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White-Box Self-Programming Mechanisms

Project description

Studying self-programmable AI devices

Manufacturing devices, smart objects, intelligent robots and other applications depend on mechanisms offering forms of programmability and relying on advanced sensing and actuation components. However, the effect of these mechanisms is limited because their logic relies on hard-wired rules encoded in hand-crafted programmes. The EU-funded WhiteMech project will develop the tools for a new generation of white-box self-programming mechanisms capable of automatically tailoring their behaviour to reach desired goals, support themselves with safe boundaries in a changing environment, and follow evolving regulations and conventions over time. WhiteMech bases its scientific results on combining knowledge and insight from autonomous sequential decision making in Artificial Intelligence, programme verification and synthesis in formal methods, and data-aware processes in databases.

Objective

We are witnessing an increasing availability of mechanisms that operate in nondeterministic (uncertain) environments and offer some form of programmability. These include manufacturing devices, smart objects and spaces, intelligent robots, dynamic business process management systems, and many others. All these mechanisms are currently being revolutionized by advancements in sensing (vision, language understanding) and actuation components (autonomous mobile manipulators, automated storage and retrieval systems). However, such mechanisms are held back by the fact that their logic is still based on hard-wired rules encoded in hand-crafted programs. WhiteMech aims at developing the science and the tools for a new generation of mechanisms to emerge: mechanisms that are able to program themselves, automatically tailor their behavior so as to achieve desired goals, maintain themselves within safe boundaries in a changing environment, and follow regulations and conventions that evolve over time. Crucially, empowering mechanisms with self-programming carries significant risks and therefore we must be able to balance power with safety. For this reason WhiteMech intends to realize mechanisms that are white-box, that is, whose behavior is at any moment fully analyzable and comprehensible in human terms, and guarded by human oversight. Remarkable recent discoveries by the applicant in Reasoning about Action and Generalized Planning in Artificial Intelligence, and their connections to Verification and Synthesis in Formal Methods, and Data-Aware Processes in Databases, chart an unanticipated novel path to produce a breakthrough in realizing powerful self-programming mechanisms, while keeping them human- comprehensible and safe by design. WhiteMech will ground its scientific results upon three driving applications: smart manufacturing (Industry 4.0) smart spaces (IoT) and business process management systems (BPM).

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

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Keywords

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.

Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

ERC-ADG - Advanced Grant

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Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) ERC-2018-ADG

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Host institution

THE CHANCELLOR, MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 618 996,10
Address
WELLINGTON SQUARE UNIVERSITY OFFICES
OX1 2JD Oxford
United Kingdom

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Region
South East (England) Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Oxfordshire
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 618 996,10

Beneficiaries (2)

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