Day 1, 12 November


Opening

Javier Galbally

Senior Research Officer

Dr. Javier Galbally has a M.Sc. degree in Electrical Engineering and a Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. He was Assistant Professor at the Universidad Autonoma de Madrid, Spain until 2012. He joined the EC – Joint Research Centre in 2013, working as Scientific Officer. He works as Senior Research Officer in eu-LISA since 2022. His research background is mainly focused on the security and performance evaluation of biometric systems, development of pattern recognition and machine learning applications, and the use of data science on large scale IT systems. He has authored more than 100 scientific publications in the field of data science that have produced over 6,000 citations. He is the chair of the EAB-RPC conference and the recipient of a number of awards and distinctions in different scientific international peer reviewed conferences.


Eu-LISA

The European Union Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice (eu-LISA) was established to provide a long-term solution for the operational management of large-scale IT systems.
The Agency currently manages Eurodac, the Schengen Information System (SIS) and the Visa Information System (VIS). Further to these, eu-LISA is developing the Entry/Exit System (EES) and the European Travel Information Authorisation System (ETIAS). These systems and the pre-existing ones are being built/adapted to ensure Interoperability – improved access to information stored in EU information systems and identity management at an EU level. In addition, the Agency’s portfolio has been enlarged within the justice domain: with the development of the European Criminal Records Information System – Third-Country Nationals (ECRIS-TCN), the management of e-CODEX and the development of the Collaboration Platform for Joint Investigation Teams (JITs).



Marili Männik

Executive Director Ad Interim

Marili Männik became eu-LISA’s Deputy Executive Director on 16 August 2024. She has also been appointed interim Executive Director by the Agency’s Management Board, a function she will hold until a new Executive Director is selected. Ms Männik is currently completing an Executive MBA at the University of Oxford. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Information Technology from Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech), a Master’s degree in International Finance from the Estonian Business School (EBS), and a dual Master’s degree in European Management from EM Strasbourg Business School.
Having spent multiple years working in Brussels and Luxembourg, and having held senior roles as Director at PwC and Senior Advisor at EY, Ms Männik brings a wealth of experience from the consulting and audit industries. Her most recent tasks and duties were in the fields of public sector management consulting and digital transformation, as well as internal firm’s management activities.


Eu-LISA

The European Union Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice (eu-LISA) was established to provide a long-term solution for the operational management of large-scale IT systems.
The Agency currently manages Eurodac, the Schengen Information System (SIS) and the Visa Information System (VIS). Further to these, eu-LISA is developing the Entry/Exit System (EES) and the European Travel Information Authorisation System (ETIAS). These systems and the pre-existing ones are being built/adapted to ensure Interoperability – improved access to information stored in EU information systems and identity management at an EU level. In addition, the Agency’s portfolio has been enlarged within the justice domain: with the development of the European Criminal Records Information System – Third-Country Nationals (ECRIS-TCN), the management of e-CODEX and the development of the Collaboration Platform for Joint Investigation Teams (JITs).



Zsolt Szolnoki

Senior High Counsellor

Mr Szolnoki currently serves as a Senior High Counsellor in the Ministry of Interior of Hungary and he is also the Chair of the Management Board of eu-LISA. As the Chair of the Board since 2018, he actively participated in the setting up of the new governing structure of the Agency. In the Ministry of Interior of Hungary, he is responsible for managing the whole Interoperability Programme including all related projects (EES, ETIA, SIS, VIS, ECRIS TCN, interoperability) in the area of the Home Affairs. Previously he worked for the Hungarian National Election Office as the Deputy Head of the Election Department and later as Head of IT department in the Ministry of Interior. From 2006 till November 2010, he worked for the European Commission as a Seconded National Expert on the area of Home Affairs. In 2011 he was the Chairman of a working group in the Hungarian EU Presidency team.


The Ministry of Interior prioritizes law and order, public safety, and the protection of life and property. Key responsibilities include maintaining law and order, preventing crime, and supporting victims. The Ministry creates a legislative framework for these tasks and oversees law enforcement bodies, including transport, border policing, corrections, and national security services. It also coordinates disaster management and prevention efforts. Additionally, the Ministry handles immigration and citizenship tasks, such as immigration security, onward migration, and social integration of foreigners and refugees. The Ministry collaborates with local authorities to oversee settlement development, planning, construction affairs, and public space supervision. Its guiding principle is to ensure the well-being and safety of citizens, while adapting to emerging challenges like extreme weather conditions and organized crime.



Session 2-A

Colin van Noordt

Researcher Algorithms & Cloud

Colin van Noordt is a Researcher in Algorithms and Cloud at the Netherlands Court of Audit. He completed his PhD on the use of AI in public administration at the Tallinn University of Technology in Estonia. During his PhD, acted as an External Expert for the AI Watch team of the European Commission, contributing to research activities on the use of AI within public services. He is author of various academic and policy publications on the opportunities and challenges of using AI in government.


Netherlands Court of Audit

The Netherlands Court of Audit is the Supreme Audit Institution of the Netherlands and an independent High Council of State, separate from the government and parliament. The Netherlands Court of Audit audits the regularity, efficiency and effectiveness of the revenue and expenditure of the Dutch central government and the institutions associated with it. The institution is one of the first Supreme Audit Institutions auditing the use of algorithms and AI by government.



