Universal Platform Components for Safe Fair Interoperable Data Exchange, Monetisation and Trading

Project Information

UPCAST

Grant agreement ID: 101093216

DOI

10.3030/101093216

Project closed

EC signature date 16 November 2022

Start date 1 January 2023

End date 31 December 2025

Funded under

• Digital, Industry and Space

Total cost

€ 10 655 452,71

EU contribution

€ 8 587 126,25

Coordinated by

IDC ITALIA SRL
Italy

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - UPCAST (Universal Platform Components for Safe Fair Interoperable Data Exchange, Monetisation and Trading)

Reporting period: 2023-01-01 to 2024-06-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The UPCAST project, funded by the Horizon Europe program, focuses on developing universal, trustworthy, transparent, and user-friendly plugins for data marketplaces.
These plugins aim to improve the quality of data transactions between businesses, public administrations, and citizens.
UPCAST addresses the growing demand in the Global Data Marketplace Platform Market, expected to reach $3.5 billion by 2028.
The project's main objectives include establishing trust through privacy and security, defining data value, and creating common standards for data transactions.
The project develops several key plugins, each serving specific purposes:
Resource Specification: Helps data producers describe their datasets.
Privacy: Allows data providers to set rules and constraints on data usage.
Pricing: Suggests prices for data products based on market information.
Environmental Impact: Calculates the carbon footprint of datasets and workflows.
Discovery: Enables consumers to search for relevant data products.
Data Processing Workflow: Describes the intended data processing methods.
Contract/Negotiation: Facilitates agreement processes between data providers and consumers.
Federated Machine Learning: Supports collaborative ML without sharing raw data.
Data Integration: Simplifies integrating data from various sources.
Safe Transfer: Secures data transfer across the internet.
Monitoring: Tracks events related to data transactions.
Auditing: Ensures compliance with legislation and contractual agreements.
UPCAST aims to engage SMEs, public administrations, and citizens, demonstrating best practices and providing training to ensure the project's impact and sustainability.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

WP1: UPCAST Concept and MVP Definition
Work Done: Established the vision and direction for UPCAST, defining a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and setting up a methodology for requirements. Defined the data model and vocabularies for UPCAST workflows, provided a legal framework, and designed the system architecture.
Deliverables:
D1.1: Project concept requirements setup - Documented initial requirements, methodologies, and state-of-the-art analysis.
D1.2: MVP definition and architecture - Defined the MVP features, architecture, and interfaces.
D1.3: Updated project concept and architecture - Revised architecture based on iterative discussions and final technical design.
D1.4: Report on legal framework and requirements - Provided an updated legal framework and requirements.
WP2: Privacy, Pricing, and Discovery
Work Done: Developed privacy algorithms, analysis tools for dataset metadata, an AI framework for pricing, and a framework for automated dataset discovery.
Deliverables:
D2.1: Pricing and Discovery Modules v1 - Delivered first versions of pricing and discovery modules.
D2.2: Privacy and Usage Control Modules v1 - Delivered initial privacy and usage control modules.
WP3: Negotiation and Execution
Work Done: Integrated privacy, pricing, and discovery tools, provided components for a secure framework, and designed an environmental impact model.
Deliverables:
D3.1: Negotiation and Execution modules v1 - Delivered initial negotiation and execution tools.
D3.3: Environmental Module v1 - Provided tools for environmentally efficient data operations.
WP4: UPCAST Platform Integration and Deployment
Work Done: Focused on platform integration, auditing mechanisms, AI assessment, and legal assessments for data sharing agreements.
Deliverables:
D4.4: Contractual Clauses Legal Assessment report v1 - Provided a legal toolkit for data sharing agreements.
WP5: Demonstrations
Work Done: Implemented and deployed the UPCAST platform for public authority demonstrations, evaluated pilot implementations, and identified barriers to adoption.
Deliverables:
D5.1: Monitoring and Evaluation Methodology - Established a methodology for monitoring and evaluation of pilots.
WP6: Dissemination, Communication, and Outreach
Work Done: Developed and implemented dissemination strategies, promoted SME engagement, and ensured transferability through training.
Deliverables:
D6.1: Online project presence - Created project website and social media channels.
D6.2: Dissemination and communication plan v1 - Outlined initial dissemination and communication strategies.
WP7: Coordination, Management, and Sustainability
Work Done: Managed legal, financial, and administrative issues, ensured quality standards, and developed a data management plan.
Deliverables:
D7.1: Risk management report v1 - Detailed risk management strategies.
D7.3: Data Management Plan - Established data management procedures.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

In the first 18 months, the UPCAST project has significantly advanced the state-of-the-art in data exchange platforms by developing a suite of innovative tools and methodologies that enhance data sharing, processing, and monetization. Unlike existing platforms, UPCAST has created universal, trustworthy, transparent, and user-friendly plugins that facilitate seamless data transactions among businesses, public administrations, and citizens. The project has implemented advanced privacy algorithms and developed comprehensive analysis tools for extracting metadata from datasets, ensuring compliance with stringent privacy regulations and providing robust user control over data usage.

UPCAST's AI framework for dynamic and self-explainable pricing of datasets is a notable breakthrough, leveraging metadata to ensure transparency and trustworthiness in data valuation. The automated dataset discovery framework further distinguishes UPCAST from current solutions by enabling efficient and intelligent search and integration of relevant data resources, significantly reducing the time and effort required for data discovery.

Moreover, UPCAST has pioneered the integration of privacy, pricing, and discovery tools into a cohesive platform, facilitating agile and secure negotiation processes. The environmental impact optimizer plugin developed by UPCAST is another state-of-the-art contribution, providing tools for assessing and minimizing the carbon footprint of data operations, which is increasingly critical in today's environmentally conscious landscape.

The project's emphasis on creating a legal framework tailored to data exchange platforms ensures compliance with European and national regulations, addressing legal and ethical challenges associated with automated contracts and data sharing. This comprehensive approach to legal requirements sets a new standard for data platforms, ensuring that UPCAST not only meets current legal standards but also anticipates future regulatory developments.