On Tuesday, April 29, 2026, the D.A.R. Continuum conference took place at the premises of CIIRC CTU in Prague, bringing together the themes of open data, artificial intelligence, automation, and robotics. This 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 functioning of autonomous systems.

The conference was organized in collaboration with the Czech Academy of Sciences, the OP JAK AMULET project, and CIIRC CTU, with support from the RICAIP, ROBOPROX, and ELLIOT projects.

The event was opened by the main organizer Michal Trčka, who then gave the floor to Martin Kalbáč (J. Heyrovský Institute of Physical Chemistry, CAS) and Josef Lazar (Scientific Council of the Czech Academy of Sciences). The opening session, Science for AI and AI for Science, addressed the relationship between science and artificial intelligence. Moderated by Juraj Hvorecký, the discussion featured perspectives from experts in computer science, automation, and information theory, including Jan Šedivý (CIIRC CTU), Barbara Zitová (Institute of Information Theory and Automation, CAS), and Martin Víta (Institute of Computer Science, CAS).

The morning program continued with the session The Continuum Linking Data, AI, and Autonomous Systems, focusing on the practical integration of data infrastructures, AI, and autonomous technologies. In a panel moderated by Marek Cebecauer (J. Heyrovský Institute of Physical Chemistry, CAS), Tilman Becker, Zdeněk Hanzálek, Petr Kadera, and Vladimír Petrík (all CIIRC CTU) presented the RICAIP, ROBOPROX, and ELLIOT projects, as well as activities of the Intelligent Systems Department at CIIRC. The discussion highlighted the rapid shift from data-driven research toward systems capable of autonomous decision-making and real-world interaction.

The afternoon featured keynote lectures by Patrick Lambrix (Linköping University) and Maciej Haranczyk (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. Contributors included Michal Tarana (J. Heyrovský Institute of Physical Chemistry, CAS) and David Novák (Institute of Archaeology, CAS).

The final session, Responsible Research and Data Production in the Age of AI, opened broader societal and ethical questions related to the rise of AI technologies. Moderated by Tereza Stöckelová, the discussion brought together Michaela Liegertová (Jan Evangelista Purkyně University) and Jaroslav Anděl, focusing on responsible research, data governance, and the transformation of scientific work in the era of autonomous systems. The session also included a participatory discussion inspired by a deliberative online forum format.

The conference also offered a rich accompanying program. Participants had the opportunity to visit the RICAIP Testbed Prague, and an installation from the exhibition by conceptual artist Jaroslav Anděl, AI & PREDECESSORS – Between Facts and Values, was presented on site. The program also included a lecture by the Security Information Service (BIS) on Cyber Threats in the Age of AI.

The event was organized by the Czech Academy of Sciences, CIIRC CTU, and the AMULET project, with support from the RICAIP, ROBOPROX, and ELLIOT projects. It was held under the auspices of the President and the Scientific Council of the Czech Academy of Sciences and supported by the Strategy AV21, ACADEMIX, and the Open Science Department of the CAS Library. Media partners included Vědavýzkum.cz, the magazine Vesmír, and Academix revue.