as a crucial factor.
- Open data and AI must be considered together. The conference showed that the connection between the two areas is essential for advancing scientific innovation and ensuring the long-term quality of research.
- Open Science must be seen as a framework for responsible AI development. Transparency, reproducibility and traceability were identified as guidelines for strengthening trust in AI-based research.
"Trustworthy AI can only be created on the basis of open and FAIR data. Openness creates transparency and traceability, while FAIR principles ensure that the data used is findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable. This is the only way to make AI traceable, which is a prerequisite for building lasting trust in AI systems," emphasised Prof. Dr Klaus Tochtermann, Director of the ZBW – Leibniz Information Centre for Economics and host of the Open Science Conference.
In addition to specialist presentations and keynotes, the conference offered numerous discussion and solution sessions in which international experts explored issues relating to data infrastructure, legal frameworks and research practices in the context of open science and AI.
Take a look back at the Open Science Conference 2025 with us:
About the Open Science Conference:
The Open Science Conference is an annual international conference on the open science movement. It provides a forum for researchers, data experts, librarians, practitioners, infrastructure providers, policy makers and other key players to discuss current and future developments in the field of Open Science. The Open Science Conference is hosted by the Leibniz Strategy Forum Open Science and organised under the direction of the ZBW – Leibniz Information Centre for Economics.
