Meeting of the Council for National Open Science Coordination (CoNOSC)
The Council for National Open Science Coordination (CoNOSC) is a network of national open science coordinators in Europe. It was set up in 2019 by France, Finland and the Netherlands and promotes international dialogue and sharing best practices for a stronger, more operational and more harmonised open science policy at the international level. Currently, 30 countries are participating.
On June 26th and 27th 2025, representatives from thirteen CONOSC countries met in Ljubljana for an exchange organised by the Slovenian Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation. Over the two days, participants discussed topical issues like: the impact of open science, open science and artificial intelligence (AI), and strategies for building reliable and robust open science ecosystems.
Impact of open science
A presentation by Nicki Lisa Cole (researcher at the Know Center Research GmbH) outlined the results of the PathOS research programme on the impact of open science. Several studies were cited that show that open science contributes to improving the academic, economic and social reach of research. Open science also helps to strengthen trust in research. The impact is greater when research results are accessible to everyone in academia and society. The PathOS project’s recommendations were reiterated, particularly the importance of increasing the number of impact stories and the need to better document the economic, scientific and societal benefits of open science.
During the workshop after the presentation, participants shared tangible examples of the impact of open science that can be cited to convince decision-makers, particularly in the field of medical research (the Human Genome Project, or COVID-19 vaccines) or as regard broadening access to knowledge (Wikipedia) and improving research transparency (Ten Year Reproducibility Challenge). Participants agreed that the diversity of impact examples is essential.
Open science and artificial intelligence
Tony Ross-Hellauer (leader of the Open and Reproducible Research Group, Know Center Research GmbH) outlined the risks and opportunities that AI represents for open science. AI can facilitate access to scientific knowledge, provide translations, and assist in the development of data management plans. AI is seen as a powerful lever for accelerating research and democratising access to knowledge but also raises crucial questions about its ability to preserve — or threaten — the very foundations of open science (transparency, reproducibility and fairness). To avoid abuses, participants called for a proactive and collective approach. This involves integrating the values of open science into the design of AI tools (transparency of algorithms, accessibility of codes, and shared governance to avoid monopolies).
During the workshop after the presentation, participants emphasised the need to promote a responsible use of AI. To do so, policymakers must ensure AI aligns with principles of transparency. Policymakers could also promote the provision of reliable and open AI tools that serve the public good.
Open science and scientific sovereignty
Peter Suber (Director of the Harvard Open Access Project, Harvard University) highlighted the role of open science in strengthening scientific resilience. He emphasised that it is essential to involve the scientific community in preserving research and research results. Shared and balanced governance should be prioritised for infrastructures that host and preserve research results.
Conclusion
The discussions at the Ljubljana meeting highlighted that, for the future of open science, it is essential to strengthen studies on the impact of open science, ensure that AI developments are in line with the principles of transparency, and strengthen scientific sovereignty in the context of differing national policies. There is a need to communicate the benefits of open science, promote responsible AI governance, and emphasise the central role of open science in building a resilient research ecosystem.
Find out more:
The CoNOSC web page on the Ljubljana meeting: https://conosc.org/2025/10/21/conosc-addresses-os-impact-ai-and-resiliency-of-open-science-policies/
