The ECML PKDD past conferences archive provides an essential look into the evolution of one of the leading European conference series on machine learning and knowledge discovery. From its beginnings as the European Working Session on Learning (EWSL) in 1986 to its establishment as ECML, and the later merger with PKDD in 2001, this history reflects the rapid development of AI and data science research in Europe.
From the ECML history 2007 perspective, the conference series was already more than two decades old, with a reputation for attracting leading international researchers, presenting groundbreaking work, and fostering collaboration across disciplines.
Chronological Evolution
The conference began as the European Working Session on Learning (EWSL) in 1986, offering a specialized venue for the emerging field of machine learning. In 1993, it was officially renamed the European Conference on Machine Learning (ECML). Meanwhile, the Principles of Knowledge Discovery in Databases (PKDD) conference was established in 1997 to address the rising importance of data mining. By 2001, the two series were merged into a single joint event, ECML/PKDD, which continues today as one of the largest European gatherings in the field.
Key Milestones
- 1986: First European Working Session on Learning (EWSL), setting the stage for European machine learning research.
- 1993: EWSL becomes ECML, reflecting the maturity of machine learning as a research field.
- 1997: Launch of PKDD to meet the rising demand for data mining research exchange.
- 2001: ECML and PKDD merge into a joint conference series, creating a comprehensive platform for both machine learning and data mining.
- 2007: ECML PKDD held in Warsaw, Poland, with a rich program of tutorials, workshops, and discovery challenges.
Conference Locations and Dates
| Year | Conference | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | EWSL | Orsay, France |
| 1991 | EWSL | Porto, Portugal |
| 1993 | ECML | Vienna, Austria |
| 1997 | PKDD | Trondheim, Norway |
| 2001 | ECML/PKDD | Freiburg, Germany |
| 2004 | ECML/PKDD | Pisa, Italy |
| 2006 | ECML/PKDD | Berlin, Germany |
| 2007 | ECML/PKDD | Warsaw, Poland |
Resources and Links
- ECML PKDD Official Website
- Springer Proceedings Archive
- Organizing Committees Archive
- Sponsors and Supporters
Legacy of ECML PKDD up to 2007
From the perspective of 2007, ECML PKDD represented the culmination of two decades of European leadership in AI research. The conference had become a hub for advances in data streams, semantic web, clustering, classification, and real-world knowledge discovery. It also established itself as a training ground for young researchers through tutorials, workshops, and challenges.
The merger of ECML and PKDD fostered an integrated scientific community, encouraging cross-disciplinary insights and pushing forward both theoretical and applied machine learning. The Warsaw edition in 2007 continued this tradition with high-quality research and collaborative networking opportunities.
Looking Ahead: ECML PKDD 2025
The ECML PKDD past conferences archive demonstrates a rich history of innovation and collaboration. As the community looks forward to ECML PKDD 2025, researchers, practitioners, and students can reflect on the conference’s historical trajectory and anticipate new breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data mining.
Join the upcoming ECML PKDD 2025 and be part of the next chapter in this evolving history.