INESC-ID

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  • Paulo Carreira, INESC-ID Researcher, named Fellow of Information Privacy from the International Association of Privacy Professionals

    Paulo Carreira, INESC-ID Researcher, named Fellow of Information Privacy from the International Association of Privacy Professionals

    Paulo Carreira, researcher at INESC-ID and Associate Professor at the Instituto Superior Técnico (IST), was named a Fellow of Information Privacy (FIP) from the International Association of Privacy Professionals.

    The title acknowledges senior professionals who possess expertise in applying privacy laws, practices, and technologies to practical situations. To be eligible, candidates must exhibit continuous dedication and leadership regarding privacy and data protection, while also holding a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP) certification, along with either a Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM) or a Certified Information Privacy Technologist (CIPT) certification.

    Paulo Carreira co-founded Sensei in 2017, and is a pioneer in the application of privacy-enhancing technologies in the smart retail industry. He has over ten years of teaching experience in information systems at IST and a longstanding participation in Instituto Superior Técnico’s course, focusing on privacy and security.

  • In the Media: Rui Castro writes on the urgency of electrification for Portugal’s Energy Plan on Jornal i

    In the Media: Rui Castro writes on the urgency of electrification for Portugal’s Energy Plan on Jornal i

    Rui Castro, INESC-ID Researcher under the Sustainable Power Systems Scientific Area, and Full Professor at Instituto Superior Técnico, authored an opinion article, published in the newspaper “Jornal i”, titled “Electrification of consumption: an urgent need” (Eletrificação dos consumos: uma necessidade urgente).

    In this article, Rui Castro raises concerns about future national electric energy consumption, noting that if the National Energy and Climate Plan is successful, the installed capacity in the National Electricity System (SEN) will double by 2030, greatly surpassing current demand.

    “We may have a problem of lack of consumption as early as 2030 if measures are not taken to promote the electrification of consumption, particularly in transport.”, states Rui Castro.

    According to the researcher, while these ambitious plans are a step in the right direction, they create a need for consumption of the produced energy. As Spain is also heavily investing in the installation of Renewable Energy Resources, exportation to Portugal’s neighbour country is hardly a viable option. Therefore, besides the natural intake from economy, families and industry, it is crucial to consider non-conventional intakes such as pumped hydroelectric power plants, and other innovative solutions.

    Additionally, Rui Castro  highlights two case studies to illustrate the issue, including a study carried out by a team at Instituto Superior Técnico, aiming to assess the needs for flexible power in 2030. Both cases show a probability for lack of consumption as early as 2030 if measures are not taken to promote the electrification of consumption. 

    Full article here (PT)

    (image source: Generative AI)

  • Key Insights from the “Leadership in Research and Innovation in the Age of AI” event

    Key Insights from the “Leadership in Research and Innovation in the Age of AI” event

    “AI-driven science extends beyond academia, fostering both innovation and economic growth,” declared the Deputy Director-General for Research and Innovation, Signe Ratso, while participating in the event “Leadership in Research and Innovation in the Age of AI”, an initiative of INESC Brussels HUB, co-organized with the European Commission and the NCBR Office in Brussels.

    Over 60 leading R&D administrators, managers, researchers, and policymakers gathered in Brussels, on June 5 and 6, to discuss this crucial topic in a workshop format, sharing insights and developing strategies to face the challenges posed by AI. INESC-ID President, Inês Lynce, who was one of the six INESC-ID community members participating in the event, emphasized the “diversity of the attendees” and the “strong expertise in public policies some of them possess.”

    The meeting was also an opportunity to discuss the EU strategy on AI since 2018 and initiatives like GENAI4EU and AI Factories and the “Living guidelines on the responsible use of generative AI in research”, as presented by Liviy Stirbat, Head of Unit for AI in Science in the DG for Research and Innovation at the European Commission. From the companies’ side, Ondrej Socuvka, Senior EU Public Policy and Government Affairs Manager at Google EU, shared how Google scientists are pushing AI’s boundaries responsibly.

