Advanced Topics in Big Data, Data Management, and Machine Learning

This track serves as a premier venue for researchers, practitioners, and innovators to explore the most pressing and transformative aspects of modern data handling. We aim to explore the frontiers of data-centric technologies and methodologies that are essential in navigating the era of rapid data growth. Beyond addressing the vast volume of data, we seek solutions that tackle the complexities of velocity and variety, emphasizing the development of systems capable of extracting meaningful insights from dynamic and heterogeneous datasets.

This track focuses on transforming raw data into actionable intelligence, enabling organizations to make informed decisions and drive innovation. We provide a forum for exploring the synergy between cutting-edge big data technologies, advanced data management practices, and machine learning techniques. We encourage submissions that showcase novel approaches to leveraging machine learning for tasks such as automated data quality control, intelligent metadata management, and predictive analytics within big data environments. This track seeks to foster a dialogue on the future of data management, where machine learning plays a central role in optimizing data processing, storage, analysis, and governance, with a strong emphasis on scalability, efficiency, and real-world impact. We encourage submissions that demonstrate a deep understanding of the challenges inherent in managing massive datasets and that propose innovative solutions.

Topics of Interest include but are not limited to:

• Agentic AI for Data Engineering
• AI-Driven data management and automation
• Advanced data warehousing and data lake architecture
• Advanced data visualization for large datasets
• Cloud-native data management solutions
• Data governance, data quality, and data lineage
• Data security and privacy in big data environments
• Distributed data processing and analytics frameworks
• Edge Machine Learning (ML) for Big Data processing
• Graph databases, analytics and ML
• Intelligent metadata management and data cataloging with ML
• ML for data security and privacy in big data environments
• ML for distributed data processing and analytics frameworks
• ML-driven data governance, data quality, and data lineage
• ML-enhanced advanced data visualization for large datasets
• ML-enhanced data warehousing and data lake architecture
• Metadata management and data cataloging
• Real-time data streaming and processing
• Real-time ML for data streaming and processing
• Scalable ML for NoSQL Databases and NewSQL Systems
• Scalable NoSQL databases and NewSQL systems
• Sustainable and “Green” Data Management

Track chair

Elias Iosif, University of Nicosia, (email Iosif.e[at]unic.ac.cy)

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a transformative force across various industries, shaping the future of modern technology. In this track, we invite contributions from the versatile landscape of AI, by focusing on its latest developments, challenges, and societal implications. Participants can expect insightful discussions on cutting-edge AI applications, ethical considerations, and the evolving role of AI in our daily lives. From Machine Learning algorithms to Natural Language Processing, this track provides a comprehensive overview of the rapidly advancing field of AI, offering a platform for researchers to exchange ideas and explore the future possibilities that AI holds. We welcome research articles, conceptual articles, case studies, and position papers that tackle aspects of AI with a diverse range of theoretical lenses and applied methodologies.

We invite manuscripts including, but not limited to, the following topics:

• Generative AI & Foundation Models: Next-generation Large Language Models (LLMs), Multimodal systems, and small-scale model optimization.
• Autonomous Agents & Agentic AI: Design of autonomous agents for complex task planning, reasoning, and multi-agent collaboration.
• Physical & Embodied AI: AI-driven robotics, humanoids, and the integration of AI with the Internet of Things (AIoT).
• Advances in Machine Learning Algorithms: Deep learning, reinforcement learning, and neuro-symbolic architectures.
• Explainable & Responsible AI (XAI): Interpretability, fairness, bias mitigation, and transparency in automated decision-making.
• AI Security & Defense: Adversarial attacks, digital provenance, and AI-driven threat detection and prevention.
• Privacy-Preserving Techniques: Federated learning, differential privacy, and confidential computing.
• Computer Vision & Natural Language Processing: Advanced image understanding, real-time video analysis, and cross-lingual text processing.
• Green AI & Sustainability: Energy-efficient training, sustainable hardware, and AI for climate monitoring.
• Optimization & Heuristics: Hyperparameter tuning, AutoML, and computational complexity of AI algorithms.
• Recommender Systems & Personalization: Advanced algorithms for user modeling and predictive analytics.
• Societal Impact & Governance: AI regulation, the future of work, and the ethical implications of mass-scale AI deployment.

Track Chairs
Nikos Bakas, The American College of Greece (nbakas[at]acg.edu)

Spyros Lavdas, The American College of Greece (slavdas[at]acg.edu)

Konstantinos Vavousis, The American College of Greece (kvavousis[at]acg.edu)

Blockchain Technology and Applications

This track builds on the successful legacy of the EMCIS 2018–2025 series, evolving alongside a technology that has transitioned from experimental curiosity to a foundational layer of the global digital economy. As we move through 2026, Blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLT) are no longer defined solely by cryptocurrencies. Instead, they serve as the critical infrastructure for the Internet of Value, enabling the seamless digitization and movement of assets, data, and identity without traditional intermediaries.

