ERCIM News 142
October 2025
Special theme Inclusive Digital Futures: Intersectionality, Accessibility, and Responsible Innovation
Guest editors Magdalini Chatzaki (FORTH-ICS) and Anna Szlávi (Johannes Kepler University)
Inclusive Digital Futures: Intersectionality, Accessibility, and Responsible Innovation - Introduction to the Special Theme
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Guest Editors: Magdalini Chatzaki (FORTH-ICS) and Anna Szlávi (Johannes Kepler University)
As Computer Science (CS) drives the digitalisation of nearly every aspect of modern life, it is vital that it reflects the diversity and variability of the real world in order to develop systems that address a wide range of societal needs. Digital technologies and artefacts influence all domains of life: they transform the world we live in, including society, the economy, and culture. Technological development and systems design are intrinsically intertwined with social progress and change. They are, in fact, the flagships of our societies.
Securing Open Source for a Trusted and Inclusive Digital Future
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by George Hatzivasilis and Sotirios Ioannidis (Technical University of Crete)
Open source solutions empower innovation and accessibility worldwide, but their security challenges can hinder responsible and inclusive digital development. The EU-funded SecOPERA project addresses this by delivering a holistic framework for securing open source software and hardware, reinforcing trust and sustainability.
The Role of AI-Based Age Estimation in Promoting Safer Digital Environments for Children: Ethical and Accessibility Considerations
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by Emmanouela Kokolaki and Paraskevi Fragopoulou (FORTH-ICS)
In Greece, SafeLine—the national hotline for reporting illegal online content and a core service of the Greek Safer Internet Center under the auspices of the Foundation for Research and Technology–Hellas (FORTH), is the first officially recognized Trusted Flagger under the Digital Services Act (DSA). Among its key activities is monitoring emerging challenges brought about by new regulatory developments. At present, a matter of particular concern to the Greek Hotline regarding children's access to online services is age estimation techniques. Do these practices truly serve the best interests of children, or do they risk reinforcing surveillance and bias at the expense of fostering genuine inclusion?
SafeLine.gr - The First Official Trusted Flagger Organisation under the Digital Services Act (DSA) in Greece
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by Meltini Christodoulaki and Paraskevi Fragopoulou (FORTH-ICS)
Under the Digital Services Act (DSA) [L1], lawmakers aim to tackle the spread of illegal internet content and to protect the fundamental rights of internet users, especially minors who use very large online platforms (VLOPs) and very large online search engines (VLOSEs). Safeline [L2], the Greek Hotline against illegal internet content, has been officially recognised as the first Trusted Flagger at national level in Greece, under the DSA.
Breaking Free from Historical Bias in Computing to Build an Inclusive Digital Future
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by Christophe Ponsard, Marie d’Udekem-Gevers (University of Namur) and Gaelle De Cupere (NAM-IP)
Today, digitalisation has nearly achieved global coverage, but it still falls short of ensuring fair and inclusive access for all citizens, regardless of origin, age, or gender. Here, we provide a historical perspective that highlights how major biases have emerged over time in computing, how they are being addressed, and barriers that remain to overcome.
Resources to Launch a Mentoring Program for Women in Computing
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by Anna Szlávi (Johannes Kepler University), Minh Dan Nguyen (Norwegian University of Science and Technology)
The scarcity of women in computing – broadly STEM –is a persistent challenge. A number of interventions have been dedicated to tackle the key challenges related to the gender gap; the Erasmus+ “Women STEM UP” project being one of these efforts. In this article, we provide details about tools and resources developed for setting up a mentorship program for a better gender inclusion in the field.
Empowering Tomorrow's Scholars: Advancing Research-Based Teaching in Public Universities
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Eliot Bytyçi (University of Prishtina)
The Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation of Kosovo, together with the Austrian-funded HEI25 project, is pioneering innovative approaches to link research and teaching in public universities. At the University of Prishtina, computer science students turned their coursework into hands-on research, gaining skills while promoting gender balance in academia. This initiative marks a bold step toward more innovative, competitive, and inclusive higher education in Kosovo.