    “Listening to different perspectives concerning the use of AI in research institutions, in order to help us work better and improve the way they function, is what I cherish the most from the two days with the Brussels Hub,” said Rui Prada, INESC-ID researcher within the Artificial Intelligence for People and Society research area. “These events give us the opportunity to reflect on subjects that we often do not have time to consider in our daily lives.”

    Inês Lynce also stressed the relevance of these immersive experiences: “It forces you to leave your comfort zone and think about the future of the institution and how we can make a difference.”

    Images | © 2024 INESC Brussels HUB

  • NOVA SBE & Meta Executive Meeting Event highlights AI’s Role in Open Innovation

    NOVA SBE & Meta Executive Meeting Event highlights AI’s Role in Open Innovation

    On June 17,  INESC-ID president, Inês Lynce, participated in an exclusive executive meeting event organised by NOVA SBE and co-organised with Meta, focused on “How can Artificial Intelligence foster Open Innovation.” This opportunity allowed industry leaders to engage and explore the transformative power of AI in driving open innovation.

    Discussions highlighted AI’s role as a catalyst for collaborative innovation, its ability to enhance R&D by analysing vast data sources, and the ethical considerations essential for responsible AI use, such as data privacy and fairness. Additionally, the event explored the future landscape of AI and open innovation, examining emerging technologies and their potential challenges and opportunities for business and society.

    (Image credits: Nova SBE Open & User Innovation Knowledge Center)

  • Renata Castelo Branco at the final of the 3MThesis competition with her work on algorithms to draw buildings

    Renata Castelo Branco at the final of the 3MThesis competition with her work on algorithms to draw buildings

    How can one use algorithms to draw buildings? That is the question that Renata Castelo Branco, a junior researcher at INESC-ID, from the scientific area Graphics and Interaction, and a PhD student in Computer Engineering at Instituto Superior Técnico, answered to, in three minutes and with a single slide. “An algorithm is a set of instructions for the computer to execute the house model”, she explained, during her presentation in the final of the competition 3-Minute Thesis (3MT).

    Renata was speaking at the event, that took place on June 6, at the magnificent amphitheatre of the National Museum of Natural History and Science, Universidade de Lisboa (UL), with the twelve finalists coming from different faculties of UL and covering topics that go from literature, to politics and veterinary medicine.

    The 3MT academic competition at Universidade de Lisboa is designed to develop unique skills in doctoral students, such as communicating complex ideas simply and creatively to diverse audiences, following the rule of spending just three minutes and using a single slide. The competition is inspired by a format developed and patented by the University of Queensland, Australia (3MT®). And under the principle that “knowledge is too important to be closed, it must reach society”, said the vice-rector of UL, Cecília Rodrigues.

    Renata’s presentation was vivid, clear and with perfect timing. Prior to announcing the first prize winner, the UL rector Luís Anjos Ferreira remembered that in old days the students were not allowed in the centre stage of the amphitheatre. “Today we have the students on this side, teaching the professors”, he stressed.

    Nuno Jordão, from Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, got the first prize, with a surprising presentation about genetic manipulation of virus to fight African swine fever, Nuno Gonçalves, from Faculdade de Ciências, with a talk about rainbows in other planets reached the second place and Marco Ribeiro on third, presenting a study about political conscience in medieval artisans.

    A video of all the presentations can be seen here.

    Images | © 2024 INESC-ID

  • INESC-ID Board members and researchers participate in Summer School on leadership in the age of AI

    INESC-ID Board members and researchers participate in Summer School on leadership in the age of AI

    Artificial Intelligence is forcing us to rethink and reshape everything, from leadership to research and innovation. It presents both a challenge and an opportunity. In this defiant and exciting context, INESC Brussels HUB is inviting 25 top R&I administrators, managers, researchers, and policymakers from across Europe to a highly dynamic “lunch to lunch” participatory workshop, taking place on June 5 and 6.

