Summer isn´t over yet, but we are already preparing a bunch of interesting events to look forward to this fall and winter
As Open Search Foundation we are on a mission to educate on the multifold implications of free and open web search, open data, artificial intelligence, as well as ethics in search. We are hence hosting and co-hosting a couple of events this year, that we would like to draw your attention to:
#FWSD24 – FreeWebSearchDay is going into its second year with exciting interactive actions and events happening on September 29 and the surrounding days and week.
➡More info and how you can partake and support this special day https://freewebsearch.org/
As part of FreeWebSearchDay, we are offering an online presentation in cooperation with Mücke Roth & Company and BMW Foundation Herbert Quandt on 30 September. The topic: A comprehensive study on the market potential of #OpenWebSeach in Europe. The study is part of the OpenWebSearch.eu third-party community programme.
#ossym24 – The 6th international OpenSearchSymposium takes place from Oct 9-11 at Leibniz Supercomputing Centre near Munich. Speakers include Roberto Viola – Director General, Communications Networks, Content and Technology, European Commission , Dr. Martin Andree – Media Scientist and Bestselling Author and Richard Socher – CEO at you.com.
Participation is free, with 100 on-site spots available. The hybrid event will also be streamed.
➡ All infos and sign up link: https://opensearchfoundation.org/en/events-osf/ossym24/
Last not least, we are hosting an Ethics in Search event with results from our working group in Berlin in November this year. Updates will follow, so make sure to stay tuned;)
📍To stay in the loop on further events, make sure to sign up to our events newsletter here.
https://opensearchfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/osf-event-alert.jpg6421346OSF Teamhttps://opensearchfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/18-12-open-search-foundation-logo-petrol.pngOSF Team2024-08-09 14:19:262024-12-16 19:38:385 autumn/winter 2024 events to mark in your calendar
With 100 on-site spots available, this year’s #ossym24 will take place as a hybrid format at Leibniz Supercomputing Centre in Garching near Munich and online.
Registration via our committee partner CERN is open now. If you sign up, this is what you can expect:
Thought leaders in web search and Artificial Intelligence from all around Europe
From 9- 11 October 2024, the #ossym will again unite researchers, data analysts, computer scientists, tech companies, but also policy makers, legal and ethical experts, and society. The sixth International Open Search Symposium will provide a forum to discuss and advance ideas and concepts of Open Internet Search, with a focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI), Search Applications and Technologies, legal and ethical aspects of Open Web Search as well as insights into the topic Wiki/Curation.
Keynotes on ethical, societal and economic issues in the Digital Information Age
The #ossym24 will feature keynotes on digital (un)sovereignty in the areas of Information Retrieval, Web Search and AI. Roberto Viola is Director General, Communications Networks, Content and Technology at the European Comission. He will speak to the importance of Open Web Search and a quest for digital sovereignty in Europe. Bestselling Author, Media Scientist and University Lecturer Martin Andree will talk about „The Internet of monopolies. How we are taking back the net“. Richard Socher – CEO at You.com will present the innovative AI-extended search engine that implemented LLMs even pre-ChatGPT.
#ossym24 brings you research sessions on „Preprocessing and ML for Search“ as well as „LLMs, RAG and NER“
2 Parallel Session tracks cover cutting edge study results and paper findings surrounding Retrieval Augmented Generation and Scientific Knowledge Graphs for Scientific purposes, Scientific Summary Creation through LLMs, Grammar Rules for Textgeneration and more.
Science Tracks surrounding OpenWebSearch.eu
Research tracks of the symposium will include a Lightweight Approach to Crawling, OWLer for distributed and collaborative Open Web Crawling, Federated Data Infrastructure for Open Web Search and Open Console insights.
Information and Registration
The #ossym24 will be hosted – in person and online – by the Leibniz Supercomputing Centre in Garching near Munich from 9th to 11th October. Participation is free of charge with only 100 on-site seats available.
Find all information on sign up: https://opensearchfoundation.org/en/events-osf/ossym24/
The Open Search Foundation e.V. is a European movement to create the foundation for independent, free and self-determined access to information on the Internet. In cooperation with research institutions, computer centres and other partners, we’re committed to searching the web in a way that benefits everyone. Motto: „Together for a Better Net“.
Contact :
Open Search Foundation e.V. – OSF
Christine Plote
https://opensearchfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/24-10-ossym24-Q-01.png16001600OSF Teamhttps://opensearchfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/18-12-open-search-foundation-logo-petrol.pngOSF Team2024-07-15 16:07:202024-08-08 14:25:49Registration for 6th Symposium on Open Search – #ossym24 is open!