The current landscape is defined by the “Institutional Era” and the “Autonomous Economy.” We are witnessing the large-scale tokenization of Real-World Assets (RWA)—bringing trillions in bonds, real estate, and private equity on-chain—and the maturation of Modular Blockchain Architectures that solve the long-standing trilemma of scalability, security, and decentralization. Furthermore, the convergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Blockchain is creating a new paradigm of “Verifiable AI,” where ledgers ensure the provenance of data and the accountability of autonomous economic agents.

As global regulatory frameworks like MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets) and the GENIUS Act provide much-needed clarity, the focus of academic research must shift toward the socio-technical implications of mass adoption, the ethics of decentralized governance, and the technical optimizations required for a multi-chain, interoperable world. This track provides a vital forum for disseminating rigorous research on the protocols, applications, and organizational transformations driving this next wave of digital evolution.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

• AI and Blockchain Convergence: Verifiable AI, decentralized compute networks (DePIN), and autonomous on-chain agents.
• Real-World Asset (RWA) Tokenization: Technical and legal frameworks for on-chaining traditional financial instruments (Treasuries, Private Credit, Real Estate).
• Modular and Layer-2 Architectures: Research on data availability layers, rollup frameworks, and app-specific chains.
• Zero-Knowledge (ZK) Innovations: ZK-Proofs for privacy-preserving compliance, identity (zk-ID), and scaling (zk-EVM/zk-VM).
• Decentralized Physical Infrastructure (DePIN): Using token incentives to deploy and manage telecommunications, energy, and sensor networks.
• Chain Abstraction and UX: Technologies that hide blockchain complexity (account abstraction, intent-centric protocols) to enable mass consumer adoption.
• Post-Quantum Blockchain Security: Developing cryptographic resilience against the threat of quantum computing.
• Institutional DeFi and Regulated Finance: Hybrid models, wholesale CBDCs, and deposit tokens for interbank settlement.
• Sustainable and Circular Economies: Blockchain for carbon credit verification, energy trading, and ESG reporting.
• Governance and DAO Evolution: Research on restaking risks, liquid democracy, and hybrid on-chain/off-chain governance models.
• Bitcoin’s Utility Layer: The growth of smart contracts and decentralized finance on Bitcoin (L2s, Ordinals, BitVM).
• SocialFi and Decentralized Identity: Self-sovereign identity (SSI) and the integration of social graphs into decentralized applications.
• Blockchain use cases
• Blockchain and disruptive innovation

Track chairs:

Marinos Themistocleous, University of Nicosia, Cyprus (Themistocleous.m[at]unic.ac.cy)

Kyungseok Choo, Endicott College, Massachusetts, USA

Cloud and Edge Computing Track

As we progress through 2026, the boundaries between centralized cloud data centers and localized edge nodes have effectively dissolved, giving rise to a seamless Edge-Fog-Cloud Continuum. This evolution is driven by the urgent need for real-time inference, data sovereignty, and the deployment of autonomous AI agents that require low-latency processing at the network’s periphery.

This track seeks original research, case studies, and applied research papers that explore the architectural, operational, and ethical challenges of managing distributed intelligence. We invite contributions that move beyond traditional virtualization toward serverless edge, cloud-native orchestration, and sustainable, energy-aware infrastructures. 

Topics of Interest

We welcome submissions on a broad range of topics, including but not limited to:

• AI-as-a-Service: Machine Learning-as-a-Service (MLaaS), Explainable AI (XAI) in the cloud, and Privacy-Preserving Cloud-AI.
• On-device Generative AI and Large Language Model (LLM) distillation for the edge.
• Distributed training and federated learning protocols in constrained environments.
• Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) services at the edge.
• Cloud 3.0: Transitioning from passive storage to active, intent-driven AI backbones.
• Serverless at the Edge: Programming models for function-as-a-service (FaaS) in distributed settings.
• Modular Architectures: Data availability layers and micro-services orchestration (Kubernetes, WebAssembly).
• Integration of 6G and Wi-Fi 8 with edge computing for ultra-low latency.
• Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN): Satellite-integrated edge computing for remote areas.
• Multi-cloud and Hybrid-cloud interoperability and workload repatriation.
• Sovereign Clouds: Navigating data residency and “Geopatriation” of workloads.
• Zero-Trust Architectures (ZTA) for decentralized physical infrastructure (DePIN).
• Confidential Computing: Hardware-level encryption (TEEs) for secure edge processing.
• Carbon-aware scheduling and renewable energy integration in data centers.
• Circular economy models for hyper-scale and edge hardware.
• Physical AI: Robotics, autonomous vehicles, and drones powered by edge-cloud hybrids.
• Digital Twins: Real-time synchronization between physical assets and cloud models.
• Smart Cities, Healthcare (IoMT), and Industry 5.0 applications.
• Energy-Efficient Cloud-AI Infrastructures
• Explainable AI in the Cloud

