The project’s initial phase aimed at gaining a better understanding of ethics and human rights implications of SIS. 10 case studies application areas that employ SIS were collected and analysed. A further five areas were investigated using the newly developed methodology of policy scenarios. In parallel, the project analysed the human rights impacts of SIS and technical aspects of security weaknesses of SIS, which can undermine their trustworthiness. These investigations were accompanied by the creation of a stakeholder board comprising approximately 30 individuals representing a range of stakeholder groups. The stakeholder engagement in the project was further supported by a stakeholder list including more than 1,000 individuals. In addition, a Delphi study of experts was undertaken to validate key project findings. The consortium contributed to standardisation activities and explored threats to and defense approaches for SIS, focusing in particular on the class of training data poisoning attacks. The project undertook successful dissemination and communication activities, including a website (reaching 153,393 views), Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook (with 668 followers on Twitter, 354 connections and 191 followers on LinkedIn and 57 followers on Facebook), videos (including 11 animations, interviews with policymakers, webinar recordings), as well as communication tools, such as webinars, regular newsletters, and printed materials (flyers, infographics and posters). Our artist, Tijmen Schep, received a .eu Web Award for "How Normal Am I"?, an interactive documentary about face recognition that has now been viewed 700.000 times. The project closely collaborated with other EU projects, SIENNA and PANELFIT and its successor project TECHETHOS which led to the high-profile shared final event of the three projects which was co-hosted by the Panel for the Future of Science and Technology of the European Parliament (STOA). SHERPA was accepted as a Partnering Project for the Human Brain Project (HBP) which facilitated the creation of synergies between SHERPA and the HBP, including the launch of the HBP’s Opinion on AI. SHERPA made a significant contribution to the academic debate, as evidenced by the publication of 26 journal papers (as well as 5 more pending acceptance/publication) and two open access books (one to be published in 2022). The award-winning artistic representation of the project attracted broad attention and contributed to the positive reception of the project. The aim of the project of providing actionable advice to policy and decision makers was achieved through the advocacy work of the project. A total number of 21 advocacy activities/events took place, encompassing all the key institutions involved in regulating artificial intelligence at the European level. They included 10 interviews published on Youtube, and conducted mainly with Members of the European Parliament, notably from the STOA and the Artificial Intelligence in the Digital Age committee (AIDA). We also held 9 bilateral meetings with various stakeholders, from national research bodies, member states, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and the European Commission (EC). Within the EC, we discussed the project with Directors, Advisors and Heads of Units from DG Connect and DG Education and Culture (EAC). With those interviews and meetings, we reached 22 policy makers. Before the pandemic, two events were held in person with 39 attendees in total.