Training Tomorrow’s Surveyors—Today: Inclusive Geomatics Training through Extended Reality
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by Petros Patias (KIKLO), Charalampos Georgiadis (AUTH), Patrick Bourdot (EuroXR)
The SURE-VFT project aspires to harness XR technologies for inclusive and accessible training in photogrammetry, 3D modelling, and remote sensing based on training provided through virtual field trips (VFTs) available through the XR4ED education platform [L1]. The project aims to lower barriers of geography, cost, mobility, and access to equipment—contributing to more equitable opportunities for hands-on education.
Mind the Gender Gap in Computer Science
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by Magdalini Chatzaki, Maria Makridaki (Institute of Computer Science – Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas)
MindGenGapICT is an institutional change project for promoting Diversity, Inclusivity and Gender Equality (DIE) at the Institute of Computer Science of the Foundation for Research and Technology – Hellas (FORTH-ICS). It responds to the persistent underrepresentation of women and other marginalized groups in Computer Science research and professional environments, an imbalance also evident within FORTH-ICS.
AI-Assisted Data Literacy for Inclusive Learning and Teaching
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by Marina Buzzi (CNR-IIT), Barbara Leporini (University of Pisa & CNR-ISTI), Angelica Lo Duca (CNR-IIT)
Within the STEMMA (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Motivation and Accessibility) project, we explore how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can make data literacy more inclusive exploiting storytelling approaches that open access for blind and visually impaired students, and adaptive platforms that support teachers in personalising educational strategies.
Leaving No One Behind: Leveraging a Task Force to Embed AI across Technical and Non-Technical Areas of a Research and Technology Organization
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by Eva M. Molin, Alexander Schindler and Peter Biegelbauer (AIT Austrian Institute of Technology)
Becoming “AI-ready” is not about chasing trends but about laying solid foundations. At the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology, a dedicated AI Task Force drives this shift by building the right infrastructure, fostering targeted training, and setting clear ethical and legal guidance. Together, these pillars turn artificial intelligence from promise into practice, making innovation both rapid and responsible.
Breaking Boundaries in Classrooms: Fostering Gender Inclusion in K-12 STEM
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by Rukiye Altın (Kiel University), Monica Landoni (Università della Svizzera italiana) and Vivian Vimarlund (Linköping University)
Digital technologies are transforming society, yet gender inequalities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) remain a persistent challenge [L1] in all levels of education. Gender stereotypes in STEM function in two ways: on the one hand, they undermine girls’ interest and performance; on the other hand, they boost boys’ attraction to and confidence in the field [L2].
When Used Outdoors, Augmented Reality Amplifies Situational Disabilities
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by Attila Bekkvik Szentirmai (University of South-Eastern Norway)
A rainy-day pilot shows how current AR headsets struggle outdoors, turning ordinary weather into amplified situational disabilities and underscoring the need for weather-ready inclusive design.
When Everyone Can Play, Does Playing Still Matter? Inclusive Instrument or Gimmick?
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Attila Bekkvik Szentirmai (University of South-Eastern Norway)
We built an inclusive augmented reality guitar to make music-making accessible to almost anyone. But our tests revealed a paradox: can too much accessibility undermine an instrument’s authenticity?
Digital Accessibility - A Pathway to Inclusion!
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by Damien Dechambre and Isabelle Lacoffrette (Inria)
Digital tools have become essential to our personal and professional lives. With the rise of remote work, most administrative and business processes have moved online. It has become nearly impossible to manage without a smartphone or internet access! When digital accessibility is overlooked, millions of people with disabilities are excluded, along with those who are digitally marginalized (such as older adults or individuals with limited digital skills). Implementing and respecting digital accessibility within an organization, institution, or company means promoting inclusion for all!