Cyber Security, Privacy and Resilience

This Track aims at bringing together researchers and practitioners working on information systems security, security controls, cyber resilience issues (e.g., incident management and business continuity), security and privacy of AI-based systems, information privacy, privacy-enhancing tools, data minimization and personal data protection issues of information systems and digital services. The Track also targets to provide a forum for researchers and practitioners to discuss, and present work on, emerging ideas and trends in the areas of information security and privacy engineering in software development, as well as the development of security and privacy tools. Behavioral and organisational studies concerning information security policy compliance, security and privacy awareness, adoption of security controls and privacy-enhancing tools are also welcome.

The Track welcomes research articles, conceptual articles, case studies, and position papers that tackle interesting aspects of information security and privacy with a diverse range of theoretical lenses and methodologies.

Thematic Areas:

• Accountability, Transparency and Intervenability
• Anonymity, pseudonymity and privacy-enhancing technologies
• Business Continuity
• Common practices, legal and regulatory issues
• Compliance with regulatory frameworks (e.g., GDPR, NIS2)
• Critical infrastructure protection
• Cyber insurance
• Cyber resilience frameworks and techniques
• Cybersecurity incident management
• Cyber-physical systems security
• Design of business models with security requirements
• Ethics, legal and social aspects of information systems
• Ethical issues of AI-based systems (e.g., of Generative AI)
• Information security and privacy requirements engineering
• Information security management
• Information security policies
• IoE and IoT security and privacy
• Methodologies for privacy-by-design and -by-default
• Methodologies for Privacy Impact Assessment
• Models for access control and authentication
• Risk analysis and risk management issues
• Security and privacy of AI-based systems
• Security and privacy on critical infrastructures
• Security and privacy organisational roles and professional competencies
• Security and privacy awareness and training

Track Chairs

Aggeliki Tsohou, atsohou[at]ionio.gr, Ionian University

Vasiliki Diamantopoulou, vdiamant[at]aegean.gr, University of the Aegean

Defense Technology & National Security

As the landscape of global conflict shifts from physical battlefields to the digital domain, the intersection of Information Systems (IS) and Defense Technology has never been more critical. This track explores how cutting-edge computational frameworks, resilient architectures, and data-driven intelligence are redefining modern warfare and national sovereignty.

In an era of hybrid threats and “gray zone” warfare, defense is no longer just about hardware; it is about the information advantage. This track invites researchers, practitioners, and defense analysts to present work on the systems that protect critical infrastructure, automate decision-making in high-stakes environments, and ensure communication integrity under fire.

We are seeking submissions that bridge the gap between theoretical information systems and practical military application, including but not limited to:

• Autonomous Systems & Robotics: Developments in AI-driven unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and ground systems, focusing on swarm intelligence and edge computing.
• Cyber Warfare & Resilient Infrastructure: Strategies for defending against state-sponsored cyberattacks, protecting power grids, and securing military IoT (IoBT).
• C4ISR Systems: Innovations in Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance to enhance situational awareness.
• Quantum Computing in Defense: The implications of quantum-resistant cryptography and quantum sensing for future secure communications.
• Ethics of AI in Conflict: Navigating the moral and systemic challenges of Lethal Autonomous Weapon Systems (LAWS) and algorithmic bias in intelligence.
• Zero-Trust Architectures: Implementing granular security protocols within tactical networks and departmental data sharing.
• Electronic Warfare (EW) & Signal Processing: Information systems designed for spectrum dominance, jam-resistant communications, and cognitive radio.
• Digital Twins for Defense: Using high-fidelity virtual modeling for predictive maintenance of fleet assets and simulating urban combat scenarios.
• Human-Machine Teaming (HMT): Interfaces and systems that optimize the collaboration between human operators and AI agents in high-stress environments.
• Supply Chain Security & Provenance: Leveraging blockchain and tracking systems to ensure the integrity of defense hardware and software components.
• Big Data & Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT): Processing massive datasets from satellite imagery and open-source intelligence (OSINT) for real-time threat detection.

