We start the AIthena Partners Interview Series with the AIthena project coordinator, Vicomtech.

Vicomtech is an RTO specialised in Digital Technologies related to Artificial Intelligence, Visual Computing and Interaction located in San Sebastian, Spain. We research and develop technology in collaboration with businesses, other centres and universities to generate a positive impact on our environment through technology transfer.

What is the role of Vicomtech and the team in the AIthena project?

Within the Transport and Security Division led by Dr. Oihana Otaegui, AIthena’s project coordinator, the Connected and Cooperative Automated Systems team is mainly involved in this action, with the guidance of Dr. Marcos Nieto. Our team is actively engaged in multiple facets of the project’s objectives, including project coordination, technical contributions, and methodological advancements. We are ultimately responsible for ensuring seamless project coordination, fostering effective communication among all stakeholders, and facilitating the alignment of project activities with overarching goals.

What are you currently working on in the project?

Vicomtech is actively engaged in project coordination efforts. Additionally, our organization plays a pivotal role in shaping the project’s methodology by contributing to the development of a comprehensive guideline document. This document addresses critical ethical, liability, privacy, and transparency considerations related to the utilization of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Connected, Cooperative and Automated Mobility (CCAM).

Furthermore, Vicomtech leads the charge in creating and managing both real and synthetic data, ensuring the fulfilment of data requirements in building a reliable AI system. This entails establishing traceability and defining key performance indicators (KPIs), among other aspects. These efforts are closely linked to our final technical contribution, which involves the establishment of a Machine Learning Operations (MLOps) framework. This framework is designed to enhance transparency, ultimately boosting the trustworthiness of AI solutions within the project.

From your perspective, how do you see the contribution of the AIthena project to building trustworthy, explainable, and accountable AI-based CCAM?

From our perspective, the AIthena project holds immense promise in advancing the development of trustworthy, explainable, and accountable AI-based CCAM systems. One of the key contributions lies in its comprehensive approach to addressing the ethical, transparency, and liability aspects of AI utilization in CCAM, as well as its emphasis on traceability and accountability generating Trustworthy AI manual for CCAM domain. Through collaborative efforts and the synthesis of expertise from various stakeholders, AIthena seeks to establish a robust framework that not only ensures the safety and reliability of AI systems but also fosters understanding and trust among end-users and regulatory bodies. By promoting transparency and explainability in AI algorithms and decision-making processes, the project aims to bridge the gap between technical innovation and societal acceptance, ultimately accelerating the adoption of AI-driven CCAM solutions while maintaining a strong focus on ethical principles and accountability. This holistic approach makes AIthena a significant and promising contributor to the advancement of trustworthy AI-based CCAM.

You can read more about Vicomtech at Smart Mobility (vicomtech.org)