From 19 to 21 September 2024, Tbilisi hosted DataFest, the largest annual data conference in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. This year marked the third consecutive year that the Council of Europe Office in Georgia supported the festival. The collaboration centred on increasing awareness of the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in advancing gender equality and promoting responsible AI practices.

Through the three-day festival, over 1,200 participants from diverse backgrounds were offered a chance to participate in different activities, including attending an interactive presentation and a workshop that explored the influence of AI systems on gender dynamics. They were also able to participate in a hackathon addressing technology-facilitated gender-based violence, with particular focus on women in politics and public life. Additionally, through interactive quizzes and questionnaires at the Human Rights Space, attendees had the opportunity to test their knowledge of harmful gender stereotypes, issues of violence against women and sexism.

The DataFest organisers honoured the Council of Europe with a Supporter Award, recognising their long-term partnership and celebrating their shared commitment to fostering data-driven innovation, particularly in the areas of gender equality and democracy. “Through continuous engagement, knowledge sharing, and support for emerging talent, the Council of Europe has played a pivotal role in enhancing the data ecosystem in Georgia and beyond,” shared Nino Matcharashvili, founder of DataFest Tbilisi.

The Council of Europe activities at the DataFest were organised in the framework of the project “Reinforcing gender equality and implementing GREVIO recommendations to combat violence against women and domestic violence in Georgia”. The Project is a part of the Council of Europe Action Plan for Georgia 2024-2027.