    With an emphasis on active engagement, this summer school ensures valuable and actionable outcomes for all attendees.

    The methodology includes presentations, collaborative discussions and workshops enabling participants to benchmark their practices against leading AI standards; gain insights and innovative strategies for their institutions; network with top experts from academia, industry and policy-making.

    INESC-ID President, Inês Lynce, along with other Board members and researchers from our institution will attend the Brussels meeting, joined by representatives from all other four INESC Group institutions. The list of participants includes AICEP Portugal Global, the European Research Council and various European research institutions.

  • Tackling EU’s AI Act regulation challenges: PLMJ and INESC-ID sign collaboration protocol

    Tackling EU’s AI Act regulation challenges: PLMJ and INESC-ID sign collaboration protocol

    On May 14, the law firm PLMJ and INESC-ID established a protocol to collaborate, each bringing their unique expertise, in developing and implementing specific programs to ensure that AI systems comply with the standards of the new European Union’s Artificial Intelligence Regulation, the world’s first comprehensive AI law.

    This partnership aims to develop new methodologies combining law and technology to check AI systems at every stage, from design to deployment, to make sure they’re safe and fair. The two partners will also promote training and knowledge sharing to enhance understanding of AI’s technical and legal aspects.

    Pedro Lomba, the coordinating partner of the Technology, Media, and Telecommunications sector at PLMJ, emphasised that “the compliance assessment with the AI Regulation—a pioneering law—will be unlike anything we have done so far in Technology Law”, and stressed the necessity for multidisciplinary knowledge about “a rapidly evolving family of technologies, some of which are new,” and the significance of partnering with “a robust technological partner like INESC-ID, which has performed unparalleled work in these areas.”

    Inês Lynce, President of INESC-ID, highlighted the institute’s extensive AI research and its contribution to providing a balanced view on AI’s potential and risks, and pointed out the critical need for “strong collaboration between entities skilled in legal and technological domains, a collaboration made possible through this partnership.”

    Read the full  PLMJ’s press release here.

    (image source: Generative AI)

  • Advancing Monitoring of Pandemics and Contagious Diseases: M.U.S.T and GMU visit INESC-ID

    Advancing Monitoring of Pandemics and Contagious Diseases: M.U.S.T and GMU visit INESC-ID

    A delegation of experts from the Macau University of Science and Technology (M.U.S.T) and Guangzhou Medical University (GMU) visited INESC-ID on May 17. The delegation was interested in learning about INESC-ID, as part of a collaboration between the three entities for the advancement of health monitoring.

    INESC-ID welcomed the delegation in the morning, presenting both INESC and INESC-ID to the participants while also taking the opportunity to showcase ongoing projects within the scope. 

    “The goal of this interaction is to develop and provide methods and algorithms that can be used for monitoring and predicting the evolution of pandemics, and other contagious diseases”, revealed Arlindo Oliveira, INESC President and INESC-ID researcher, who presented the INESC group. 

    Inês Lynce, president of INESC-ID, who was also present, and gave an overview of the institution, referred to the  “cooperation, and data sharing amongst the institutes benefits all parties involved, representing a key element driving them towards achieving the common goal.”  

    The effort in this area has been supported by the Foundation for Science and Technology and the Guangzhou National Laboratory and the project is led by professors Arlindo Oliveira, Ana Teresa Freitas and Hon Chi Tin.

