8th International Open Search Symposium #ossym2026

International symposium on open search, AI, and sovereign European web data infrastructure.

The 8th International Open Search Symposium #ossym2026 will take place from October 7–9, 2026 at CODE University of Applied Sciences in Berlin. Under the theme “Boosting Digital Sovereignty,” the Open Search Foundation brings together the European and international open web search community to discuss open web data infrastructures, digital sovereignty, and the future of internet search in the age of AI.

A major focus is the intersection of open search and artificial intelligence. The program covers large language models, machine learning and generative AI, AI-based search, Retrieval Augmented Generation, agentic information access, and web-data-driven AI applications. It also addresses legal and ethical questions surrounding open web search, AI training, data protection, search bias, and governance.

The hybrid symposium combines scientific presentations, keynotes, poster sessions, workshops, panels, and demonstrations. Speakers include Stefan Mesken, Chief Scientist at DeepL, Prof. Dr. Julian Kunkel from the University of Göttingen and GWDG, and Prof. Dr. Hannes Taubenböck from DLR. An additional side event at the Weizenbaum Institute on October 8 will explore how a European web data infrastructure can strengthen digital sovereignty, economic independence, and democracy.

Date: October 7–9, 2026
Time: October 7 from 8:30 AM; conference closes October 9 at 1:30 PM
Location: CODE University of Applied Sciences, Donaustraße 44, 12043 Berlin
Organizer: Open Search Foundation e.V.
Admission: Free, registration required; onsite and online participation available
Language: English
Keynote speakers: Including Stefan Mesken, DeepL; Prof. Dr. Julian Kunkel, GWDG / University of Göttingen; Prof. Dr. Hannes Taubenböck, DLR / University of Würzburg; Aline Blankertz, Structural Integrity
Audience: Researchers, AI and search experts, data centers, libraries, policymakers, legal and ethics experts, developers, and professionals working on digital infrastructures
Focus: Open search, digital sovereignty, large language models, generative AI, RAG, AI-based search, agentic information systems, web data, AI training, governance, data protection, and search ethics
Special feature: Scientific tracks, workshops, panels, and an additional side event at the Weizenbaum Institute on October 8