Digital Governance in the AI Era

The increasing exploitation of ICTs, both traditional and emerging ones, by government agencies for improving the generation of value for the society, has led to the rapid development of Digital Governance research and practice. The first generation of it, usually referred to as Electronic (Digital) Government 1.0 aimed mainly at the exploitation of ICT for improving the efficiency and decreasing the cost of the complex processes and operations of government agencies, as well as of their transactions with citizens and firms (by developing digital transaction channels based on the Internet). However, the second generation of it, referred to as Electronic (Digital) Government 2.0, had a quite different orientation, focusing on the use of ICTs, and especially the Internet and the social media, for enhancing government transparency, as well as interaction, consultation and collaboration with the citizens and firms, and in general for promoting open and participative government. Also, the opening of government data to be used for scientific and business purposes, as well as for enhancing political debates, and making them more ‘evidence-based’, was another major development of this second generation. Recently, a third generation of has emerged, referred to as Electronic (Digital) Government 3.0, aiming at the exploitation of ICT in order to improve and enhance the highest-level functions of government agencies aiming at public policy making. All these three generations initially focused on the use of ICTs for supporting existing processes and activities, but then started taking more innovative directions, aiming at the use of ICT for transforming existing processes and activities, and governance models in general, and this gave rise to the development of the transformative stages of these three generations Electronic (Digital) Governance 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 respectively, and to the gradual digital transformation of the public sector. Furthermore, all these three generations of digital governance are continuously evolving, by exploiting and incorporating some emerging ‘disruptive’ technologies, such as business analytics, cloud, Internet of Things, big data, artificial intelligence, blockchain etc.). Especially artificially intelligence technologies, such as machine learning, has the potential to provide great benefits to public organizations, concerning the efficiency and effectiveness of operations, decision making and policy making, facilitate a new generation of digital transformation of government, leading to a new ‘artificial intelligence era’ of government. However, its application can pose serious challenges and risks. Furthermore, the use of Internet technology in modern cities can lead to the development of smart cities providing to citizens to higher quality of life.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:
• ‘Classical’ efficiency-oriented digital government
• Electronic (Digital) Government/Governance services
• Electronic (Digital) Democracy and Voting
• Digital Divide and e-Inclusion
• Information Society and Electronic (Digital) Government/Governance policies
• Open Government – Transparency, Participation and Collaboration
• Open government data
• Open government data plat and evaluation
• Open government data ecosystems development
• Citizen-centric Electronic (Digital) Government/Governance
• Innovative Electronic (Digital) Services (Transparent, Anticipatory, Context-Aware, Co-Created)
• Digital Transformation of government
• Public Values and Digital (Electronic) Government/Governance
• Security, Privacy and Trust in Digital (Electronic) Government/Governance
• Benefits, barriers and risks of Electronic (Digital) Government/Governance development and adoption
• Government Process Management, Interoperability and Integration
• Social Media in Government
• Policy Modelling/Analytics
• Big data and government
• Cloud Computing in Government
• Artificial Intelligence in government – exploitation and benefits
• Artificial Intelligence in government – challenges and risks
• Artificial Intelligence in government – policies and strategies
• Artificial Intelligence-based digital transformation of government
• Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence in government
• Blockchain in Government
• Internet of Things in government
• Smart Cities, Smart Government and Smart Citizens
• Legal Informatics
• Mobile-Government (M-Government)
• Covid-19 and Digital Government/Governance
• Economic crises and Digital Government/Governance

Track chairs:
Euripidis Loukis, eloukis[at]aegean.gr, University of Aegean, Greece,
Yannis Charalabidis, yannisx[at]aegean.gr, University of Aegean, Greece
Charalampos Alexopoulos, alexop[at]aegean.gr, University of Aegean, Greece

Digital Services and Social Media

As Digital Services have become part of our lives, they have changed the ways we communicate and collaborate. Social media is being used in personal life, in private business and in the public and social sectors. The rapid expansion of diverse forms of computational media enabled new forms of participation. Service creation and delivery demand new and more engaging ways of designing, developing and managing, across local and global scenarios where resilience and sustainability are key factors. In EMCIS 2026 we aim to cover the following themes related to digital services, social media and digital collaboration.

Topics of interests include, but are not limited to:

• AI and digital services
• AI in social media
• Service Design
• Media Design
• User Experience
• Participatory and Co-Design
• Social Media
• Digital Collaboration
• Resilience
• Sustainability
• Privacy and Security
• Digital Trust
• Big Data and Analytics
• Case Studies
• Sociotechnical Studies
• Digital Services in e-Learning, e-Government, e-Business, etc Business
• Modeling for Services Business Development Skills Development

Track Chair

Irene Dondjio, Hague University, Holland, Email: i.dondjio[at]hhs.nl

Digital Sustainability and Green IT

As digital technologies continue to reshape industries, the environmental impact of Information Systems (IS) has become a critical concern. This track invites research that explores how IS can contribute to sustainability, mitigate digital carbon footprints, and drive eco-friendly innovations. We welcome theoretical, empirical, and case study contributions that examine Green IT, sustainable data centers, AI for environmental sustainability, circular digital economies, and policies for fostering digital sustainability. This track aims to bring together researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to discuss how IS can address global sustainability challenges and enable a greener digital future.

