Cluster 3: It’s all about Trust! 

Athens Technology Center (ATC), INPACE consortium partner, is leading Cluster 3, which aims to advance digital technologies in strategically important areas for both Europe and the Indo-Pacific region. The cluster focuses particularly on artificial intelligence (AI) and trustworthy decision-making, emphasising human-centric and reliable AI systems, secure and transparent data value lifecycles, and advanced computing technologies that support the development of trustworthy AI.  

These priorities are tackled through three Thematic Working Groups (TWG): TWG 8 on Trusted AI, TWG 9 on Data Technologies, and TWG 10 on High Performance Computing (HPC). 

Under ATC’s coordination, Cluster 3 encourages ongoing exchanges between leading experts from Europe and the four partner countries to explore policy development, technological advancement, and opportunities for implementation and commercialisation. Cluster 3 will further promote collaboration on policy, technological innovation, implementation strategies, and commercialisation opportunities across regions. We met collaborators of ATC and asked them a few questions 

  1. Can you share a bit about who you are and how your organisation is contributing to the INPACE initiative?  

Athens Technology Center (ATC) is a Greek ICT company specialising in sectors like media, banking, and corporate systems, with expertise in big data analytics, trusted AI, and custom software solutions. As one of the 21 partners in the INPACE consortium, ATC leads Cluster 3: Digital Technologies – Trustworthy Decision Support, also leading TWG Data Technologies supporting research, strategic analysis, and technology innovation aligned with INPACE’s mission to foster EU–Indo-Pacific digital collaborations.  

  1. How would you describe INPACE’s cluster 3?  

Cluster 3 is dedicated to Trustworthy Decision Support, focusing on three core pillars:  

  • Trusted AI which puts the focus on the development and deployment of trustworthy AI/GenAI models and systems  
  • Data Technologies which is concerned with significance of data in the development and deployment of Ai/GenAi models and systems  
  • High-Performance Computing (HPC) which focuses on the necessary infrastructure needed for the deployment of Ai/GenAI models and systems  

ATC with cluster 3 evaluates existing research priorities, identify future needs, and produce strategic outputs—such as policy briefs and panorama reports—to support collaborative innovation and the development of digital policy. 

  1. How does Cluster 3 facilitate collaboration and regular exchanges between experts between European and Indo-Pacific partners countries?  

Cluster 3 facilitates collaboration through Thematic Working Groups (TWGs), each focused on a core digital domain such as Trusted AI, Data Technologies, or High-Performance Computing. These TWGs typically bring together a balanced mix of at least six experts from both Europe and Indo-Pacific partner countries. They collaborate through structured activities—including webinars, co-creation workshops, surveys, and strategic dialogues—to generate policy recommendations, research priorities, and joint proposals.  

  1. What are the opportunities and challenges in advancing digital technologies in Europe and the Indo-Pacific region?  

The EU and Indo-Pacific region present strong synergies for digital cooperation. Growing opportunities refer to: Co-development of standards and policy frameworks for trusted AI and data governance;  Enhancing interoperability and trusted data sharing across regions via federated data spaces and common architectures; Fostering public-private-academic partnerships to apply cutting-edge digital technologies (e.g., AI, HPC, quantum) in strategic sectors. Despite shared ambitions, key barriers remain when it comes to regulatory divergence in AI ethics, data privacy; Energy efficiency and sustainability concerns, particularly with expanding AI and HPC infrastructure; Limited interoperability in data systems and models; security and trust concerns around data flows and critical digital infrastructure.  

  1. How do you foresee the roles of AI, data technologies, and high-performance computing evolving in shaping future international tech standards and ethical norms?  

AI will increasingly support mission-critical decisions in healthcare, urban systems, mobility, and finance. Trusted AI standards, focusing on explainability, safety, fairness, and certification, will be pivotal for international acceptance and deployment.  

Data technologies form the backbone of interoperable and transparent systems. The common European data spaces, the IDSA model, and GAIA-X represent steps toward secure, sovereign, and shared data use, an approach that can inform Indo-Pacific initiatives. Also, efforts in data standardisation and the concept of ‘AI-ready’ data (information that has been meticulously prepared, organised, and governed to be efficiently used by artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) models) will play a key role in the internationalisation of the efforts in AI/GenAI.  

HPC enables advanced simulations, real-time analytics, and training of large-scale AI models. Its evolution will require energy optimisation, hybrid classical-quantum integration, and equitable access.  

  1. In your view, what are the most urgent policy issues Cluster 3 should address to build trustworthy digital ecosystems?  

Urgent policy measures should start with regulatory alignment. 
Harmonising AI governance frameworks (e.g., EU AI Act vs. national rules) to enable legal interoperability and reduce regulatory fragmentation should be a priority. Then, comes Data Governance & Cross-Border Flows. Develop shared frameworks for trusted data sharing that respect privacy laws (e.g., GDPR, localisation rules) and enable secure AI development is very important.  

In terms of AI Supply Chain Security, we should ensure secure and resilient access to AI hardware, software, and models amid global tech competition and cybersecurity threats. Talent and Capacity Building is also essential. Invest in joint research, AI education, and talent mobility programs to build regional capacity in trustworthy AI development and oversight.  

  1. As we plan the EU-Indo-Pacific Digital Partnership Conference 2025 in Singapore, what specific themes or priorities will Cluster 3 concentrate on?  

For the Singapore Conference Cluster 3 will focus on Data Governance & Secured Cross-Border data flows, building upon the INPACE workshop on Data Spaces in April 2025 in Tokyo. In this Workshop, there was a convergence to a potential pilot project between EU and Japan on trusted and secured data sharing for the purposes of Digital Product PAssport (DPP).  

  1. Can you share some of the most significant achievements or success stories that highlight the impact INPACE has had so far?  

One of its key achievements has been the creation of expert-driven Thematic Working Groups (TWGs), including Cluster 3, which ensure balanced representation from both EU and Indo-Pacific experts. These groups have produced a range of policy-oriented outputs, including thematic factsheets, a comprehensive Panorama Report, and targeted briefings, all aimed at aligning digital strategies across regions. INPACE has also convened impactful events, most prominently the INPACE Symposium held in Seoul in October 2024, which gathered over 100 stakeholders from government, academia, and industry. Complementing these efforts, a dedicated webinar on Data Spaces explored the interoperability between EU and Japanese frameworks, deepening technical and strategic dialogue. To support ongoing collaboration, the project launched the INPACE Hub—a digital platform enabling sustained interaction, knowledge sharing, and cross-regional networking among experts. 

INPACE has made notable strides in fostering EU–Indo-Pacific collaboration on digital policy and innovation. Through its structured expert engagement, high-level events, and impactful outputs, INPACE has established itself as a key facilitator of EU–Indo-Pacific digital cooperation, generating tangible outcomes and fostering lasting partnerships. Cluster 3 and consortium partner ATC encourage us to reflect on and rethink the importance of trust, which is the foundation of meaningful digital transformation. Without it, even the most advanced technologies may not reach their full potential or may be rejected outright.