Freedom of information and democracy require open access to online resources. The #FreeWebSearch Day on 29 September brings this topic to the table bundling participatory actions online and offline.
In 2023 the Open Search Foundation (OSF) brought to life the International #FreeWebSearchDay, which on 29 September each year stands for free and transparent internet search: Via the #FWSD website people are invited to participate and advocate for a free web.
“#FreeWebSearchDay unites all people wishing to stand up for free web search. Its main target is to support an open and transparent internet search. The action day highlights the strong influence internet search has on all of us – and why its freedom and transparency are key to our democracies”, says Christine Plote, co-founder and member of the board at OSF.
“For events surrounding 29 September 2024, we are looking for fellow campaigners from companies, schools, universities and civil society organisations. Therefore, we are collecting events, talks and actions across Europe around open internet search.”
Intransparent information: A core problem
#FreeWebSearch Day on 29 September is all about raising awareness for the overwhelming power of major search engine providers. Worldwide, about 90 percent of internet users trust Google when they search the internet for information they need for work, education, lifestyle, hobbies or purchases (Quelle: gs.Statcounter.com). However, these corporations do not disclose their search indexes or algorithms. They keep in the dark, firstly, how their results come about and, secondly, what criteria are used to list them. What it all comes down to: A few profit-oriented tech companies determine what information we build upon and thus shape public opinion.
Why web search requires our immediate attention
Search is not a private matter! The major search engines also hide what personal data they collect from users when they search and retrieve results. It is not clear how they store, use or market this personal data. All we know is that the data is processed for advertising purposes, because advertising is the search companies’ main business model. Pointing out these connections, drawing attention to the consequences of the existing lack of transparency in web search, a lack of privacy protection and, above all, highlighting alternative solutions are additional goals of the international #FreeWebSearch Day on 29 September.
“Many internet users still think that search results at the top of their results list are good, correct and trustworthy, even though they cannot know the criteria of the rankings,” states Christine Plote. However, freedom of information is the most important foundation of a functioning democracy. There is still a huge lack of knowledge on how search results come about and are ranked or how a search engine will know, what is in a picture. “Surprisingly, we seem to accept a high degree of digital illiteracy in this respect. Yet, it is high time that search and the evaluation of search results become part of the curricula of schools or universities, training and further education”, the co-founder of the OSF claims. In addition, schools and companies should give higher priority to hot topics, such as the impacts on online search by artificial intelligence, the new text generators or Large Language Models (LLMs).
Actions, lectures, hackathons: Ideas wanted
For #FreeWebSearch Day 2024 on 29 September contributions from as many different groups as possible are welcome: Companies, schools, universities, other educational institutions, museums or associations can contribute to with (online) lectures, discussions, participatory activities or projects. IT specialists or programmers can contribute with technical know-how and organise hackathons and more.
And everyone can help spread awareness by downloading and reposting our social media graphics and helping us spread the word.
Information and events on #FreeWebSearch Day on and around 29 September will be continuously updated at: www.FreeWebsearch.org
https://opensearchfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/fwsd24-D-events-horizontal-big.png25084800OSF Teamhttps://opensearchfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/18-12-open-search-foundation-logo-petrol.pngOSF Team2024-07-05 15:00:592024-07-05 15:09:58#FreeWebSearch Day: A day for freedom of information and democracy is headed into its second year!
Experts from research, business, NGOs, tech and civil society are tackling the issues surrounding tomorrow’s safer European web search.
– The Open Search Community meets from 9 to 11 October at the Leibniz Supercomputing Center (LRZ) in Garching – Prominent keynote speakers introduce ways to achieve digital sovereignty – Workshops and panels offer opportunities for participation and discussion
The 6th International Open Search Symposium #ossym24 invites you to discuss and promote ideas and concepts of open web search at the Leibniz Supercomputing Center of the Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities (BAdW) in Garching from 9 to 11 October, 2024. Since its launch in 2019, #ossym has provided an annual forum that brings together various players in the open search community. This year’s focus lies on Artificial Intelligence (AI), Search Applications and Technologies as well as the legal, economic and ethical aspects of open web search.
Also on the agenda: strategies for curating content and building engagement – for a collaborative internet.
Renowned Keynote Speakers provide insights on ethical, societal and economic issues
Five speakers will be giving talks and ignite discussions on hot topics in the digital information age:
Florian Herrmann, Head of the Bavarian State Chancellery and Minister of State for Federal Affairs and Media, will open the event on 9 October with a personal welcome address.
Roberto Viola is Director General for Communication Networks, Content and Technologies at the European Commission. He will comment on the great importance of open web search and the pursuit of digital sovereignty in Europe.
