site.btaINSAIT Opens First GAIA Symposium on Geospatial AI, Foundation Models

The Institute for Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Technology (INSAIT) at St Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia opened Wednesday the first edition of the GAIA Symposium on Geospatial Artificial Intelligence and Applications with Foundation Model – GAIA 2025.

The two-day event brings together leading scientists, industry experts, and public sector representatives working in the fields of artificial intelligence, geospatial technologies, climate research, and Earth observation. The main goal of the forum is to accelerate the development of a new generation of AI models capable of processing and interpreting spatial and sensor data, from Earth to space, a field in which INSAIT is actively engaged.

In an interview with BTA, Prof. Luc Van Gool from INSAIT, the head of the Computer Vision Laboratory at ETH Zurich, said that the era of foundation models has begun, allowing people to ask complex questions in natural language and receive useful answers without needing to be data processing experts. He emphasized that the goal of such forums is to bring together some of the most pressing modern challenges, many of which converge in the area of AI and geospatial technologies.

"I believe geospatial AI is a very exciting field where many of the advances we’re seeing can actually be realized," Van Gool added, noting that this is the first in a planned series of forums that INSAIT will organize in collaboration with other institutions.

Among the keynote speakers will be Prof. Thomas Zurbuchen from ETH Zurich, a former NASA Science Mission Directorate Associate Administrator. 

Attendees of the symposium have the opportunity to explore developments and research projects presented by INSAIT and partner academic institutions.

NSAIT – the Institute for Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Technology in Sofia, Bulgaria—is the first institute of its kind in Eastern Europe to offer world-class research conditions comparable to those of leading Western universities and institutes. Structured as a special unit of the St. Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia, INSAIT was founded in partnership with Switzerland’s ETH Zurich and EPFL – two of the world’s top technological universities. Renowned scientists from top US, European, and Israeli universities and research labs lead and advise the institute. INSAIT’s mission centres on scientific excellence – world-class research, attracting outstanding international talent, and training the next generation of students and technology leaders.