The 25th anniversary of the Working Conference on Virtual Enterprises (PRO-VE), sponsored by IFIP Working Group 5.5, was celebrated with a landmark event in Albi, France from 28-30 October last year. The theme of “Navigating Unpredictability: Collaborative Networks in Non-linear Worlds” captured the spirit of innovation and adaptability that has defined PRO-VE over the past quarter-century.

Since its launch, PRO-VE has played a key role in advancing the field of Collaborative Networks, serving as a hub for multidisciplinary collaboration and fostering the growth of this dynamic discipline. The 2024 edition continued this tradition, focusing on the vital role of Collaborative Networks in addressing the challenges of today’s VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous) environments.

A key focus of the conference was the future of Human-AI collaboration, with particular emphasis on the emergence of hybrid collaborative networks – a significant avenue for future research and innovation. This topic underscored the evolving interplay between humans and intelligent systems, sparking deep discussions on its implications for collaborative ecosystems.

True to its reputation as a “working conference”, PRO-VE 2024 facilitated vibrant dialogue and rich discussions among participants. Presentations sparked thoughtful questions that deepened scientific conversations, reinforcing PRO-VE’s role as a dynamic space for exploration. The conference brought together a wide array of perspectives, maintaining its multidisciplinary ethos by integrating social, economic and managerial insights alongside technology and engineering.

Real-world applications were a central focus, ensuring the conference balanced practical impact with sound theoretical models and solutions. Both industry and academic panels raised pressing questions, further invigorating our community’s research agenda.

Finally, the active participation of young researchers and PhD students was a standout feature of PRO-VE 2024. Their enthusiasm and fresh perspectives promise a vibrant and innovative future for the field, ensuring that the collaborative networks community remains dynamic and forward-thinking.

On this occasion, the PRO-VE community honoured Prof Luis Camarinha-Matos for his outstanding contributions to the advancement of the field of Collaborative Networks. His pioneering work, vision and dedication have been instrumental in shaping this multidisciplinary domain, inspiring researchers and practitioners worldwide

The next edition of PRO-VE will be held in Porto, Portugal on 27-29 Oct 2025.

For more information, visit www.pro-ve.org