The Future of Open Data, Online Conference – Open Knowledge Foundation

To celebrate Open Data Day 2026, the Open Knowledge Foundation (OKFN) is hosting an online conference to bring the open data community together for a celebration of two decades of CKAN, the tool that was born from OKFN work and today powers data portals all over the World. We will also discuss what is the role of open data and data infrastructures today, vis-à-vis the current technical and political landscape.

We invite anyone working with open data in government, civil society organisations, newsrooms, activist collectives, and all practitioners interested in discussing the future of open data in this rapidly changing tech landscape.

As AI tools are rapidly taking a central role in how people search for and use information, we are gathering to reflect on what we have learned and share what we are currently working on, and our collective vision of a future. Join us!

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More details on speakers will follow.

10:00 UTC	Opening & Panel 1 Navigating Open Data Regulation for the Public Interest This panel will focus on the policy and governance dimension of open data in the age of AI — from data access and licensing to accountability, procurement, and digital public infrastructure.
11:00 UTC	Lightning Talks & Demos 1 Short presentations from projects working on open data and AI. These may include new tools, pilots, and experiments from across the ecosystem. 📣 Open Call – Submit Your Proposal
12:00 UTC	Break
13:00 UTC	Panel 2 CKAN at 20: The Future of Open Data in the Era of AI This session will reflect on two decades of CKAN: how it has evolved, how the community has grown, and what priorities are emerging now. It will explore how open data initiatives are responding to the trend of AI and the ethical, societal and technical challenges that lie ahead. We welcome contributions from partners and organisations connected to the CKAN ecosystem.
14:00 UTC	Lightning Talks & Demos 2 Short presentations from projects working on open data and AI. These may include new tools, pilots, and experiments from across the ecosystem. 📣 Open Call – Submit Your Proposal
15:00 UTC	Closing Remarks

This is an open online event free of charge. We welcome registrations from everyone who is interested in taking a critical look at current technologies.

Register now ↗

For questions and queries regarding the programme or any aspect of registration process, please contact info@okfn.org.

The Future of Open Data is organised by:

The Open Knowledge Foundation (OKFN) is the world’s ultimate reference in open digital infrastructures and the hub of the open movement. As a global not-for-profit, we have been establishing and advocating for open standards for the last 20 years. OKFN is the organisation behind the Open Definition, Open Data Commons, School of Data, and tools like CKAN, Frictionless Data and the Open Data Editor. We provide services, tools and training for institutions to adopt openness as a design principle.

Open Data Day (ODD) is an annual celebration of open data all over the world. Groups from many countries create local events on the day where they will use open data in their communities. ODD is led by the Open Knowledge Foundation (OKFN) and the Open Knowledge Network.

As a way to increase the representation of different cultures, we offer the opportunity for organisations to host an Open Data Day event on the best date over one week. In 2025, it is happening from March 7-13. All outputs are open for everyone to use and re-use.

We are celebrating 20 years of CKAN with various activities throughout 2026.