On Tuesday, April 29, 2026, the D.A.R. Continuum conference took place at CIIRC CTU, bringing together topics of open data, artificial intelligence, automation, and robotics. The full-day event gathered researchers, representatives of academic institutions, policymakers, and industry experts to discuss how data and AI are increasingly transforming both modern research and the operation of autonomous systems. The conference was organized in cooperation with the Czech Academy of Sciences, the OP JAK AMULET project, and CIIRC CTU, with support from the RICAIP, ROBOPROX, and ELLIOT projects.
The conference was opened by the event organizer, Michal Trčka from CIIRC CTU, who then handed over the floor to Martin Kalbáč from the J. Heyrovský Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences and Josef Lazar from the Scientific Council of the Czech Academy of Sciences. The opening block, Science for AI and AI for Science, explored the relationship between science and artificial intelligence. The discussion, moderated by Juraj Hvorecký, offered perspectives from experts in computer science, automation, and information theory. Speakers included Jan Šedivý from CIIRC CTU, Barbara Zitová from the Institute of Information Theory and Automation of the Czech Academy of Sciences, and Martin Víta from the Institute of Computer Science of the Czech Academy of Sciences.
The morning program continued with the section The Continuum Linking Data, AI, and Autonomous Systems, which focused on the practical integration of data infrastructures, artificial intelligence, and autonomous technologies. During the block moderated by Marek Cebecauer from the J. Heyrovský Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Tilman Becker, Zdeněk Hanzálek, Petr Kadera, and Vladimír Petrik from CIIRC CTU presented the RICAIP, ROBOPROX, and ELLIOT projects, as well as the activities of the CIIRC Intelligent Systems Department. The discussion demonstrated how rapidly research is moving from data processing toward systems capable of autonomous decision-making and interaction with real-world environments.
The afternoon program featured keynote lectures by Patrick Lambrix from Linköping University and Maciej Haranczyk from IMDEA. The following panel, From Research Labs and Offices to the Semantic Web and Self-Driving Systems, addressed topics such as knowledge graphs, research data management, and the application of AI in the humanities and archaeology. The discussion also included Michal Tarana from the J. Heyrovský Institute of Physical Chemistry and David Novák from the Institute of Archaeology of the Czech Academy of Sciences.
The final block, Responsible Research and Data Production in the Age of AI, opened broader societal and ethical questions connected to the rise of AI technologies. Moderator Tereza Stöckelová led a discussion with Michalea Liegertová, Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Science at Jan Evangelista Purkyně University, and Jaroslav Anděl on responsible research, data governance, and the transformation of scientific work in the era of autonomous systems. The program also included a participatory discussion inspired by the format of a deliberative online forum.
The conference also offered an accompanying program. Participants had the opportunity to visit the RICAIP Testbed Prague, and an installation from the exhibition of conceptual artist Jaroslav Anděl, AI & PREDECESSORS – Between Facts and Values, was displayed on-site. The program also featured the lecture BIS – Cybersecurity Threats in the Era of AI.
The event was organized in cooperation with the Czech Academy of Sciences, CIIRC CTU, and the OP JAK AMULET project, with support from the RICAIP, ROBOPROX, and ELLIOT projects. The conference was held under the auspices of the Chairman and the Scientific Council of the Czech Academy of Sciences and supported by the AV21 Strategy, ACADEMIX, and the Open Science Department of the Library of the Czech Academy of Sciences. Media partners included the Vědavýzkum.cz portal, Vesmír magazine, and Academix revue.
You can view how the entire event unfolded in our photo gallery below.