Topics of Interest:

We invite high-quality submissions on (but not limited to) the following topics:

• Green IT and Sustainable Computing
• Energy-efficient computing and green data centers
• Low-carbon cloud computing and edge computing
• Sustainable software engineering and eco-friendly coding practices
• AI and Data-Driven Sustainability
• AI applications for energy optimization and carbon footprint reduction
• Sustainable smart cities and digital twin technologies
• Green blockchain and energy-efficient distributed ledger systems
• Digital Circular Economy and Sustainable Business Models
• IT-enabled circular economy strategies
• Digital platforms for sustainable supply chains
• Sustainable e-commerce and green digital services
• Policy, Ethics, and Governance of Digital Sustainability
• IS solutions for climate change mitigation and adaptation
• Digital sustainability regulations and green IT policies
• The role of IS in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Emerging Technologies in Policing and Security

As digital technologies continue to evolve, their role in law enforcement and public safety is expanding rapidly. This track invites research that explores how emerging technologies are transforming policing, improving security, and reshaping investigative practices. We welcome theoretical, empirical, and case study contributions that examine AI-driven policing, cybersecurity innovations, digital forensics, immersive training simulations, and policy frameworks for technology-driven law enforcement. 

This track aims to bring together researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to discuss how digital innovations can enhance security, support ethical policing, and address the challenges of modern law enforcement.

Topics of Interest

We invite high-quality submissions on (but not limited to) the following topics:

• AI and Predictive Policing

• Machine learning for crime prediction and risk assessment
• AI-powered threat detection and behavioral analysis
• Ethical considerations and bias mitigation in AI policing

• Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics

• Investigative techniques for cybercrime and digital evidence management
• Blockchain applications for secure data handling and forensic integrity
• Advances in biometric security and digital identity verification

• Augmented Reality (AR), Extended Reality (XR), and Simulation for Security

• AR/XR for law enforcement training and real-time decision-making
• Virtual crime scene reconstruction and forensic analysis
• Immersive simulations for high-risk scenario training

• Smart Surveillance and Emerging Policing Technologies

• IoT and smart city solutions for public safety
• Automated surveillance, facial recognition, and drone applications
• Robotics and unmanned systems in law enforcement

• Policy, Ethics, and Governance of Security Technologies

• Legal challenges and privacy concerns in digital policing
• Ethical considerations of AI and emerging law enforcement technologies
• Regulatory frameworks and governance models for security innovations

Co-Track Chairs:

Ahmad Alsuwaidi adhahi@dubaipolice.ac.ae

Omar Alshamsi o.alshamsi@dubaipolice.ac.ae

Dubai Police Academy, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Enterprise Systems

Enterprise systems (ES) are the backbone of most global manufacturing and service enterprises and are becoming more and more popular among smaller companies. Formerly identified with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) applications, these systems have evolved from plain ERP towards more sophisticated application suites, including ERP, CRM, SCM, Business Intelligence, Workflow, Content Management, etc., which aim at supporting core business processes, information management and workflow in various organisations. Implementation, effective use, and development of these systems still pose many research and practical issues which may be subject to study. This track seeks to explore issues, both conceptual and practice-based, surrounding the integration of enterprise systems and linking ERP systems to other systems via SOA and the cloud.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Implementation issues and concerns
• Support (on-going and initial start-up) issues
• Training and retention of qualified staff
• Upgrade and versioning issues
• Extending the ERP system beyond the organizational boundaries
• SOA and cloud implementation benefits, barriers and costs, methodologies, standards and issues
• Tailoring ERP to meet diverse corporate needs
• Benefit and cost management of integrated enterprise systems
• Worlds best practices for integrated business
• Measuring ERP, SOA and Cloud Computing performance and evaluating costs and benefits
• Impact of Academic Alliances in ERP/SOA/Cloud Computing technologies on students and businesses that hire these students
• ERP and the Internet of Services
• Case studies
• From ERP towards ES – evolution of standard information systems
• Agile implementation of ERP/ES – advantages, disadvantages, scoping, methodology
• ERP/ES in the Cloud – which enterprises does it suit, and which not? Will one size fit all? What are advantages and disadvantages of cloud deployments?
• ES or best-of-breed – which strategy fits whom?
• Emerging technologies (e.g., Blockchain, Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence) in enterprise integration

