Umeå University partner in 50 million Euros AI research

Virginia Dignum, Frank Dignum och Helena Lindgren, all professors at the Department of Computing Science.

ImageMikael Hansson

The European Commission funding will strengthen human-centered AI research towards a future where Artificial Intelligence will enhance human capability and wellbeing, and improve our society. Four different networks of excellence and one coordinating action have been selected.

Umeå University will be partner in one of the networks named HumanE-AI-Net. The aim is to develop scientific foundations and technological breakthroughs needed to shape the AI revolution in a direction that is beneficial to humans both individually and societally, and that adheres to European ethical values and social, cultural, legal, and political norms.

Senior researchers participating at Umeå University are Helena Lindgren, Virginia Dignum and Frank Dignum from the department of Computing Science.

“The network, in which Umeå University will take one of the leading roles, consolidates and accelerates Europe’s strongest human-centered AI research. It will shape the future humane AI systems that we will live and work with, and which we will want to be able to trust,” says professor Helena Lindgren.

“At Umeå University, we will lead the work package on ethical and responsible AI and co-coordinate the work package on societal AI,” says professor Virginia Dignum.

The core challenge in HumanE-AI-Net is the development of robust, trustworthy AI systems capable of what could be described as “understanding” humans, adapting to complex real-world environments, and appropriately interacting in complex social settings. The aim is to facilitate AI systems that enhance human capabilities and empower individuals and society as a whole while respecting human autonomy and self-determination.

“This project is critical to ensure that AI develops in a direction that is beneficial to humans both individually and societally, and that adheres to European values and social, cultural, legal, and democratic norms,” says professor Frank Dignum.