    Images | © 2024 INESC-ID

  • INESC-ID’s researcher awarded a Fulbright scholarship to advance cancer treatment

    INESC-ID’s researcher awarded a Fulbright scholarship to advance cancer treatment

    When the gene editing technology, known as CRISPR-Cas, has come to light, a small revolution in the way we manage illness has started to happen. The potential to diagnose and treat health conditions, such as cancer, exponentially increases when Artificial Intelligence is incorporated. That’s exactly what Emanuel Gonçalves, a researcher at INESC-ID specializing in Automated Reasoning and Software Reliability and a teacher at Técnico, will be doing over the course of his sabbatical at the Broad Institute, of MIT and Harvard, under a Fulbright scholarship that he has just been awarded. “The Broad Institute is a leading institution in the area!”, stresses Emanuel. “And the Fulbright Program is, at the moment, one of the few supporting sabbatical leaves, with the advantage of including the possibility to take the family”, adds the father of two infants.

    During his three months stay in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on the second trimester of 2025, the researcher will analyse a rich CRISPR-Cas9 screen resulting from lab work previously done by the experimental team. Emanuel, who has been working on the application of machine learning to cancer biology and drug resistance, particularly integrating high-throughput functional genetic screens with rich multi-omic technologies – allowing for the analyses of multiple types of biological data simultaneously – plans to develop an efficient method for modelling this information, enabling combinatorial-based editing screenings. That is, to study several interactions and disturbances among proteins simultaneously.

    This visit to The Broad Institute will further “enhance IST and INESC-ID’s participation in the international DepMap consortium”, a platform aimed at empowering the research community to make discoveries related to cancer vulnerabilities. Additionally, “it will provide insights into emerging technologies shaping the next generation of machine learning models in cellular biology,” the researcher noted in his application.

    Fascinated by the potential of gene-editing to study cancer, Emanuel has been involved in a series of studies focused on applying CRISPR-Cas9 screens on a large scale. The ultimate goal during his stay at the Broad Institute is to employ novel machine learning approaches to stratify patients effectively and identify drug targets in innovative ways.

  • Fostering Collaboration for Technological Advancements: A Partnership Between SGInnovate and INESC-ID

    Fostering Collaboration for Technological Advancements: A Partnership Between SGInnovate and INESC-ID

    It is one of the largest markets in the world, making the collaboration between SGInnovate, a leading Singaporean government-backed organization, focused on deep tech innovation, and INESC-ID an excellent opportunity to foster partnerships and drive technological advancements with societal impact. “Innovation knows no borders, and we hope that our initial engagement with SG Innovate marks the beginning of a fruitful partnership, particularly in facilitating access to new funding mechanisms and markets for innovative ideas,” notes Sílvia Castro, Head of the Innovation Office at INESC-ID, who was part of the team that received a Singaporean delegation visiting the premises of INESC-ID.

    SGInnovate, private-limited company wholly owned by the Singapore Government, specialized in supporting and scaling Deep Tech startups, aiming to address global challenges through innovation. Based in Singapore, it is focused on developing Human Capital and deploying Investment Capital to empower entrepreneurial initiatives around emerging technologies like Advanced Manufacturing, AgriFood, Healthcare, Biomedical Sciences, and Sustainability. Juliana Lim, SGInnovate’s Executive Director & Talent, and Samantha Fong, Manager of Partnerships, were also hosted by Miguel Correia, Board Member of INESC-ID.

    The tour was also an opportunity to meet with representatives from INESC-ID’s startup, including Diogo Rato Co-Founder of Testwaves, Miguel Freire Co-Founder & CEO at Neural Shift, Alexandre David Chief Operating Office at VoiceInteraction, and Marcelino Santos, Co-founder of SiliconGate. “SGInnovate has supported so far around two thousand startups in Singapore. A collaboration between INESC-ID’s startups and SGInnovate may open doors to the expansion on these startups to Singapore, and from there to the Asian market. This is an incredible opportunity for the expansion of their business”, stresses Miguel Correia.

    The visit was organized in collaboration with ANI, Startup Portugal, and AICEP, and included other Portuguese research institutes. “Together, we are laying the groundwork to amplify the impact of our deep tech solutions”, summarizes Sílvia Castro.

    (Image: Sílvia Castro with the SGInnovate delegation members, Juliana Lim and Samantha Fong | © 2024 INESC-ID)