Gaming, Immersive Technologies and the Future of Virtual Worlds

This track explores the transformative shift from isolated digital experiences to a unified Spatial Computing paradigm. As we enter 2026, the boundaries between gaming, social interaction, and industrial simulation have blurred. The rapid evolution of immersive technologies is transforming digital experiences across industries. When combined with advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Blockchain, and the Internet of Things (IoT), these innovations are unlocking new possibilities for seamless virtual interactions, digital asset ownership, and hyper-realistic simulations. As the boundaries between the physical and virtual worlds continue to blur, organizations are leveraging these technologies to enhance user engagement, improve operational efficiency, and create novel business models.

This track explores the latest advancements, challenges, and opportunities in gaming, immersive creative technologies and virtual worlds, from cutting-edge hardware and software to groundbreaking applications in gaming, education, healthcare, enterprise, retail, and more. Participants will discuss how immersive environments are redefining interaction, collaboration, and commerce while addressing business, ethical, regulatory, and technical considerations that will shape the future of the virtual worlds. 

Topics include but are not limited to:

• Innovations in AR, VR, MR, and XR hardware and software
• Generative AI & Autonomous Worlds
• The role of AI, blockchain, and IoT in virtual worlds
• The potential of AI and blockchain to create chaos and order in virtual worlds (“chaordic economics”)
• Use cases in education, healthcare, enterprise, entertainment, logistics, retail, and beyond
• Virtual economies, NFTs, and digital ownership
• Social and ethical implications of immersive environments
• UX/UI design principles for intuitive and engaging virtual experiences
• Future trends and challenges in virtual worlds development
• Digital identity, avatars, and personalization in virtual spaces
• Metaverse applications
• The evolution of the creator economy in immersive environments
• Security, privacy, and data protection in virtual worlds
• Integration of haptic feedback, spatial audio, and neural interfaces
• The impact of 5G and edge computing on immersive experiences
• Virtual collaboration tools and the future of remote work
• Legal and regulatory frameworks for virtual worlds
• The role of digital twins in shaping smart cities and industries
• Design and ergonomics of “all-day” wearable AR and smart glasses.
• Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs) and neural feedback in immersive gaming.
• Advances in haptic feedback, volumetric video, and Gaussian Splatting for photorealism.

Healthcare Information Systems

Healthcare Information Systems (HIS) advances offer substantial possibilities to enhance quality and efficiency of healthcare services, enable new forms of healthcare co-operations, improve interactions between patients and healthcare providers, and transform care delivery. With the development and utilization of the Electronic and Personal Healthcare Record (EHR/PHR) and their interplay with cloud-based apps, telemedicine, homecare and m-health, the healthcare sector requires overcoming significant challenges like integration, interoperability, security, big data exploitation, healthcare analytics etc. Consistent with the EMCIS conference theme this track addresses, but it is not limited, to a multidiscipline spectrum of theoretical perspectives and methodological approaches presented in the thematic areas below: 

• Healthcare Information Technology and Systems (HIT/S)
• Electronic Medical/Health Records (EMRs/EHRs)
• Clinical Information Systems
• The role of AI in HIT/S and in medical processes and decision making
• Mobile and Electronic Health (mHealth/eHealth) Solutions
• Smart and Connected Health for Wellbeing
• Electronic Health Systems: Deployment
• Best Practices and Lessons Learnt
• Big Data in Healthcare
• Blockchain in Healthcare
• Healthcare Analytics
• Data Analytics for Public Health Care
• Healthcare Information Systems Critical Success and Failure Factors (CSF/CFF)
• Healthcare Application Integration: PACS
• eReferral/ePrescription and Telemedicine
• Next Generation Telehealthcare and Remote Care Expansion
• HIS Security 

Track Chairs

Andriana Prentza, University of Piraeus, Greece, aprentza[at]unipi.gr 

Michael Filippakis, University of Piraeus, Greece mfilip[at]unipi.gr  

High Performance Computing

This track aims to bring together researchers, practitioners, and industry experts to discuss the latest advancements and future directions in the field of HPC. We invite submissions that explore innovative ideas, algorithms, implementations, and applications in areas including but not limited to parallel and distributed systems, performance modeling and analysis, scalable algorithms, machine learning in HPC, and HPC in cloud environments. Papers that demonstrate interdisciplinary work, novel approaches in hardware and software, and solutions to challenges in scalability, energy efficiency, and data management are particularly welcome. Selected papers will have the opportunity to present their work in a dynamic and interactive environment and will be published in the conference proceedings. We look forward to your valuable contributions that will help shape the future of High-Performance Computing.