Martin Andree, Bestselling Author (“BIG TECH must go!”) and Media Scientist, will provide important food for thought on the subject of internet search and democracy in his talk “The Internet of monopolies. How we are taking back the net”.
Nina Leseberg, Head of Communities & Engagement at Wikimedia Deutschland, will share insights into the exciting world of community-based curation and quality assurance of Wikipedia entries.
Richard Socher, CEO of You.com, shows how artificial intelligence is changing search engines – and therefore our everyday lives.
Many players, several tracks, one forum
Several lectures within the Science Track will address the topics of
Crawling and the infrastructure,
new Search Applications and Technologies,
Data Pre-processing and Machine Learning for search as well as
Large Language Models (LLMs) and Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG)
The Industry Track is dedicated to Alternative Search Engines and new business models for finding information on the Internet.
Various sessions and workshops will address further ethical, legal and technical issues relating to different aspects of Internet use and digitization.
What the hosts are saying
“We look forward to the Open Search Community and many new impulses for better web search and use. As the host of #ossym and a long-standing supporter of Open Search, we are fully committed to transparent technologies, open web search, science and democratic values – because one cannot exist without the others.”
Dieter Kranzlmüller, Head of the Leibniz Supercomputing Centre
“Searching the internet is often the first step on the way to obtaining information and therefore a prerequisite for forming an opinion. This central process must not be controlled by a few tech companies. We believe that access to information must be open and transparent – and we are not alone in this. The Open Search Symposium is a forum for all pioneers and advocates of free internet search. Together we can make a difference and if you want to be part of it, come to #ossym.”
Stefan Voigt, Chairman of the Open Search Foundation
Information and Registration
The #ossym24 is organized by the Open Search Foundation in cooperation with the Leibniz Supercomputing Centre (LRZ) of the BAdW. The symposium will take place in a hybrid format. Registration is required for both on-site and online participation. Participation in both formats is free of charge. There are 100 places available for on-site participation at the Leibniz Supercomputing Center in Garching near Munich. Information on registration can be found at: https://opensearchfoundation.org/en/events-osf/ossym24/h Foundation e.V.
About Leibniz Supercomputing Centre
The Leibniz Supercomputing Centre of the Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities has been the competent IT partner of Munich’s universities and colleges as well as scientific institutions in Bavaria, Germany and Europe for over 60 years. It offers the complete range of IT services and technology as well as consulting and support – from e-mail and web servers to Internet access, virtual machines, cloud solutions and the Munich Scientific Network (MWN). With the supercomputer SuperMUC-NG, the LRZ is one of the leading international supercomputing centers and focuses on emerging technologies, artificial intelligence, machine learning and quantum computing in the field of future computing.
About Open Search Foundation
The Open Search Foundation e.V. is a European movement that creates the basis for independent, free and self-determined access to information on the Internet. In cooperation with research institutions, data centers and other partners, we are committed to a web search that benefits everyone. True to the motto: “Together for a better net”.
https://opensearchfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/24-10-ossym24-Q-01.png16001600OSF Teamhttps://opensearchfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/18-12-open-search-foundation-logo-petrol.pngOSF Team2024-06-30 14:41:542025-12-30 16:08:066th International Open Search Symposium #ossym24 at the Leibniz Supercomputing Center of the BAdW | Media Release
https://opensearchfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/24-03-ev-akademie-tutzing-some-graphic-Q.jpg16001600Team osfhttps://opensearchfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/18-12-open-search-foundation-logo-petrol.pngTeam osf2024-04-02 02:15:252024-12-16 19:38:38Flashback: Orientation in the digital world – conference on Google, TikTok & Co
https://opensearchfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/wows24-cfp.png9941800Team osfhttps://opensearchfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/18-12-open-search-foundation-logo-petrol.pngTeam osf2024-02-13 09:37:402024-02-13 09:34:58Cfp Deadline Extended for #wows24: Call for participation open until 28 February
https://opensearchfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/24-03-ev-akademie-tutzing-some-graphic-Q.jpg16001600Team osfhttps://opensearchfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/18-12-open-search-foundation-logo-petrol.pngTeam osf2024-02-12 00:52:572025-02-17 18:11:21“Orientierung in der Digitalen Welt” – Conference on Google, TikTok & Co
https://opensearchfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/24-03-ev-akademie-tutzing-some-graphic-Q.jpg16001600OSF Teamhttps://opensearchfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/18-12-open-search-foundation-logo-petrol.pngOSF Team2024-02-08 21:00:542025-11-17 16:26:19Register now: Orientation in the digital world – Where are Google, TikTok & Co. leading us?
Freedom of information and democracy require open access to online resources. The #FreeWebSearch Day on 29 September brings this topic to the table bundling participatory actions online and offline.