Smart Office for Everyone: Real-Time Adaptation to Promote Inclusion and Well-Being
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by Susanne Peer (University of Applied Science Burgenland) and Igor Ivkić (University of Applied Science Burgenland and Lancaster University)
Intelligent office solutions increasingly rely on the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to optimize efficiency and comfort1]. However, these solutions often neglect the needs of different generations, such as the tech-savvy Generation Z, work-life balance-conscious Millennials, and experienced Generation X employees [L3, L7]. To address this, a cloud-based IoT prototype integrating adaptive environmental control with generation-specific workplace strategies was created [3], demonstrating its potential to promote inclusion and productivity for all age groups in modern workplaces [2]. The approach improves comfort and inclusivity by incorporating generation-specific adaptations, positively impacting well-being and productivity.
Design for All and Universal Access in the Age of Human-Centered AI
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by George Margetis, Stavroula Ntoa and Constantine Stephanidis (FORTH-ICS)
For more than three decades, the Human–Computer Interaction Laboratory at FORTH-ICS has pioneered research and development in Design for All and Universal Access. Today, these principles are more relevant than ever as society faces global challenges and transitions to AI-enabled digital environments, necessitating new methodologies and tools to make technology accessible to all.
Assessing Queer Gender and Sexuality Biases in Large Language Models
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by Mae Sosto (CWI), Delfina Sol Martinez Pandiani (University of Amsterdam), Laura Hollink (CWI)
AI systems don't just learn language, they also absorb and reproduce social biases. At CWI's Human-Centered Data Analytics group, we test Large Language Models with template-based sentences and queer identity markers, revealing systematic patterns of exclusion. Our goal: to develop methods and datasets that help make language technologies fairer and more inclusive.
Objectification in Films as a New Video Interpretation Task for Artificial Intelligence
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by Lucile Sassatelli (Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, I3S) and Hui-Yin Wu (Université Côte d'Azur, Inria)
Designing AI models to help analyse film corpora by detecting character objectification, or "male gaze"? Building an interdisciplinary synergy between three laboratories in social sciences and three laboratories in computer science, this is the endeavor of the TRACTIVE research project [L1] we present in this article.
Green, Responsible, Privacy-Preserving Data Operations: Results of the GLACIATION Project
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by Peter Kunz (ERCIM)
With the GLACIATION project concluded in September 2025, the consortium presents a suite of validated tools and methods enabling energy-aware, privacy-preserving data operations in distributed infrastructures, demonstrated via four real-world pilots and publicly showcased at its Final Conference in Brussels.
A System Dynamics Model to Investigate the Effects of Policies in Circular Construction in Ireland
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by Claudia Roessing, Sam Samtosh and Markus Helfert (Innovation Value Institute, Maynooth University)
VISION, a project that offers a support tool for policymakers and other stakeholders to help analyse the adoption of sustainable practices. The tool demonstrates a practical application of the advantages of implementing circular economy principles, not only in terms of environmental protection, but also in maximising the efficient use of material resources in the construction sector.
Forecasting Air Pollution at Construction Sites: A New Framework for Environmental and Social Sustainability
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by Eliezer Zahid Gill, Daniela Cardone, Alessia Amelio (Department InGeo, University "G. d'Annunzio" Chieti-Pescara, Italy)
The study introduces a new framework using transfer learning with deep neural networks for reliably forecasting multiple air pollutants and is designed for use at construction sites. The framework outperforms other related approaches, enhancing environmental monitoring and promoting sustainability.
Automatic Battery Recharging for a Cooperative Robot Swarm
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by Daniel H. Stolfi and Carlos Kavka (Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology)
Swarms of collaborative robots have been proposed for performing several complex tasks in scientific literature and industry. However, powered by batteries, these devices need to be recharged sooner or later to continue working. We propose a swarm-intelligence-based algorithm for automatically recharging the swarm members by calculating optimal paths while avoiding robot collisions.
Studying how Different Hyper-parameters Affect Particle Swarm Optimization
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by George Tambouratzis (Athena Research Centre) and Gary Pampara (Stellenbosh University University)
Computational Intelligence algorithms are designed to mimic the way groups of organisms collaborate to achieve a certain objective [1]. In computational intelligence there are several hyper-parameters that govern the performance of the algorithm and that must be properly set-up. Here we summarise the HYPCIA project, aimed at determining the best values for these hyper-parameters, in order to help researchers choose more appropriate values (at least as a starting point) to solve specific real-world tasks.