Spyros Sarigiannidis

Head of Unit DIGIT.B.1 – Data, Artificial Intelligence and Web

Spyros has more than 20 years of professional experience in the domain of public administrations. He joined the Directorate General for Digital Services (DIGIT) of the European Commission in 2007 and since then he has had several distinct roles in the areas of financial rights information systems, IT security policy, and cybersecurity operations.< br /> In 2023 Spyros has been appointed head of ‘DIGIT B.1 – Data, Artificial Intelligence and Web’ unit, providing digital enablers for the transformation of the European Commission and of its ICT domain, and fostering the innovation at corporate level through the management of the digital innovation policy framework. His key priorities include the implementation of the AI@EC strategy, the delivery of digital services in the areas of data and artificial intelligence, and the overall evolution of the service offering of DIGIT B.1 to contribute to the creation of a single digital government mindset, to the rethinking of policymaking, and to the optimisation of business and administrative processes in European Commission.


European Commission

The Directorate-General for Digital Services (DIGIT) aims to digitally transform European Commission, making it more efficient, agile, and effective. To achieve this, DIGIT fosters a “digital-first” mindset among its staff, encouraging innovation and collaboration. ‘DIGIT B.1 – Data, Artificial Intelligence and Web’ unit provides digital enablers for the digital transformation of the organisation and of its ICT domain in the areas of data, artificial intelligence, and web presence.



Session 2-B

Jochen Friedrich

Technical Relations Executive

Jochen Friedrich leads IBM’s team for Standardisation and Technical Regulation in Europe and is part of the corporate IBM standards and open source strategy organisation. Jochen holds a number of positions in European standardisation. He is President of Ecma International, member of the ETSI Board and chairs the strategic advisory committee FOCUS.digital in the German national standardisation Body DIN and the German Expert Panel on Industrie 4.0. Jochen also has leading roles in industry associations and is a member of several government advisory committees in the area of standardisation and technical regulation. Jochen is a Fellow of the OpenForum Europe Academy.


IBM

IBM (International Business Machines Corporation) is one of the world’s largest IT companies with a strong basis in Europe including Research and Development sites in several European countries. For more than a century, IBM has been a global technology innovator. IBM is a leading provider of hybrid cloud and Artificial Intelligence solutions and consulting services. IBM helps clients capitalize on insights from their data, streamline business processes, reduce costs and gain the competitive edge in their industries. IBM’s breakthrough innovations in artificial intelligence, security, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions and consulting deliver open and flexible options to clients. www.ibm.com



Maria Mora Rodriguez

Head of Fraud and Risk Solutions at the Global CoE of Data Intelligence

Maria Mora heads ESG and Risk and Fraud Solutions at Fujitsu’s Global Centre of Excellence, focusing on Digital Transformation, data standardization, and AI integration for financial and sustainability reporting. With extensive expertise in regulation, finance, and sustainability, she advises global regulatory authorities and serves on XBRL International’s Board. Maria also contributes to AI standards at CEN CENELEC JTC 21 and shapes sustainability standards with GRI. Her background includes roles at CDP, IFRS Foundation, and EFRAG TEG. Maria holds a PhD in Engineering from the University of Bristol, a Bachelor’s in Computer Engineering, and has published widely on ESG, AI, and Blockchain.


Fujitsu

Fujitsu is one of the leading global ICT companies, striving to make the world more sustainable by building trust in society through innovation. As the digital transformation partner of choice for customers in over 100 countries, our 124,000 employees work to resolve some of the greatest challenges facing humanity. Our range of services and solutions draw on key technologies: Computing, Cloud, Networks, Artificial Intelligence, Data & Security, and Converging Technologies, which we bring together to deliver sustainability transformation. The Global Centre of Excellence (CoE) on Data Analytics based in Spain provides highly specialized services in the broad Analytics domain, including anti-fraud expertise and solutions for compliance with the regulatory framework for AI. Our Fujitsu Sentinel AI advanced platform is developed by the CoE team, who also provide associated consulting services on these topics.



Pierre-Adrien Hanania

EU Institutions Security & Justice Client Partner

Pierre-Adrien Hanania works at Capgemini where he supports the digitization of the Public Sector as Client for EU Security & Justice institutions. He previously led the Data & AI in Public Sector offer of the Group, focusing on how to unlock the intelligent use of data to help organizations deliver augmented public services to the citizens along trusted and ethical technology use. Based in Germany, Pierre-Adrien previously worked for various European think tanks and graduated in European Affairs at Sciences Po Paris.


Capgemini

Capgemini is a global business and technology transformation partner, helping organizations to accelerate their dual transition to a digital and sustainable world, while creating tangible impact for enterprises and society. It is a responsible and diverse group of 340,000 team members in more than 50 countries. With its strong over 55-year heritage, Capgemini is trusted by its clients to unlock the value of technology to address the entire breadth of their business needs. It delivers end-to-end services and solutions leveraging strengths from strategy and design to engineering, all fueled by its market leading capabilities in AI, cloud and data, combined with its deep industry expertise and partner ecosystem.