This track welcomes papers utilizing diverse research approaches. Topics of interest include (but are not limited to):
• Parallel Computing Architectures
• Parallel Programming Models
• High-Performance Computing Applications
• Performance Optimization Techniques
• Benchmarking and Performance Evaluation
• Scalability and Efficiency
• Emerging Technologies
• Cloud and Distributed Computing
• Exascale Computing
• HPC for Data Analytics and Machine Learning
• Security in High-Performance Computing

Innovative Research Projects

Every year, national and international research funding bodies (e.g. European Union) invest billions of Euros on supporting research projects on innovative and practical ideas. In most cases the dissemination of the outcomes of these projects is not the expected one. Often academics ignore the existence of most of the research projects. However, important information related to the outcomes of these projects may be significant for academics as they may speed up their research, find solutions to their scientific problems or come across research partners to work with.

This track aims to bridge this gap, and it focuses on the dissemination of the results of innovative research projects on the area of Information Communication Technology. In doing so, the track on research projects seeks to generate interesting discussions during the conference and support research collaboration.

Topics of interests include, but are not limited to:

• Artificial Intelligence
• Big Data and Analytics
• Blockchain and Web 3
• Climate change and emerging technologies
• Cloud Computing
• Digital Government
• Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship
• Digital Services, Social Media and Digital Collaboration
• Disruptive innovation
• Enterprise Systems
• Healthcare Information Systems
• Machine Learning
• Gaming and virtual worlds
• Immersive applications
• Management and Organisational Issues in Information systems
• Security and Privacy Protection for Information Systems
• Smart Cities
• Supply Chain Management

IT Governance and alignment

Business/Information Technology (IT) alignment is one of the most frequently addressed issues of IT and Information Systems (IS) management. It deals with the harmonization of business goals and IT goals on all organizational levels through appropriate decision structures, governance mechanisms, and organizational processes. Regarding these issues, IT governance constitutes a systematic approach suitable to solve the problems connected with enabling the business strategy with IT in organizations. Nowadays, IT governance and alignment have to be placed in the context of extensive digitalization of business and society, as well as the diffusion of artificial intelligence, open innovation, and crowdsourcing both in the public and private sectors. Thus, IT governance is facing different challenges and requires new frameworks, methods, and theoretical perspectives. This track is aimed at presenting the latest developments and research related to IT governance and alignment from both business and academic perspectives. 

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Business/IT alignment modeling and models IT/IS strategy formulation
• Digital transformation and IT governance/alignment
• Digital Innovation and IT governance/alignment
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) governance
• Blockchain and IT governance/alignment
• Business Modelling and IT governance/alignment
• Business Model Innovation and IT governance/alignment
• Collective intelligence and IT governance/alignment
• Open Innovation and IT governance/alignment
• Crowdsourcing and IT governance/alignment
• Business and Enterprise architectures
• IT governance/alignment in the public sector
• IT/IS audit and control
• IT/IS value delivery
• IT/IS risk management
• IT/IS performance measurement & benchmarking
• IT resources utilization
• IT/IS outsourcing
• IT/IS compliance
• IT governance frameworks 

Track Chairs:

Dr. Gianluigi Viscusi – Linköping University, Sweden, Email: gianluigi.viscusi[at]liu.se 

Management Information Systems

Information Systems (IS) play a pivotal role in the ongoing wave of digital transformation, shaping new business models, reconfiguring business processes, and driving innovative digital services. As organisations navigate the complexities of digital ecosystems, the strategic role of IS becomes more crucial than ever, particularly in fostering agility, resilience, and sustainability. Moreover, the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is redefining decision-making processes, automation, and business intelligence, enabling more adaptive and data-driven enterprises. Simultaneously, Circular Business Models (CBMs) are gaining momentum as businesses seek to enhance resource efficiency, reduce waste, and create sustainable value chains, with IS serving as a critical enabler in this transition. Furthermore, integrating Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) into enterprises presents significant socio-technical challenges, requiring managers to balance technology adoption with organisational change. As businesses operate in an increasingly AI-driven and sustainability-focused environment, understanding the intersection of IS, AI, and CBMs becomes imperative for future-proofing organisations and fostering long-term competitive advantages.

This track welcomes papers that adopt diverse research approaches, addressing both theoretical advancements and practical implementations. Topics of interest include (but are not limited to):

Digital Transformation and IS in Modern Business Environments

• The role of IS in enabling digital transformation across industries.
• Digital ecosystems, inter-organisational IS, and strategic alignment in digital business models.
• Digital platforms, ecosystems, and network effects on business and society.
• The impact of emerging digital technologies (AI, blockchain, IoT, 5G) on organisations and industries.
• AI-driven business intelligence, automation, and decision support systems.
• Socio-technical challenges in IS implementation and digital transformation.