Empowering Intelligent Swarms with the SmartEdge Low-Code Toolchain
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by André Paul (Fraunhofer FOKUS)
A new low-code toolchain enables resilient, real-time collaboration among heterogeneous edge devices, forming intelligent and autonomous swarms for smart IoT applications. By integrating semantic interoperability and dynamic self-organisation, these swarms can operate independently at the edge, even in changing or unpredictable environments. The SmartEdge project brings together advanced networking, AI, and usability tools to empower next-generation distributed systems.
NEPHELE: Orchestrating the Compute Continuum
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by Peter Kunz (on behalf of the Nephele consortium)
The Horizon Europe project NEPHELE - a lightweight software stack and synergetic meta-orchestration framework for the next generation compute continuum - delivers a reference architecture, software components, and initial releases that coordinate cloud-edge-IoT resources for “hyper-distributed” applications through a meta-orchestrator, a virtual-object stack for IoT, and a developer dashboard, validated across four pilots.
Miriam Santos Wins the 2025 Cor Baayen Award
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Announcement
Dr Miriam Santos, Assistant Professor at the University of Porto, has been awarded the 2025 Cor Baayen Award for her outstanding research in data quality and ethical AI.
30th International Conference on Formal Methods for Industrial Critical Systems (FMICS'25)
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by Maurice ter Beek (CNR-ISTI, Pisa, Italy)
The yearly conference of the ERCIM Working Group on Formal Methods for Industrial Critical Systems, FMICS, the key conference at the intersection of industrial applications and formal methods, reached its 30th edition. This year, the participants met in Aarhus, Denmark, on 27-28 August 2025.
13th International Workshop on Computational Intelligence for Multimedia Understanding
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by Behçet Uğur Töreyin (İTÜ), Maria Trocan (ISEP) and Davide Moroni (CNR-ISTI)
The 13th International Workshop on Computational Intelligence for Multimedia Understanding (IWCIM), organised by the ERCIM Working Group on Multimedia Understanding through Semantics, Computation and Learning (MUSCLE) [L1], was held as a special session during the IEEE International Symposium on Circuits and Systems (ISCAS) 2025 in London.
Dagstuhl Seminars and Perspectives Workshops
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Call for Proposals
Schloss Dagstuhl – Leibniz-Zentrum für Informatik is accepting proposals for scientific seminars/workshops in all areas of computer science, in particular also in connection with other fields.
33rd IEEE International Conference on Software Analysis, Evolution, and Reengineering (SANER 2026) - Tracks Call for Papers
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Limassol, Cyprus, 17-20 March 2026
The Research Track of the 33rd edition of the IEEE International Conference on Software Analysis, Evolution, and Reengineering (SANER 2026) invites high-quality submissions of papers describing original and unpublished research. We encourage submissions describing various types of research, e.g., empirical, theoretical, and tool-oriented work.
Welcome to the 45th SAFECOMP 2026 - Call for Papers
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Valencia, Spain, 22-25 September 2026 at the Universitat Politècnica de València
The theme of the 2026 edition of SAFECOMP will be “Engineering safe and sustainable computing systems”. Safety engineering must evolve to address this dual challenge: guaranteeing safety while ensuring sustainability in computing infrastructures.
21st International Workshop on Dependable Smart Embedded Cyber-Physical Systems and Systems-of-Systems (DECSoS 2026)
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Announcement
The DECSoS Workshop is a continuation of an initiative launched by the ERCIM-DES Working Group and has been successfully held over many years. Hosted at SAFECOMP, the workshop has followed its own tradition since 2006.
IAB/W3C Workshop on Age-Based Restrictions on Content Access
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Workshop Report
The IAB/W3C Workshop on Age-Based Restrictions on Content Access, held in London on 7-9 October 2025, examined the technical and architectural implications of implementing age-based restrictions on online content access.
Python: The Documentary - From CWI to the World
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Announcement
“Python: The Documentary” premiered at the PyCon 2025 conference, offering a fascinating look at the creation and global impact of programming language Python. It can now also be seen on YouTube. Warmly recommended!