IS in Supply Chain Digitalisation and Operations

• Digital supply chains: technologies, architectures, and business implications.
• Blockchain and distributed ledger technologies in supply chain management.
• AI-driven decision-making in logistics and supply chain operations.
• Cybersecurity and risk management in digital supply chains.
• The role of IS in sustainable and circular supply chain management.
• IS-enabled Circular Business Models: digital solutions for product lifecycle extension, resource efficiency, and reverse logistics.

The Evolving Nature of IS and Socio-Technical Balancing

• Managing digital workforces: hybrid work, automation, and human-AI collaboration.
• Ethical implications of digital transformation and responsible AI in IS.
• AI-driven personalisation, recommendation systems, and user experience in IS.
• User behavior and digital adoption in enterprise IS environments.
• Human-centered design and usability in IS development.
• The digital divide: barriers to IS adoption in SMEs and developing economies.

Emerging Technologies and IS Innovation

• Industry 4.0 and Industry 5.0: implications for IS research and practice.
• The role of IS in intelligent automation, robotics, and cyber-physical systems.
• Digital twins and predictive analytics in business operations.
• Quantum computing and its potential impact on enterprise IS.
• Extended reality (AR/VR) and metaverse applications in business and education.
• AI-driven circular economy innovations: smart waste management, predictive maintenance, and sustainable product design.

IS Management, Governance, and Compliance

• IT governance and regulatory compliance in digital business environments.
• Cybersecurity strategies and digital resilience in IS management.
• Data privacy, ethics, and GDPR compliance in enterprise systems.
• The role of IS in corporate sustainability and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) initiatives.
• AI governance frameworks and responsible AI deployment in enterprises

IS Adoption, Success, and Value Creation

• Measuring IS success and failure: frameworks, challenges, and solutions.
• Multiple dimensions of IS value: financial, operational, and strategic impacts.
• Organisational learning and knowledge management in IS implementation.
• The role of IS in facilitating data-driven and sustainable decision-making

This track aims to facilitate discussions on how IS continues to evolve in the era of digital transformation and how businesses and societies can effectively leverage IS for sustainable growth and innovation.

Co-Track Chairs:

Muhammad Mustafa Kamal, Exeter University, UK, (email: m.m.kamal[at]exeter.ac.uk)

Syed Muhammad, Brunel University London, UK, (email: syed.muhammad[at]brunel.ac.uk)

Smart Cities

Smart cities embody a comprehensive and sustainable approach to urban development, placing the well-being of citizens at the forefront while promoting efficient resource management, driving economic growth, and fostering resilience. Through the strategic utilization of technology, data, and innovation, smart cities hold the power to revolutionize urban areas, creating thriving, sustainable, and inclusive communities. By proactively addressing the multifaceted challenges posed by urbanization, smart cities pave the way for a brighter future, one that transcends generations and leaves a lasting positive impact.

Smart cities also support climate change mitigation through energy efficiency measures, renewable energy integration, sustainable transportation solutions, waste management strategies, green infrastructure development, data-driven decision-making, and citizen engagement. By embracing smart technologies and adopting sustainable practices, cities can significantly reduce their carbon footprint and contribute to a more sustainable and resilient future.

We welcome submissions on a wide range of topics related to smart cities, including but not limited to:

• Smart Infrastructure and Services
  • Intelligent transportation systems and mobility solutions.
  • Energy-efficient buildings and smart grid technologies.
  • Integrated water management and sustainable waste management.
  • Smart healthcare, education, and public safety services.
  • Internet of Things (IoT) and Connectivity:
  • IoT-based applications and platforms for smart cities.
  • Sensor networks, data collection, and real-time monitoring.
  • Smart homes, buildings, and urban environments.
  • Edge computing and fog computing for smart cities.
  • Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence:
  • Big data analytics for urban planning and decision-making.
  • Predictive modeling and machine learning for smart cities.
  • Data-driven insights for transportation, energy, and resource optimization.
  • AI-powered applications in smart governance and citizen services.
  • Sustainable Urban Development:
  • Green infrastructure and eco-friendly city planning.
  • Renewable energy integration and energy management systems.
  • Sustainable transportation and smart mobility solutions.
  • Climate change adaptation and resilience in smart cities.
  • Citizen Engagement and Participation:
  • Participatory urban planning and co-creation in smart cities.
  • Digital platforms for citizen engagement and feedback.
  • Open data initiatives and transparency in smart city governance.
  • User-centered design and inclusive smart city solutions.