From August 26th to September 6th, Lisbon hosted the TRAIL Summer Workshop 2024 edition, where bright minds from different Belgian universities and research centers gathered to explore the latest advancements in AI.

Among the attendees were UMONS researchers Mohamed Benkedadra, Sédrick Stassin, and Tojo Valisoa Johanesa, who worked on innovative projects showcasing the diverse potential of AI in addressing real-world challenges. The event kicked off with insightful talks by leaders from the TRAIL community and featured 11 groundbreaking research projects that could shape the future of AI in Europe. 🌍🚀

Mohamed Benkedadra contributed to the workshop with his project on measuring diffusion models' performance through facial emotion recognition. His work delves into the use of Stable Diffusion and ControlNet for synthetic data augmentation, focusing on the specific task of facial emotion recognition (FER). Mohamed’s team explored how synthetic datasets generated through advanced AI models could address data scarcity and improve the effectiveness of emotion recognition systems, a crucial step in enhancing AI’s role in sensitive applications like psychology and human-computer interaction. 🎭🧠

Sédrick Stassin, along with his TRAIL colleagues, explored the intersection of AI and user experience by investigating how large language models (LLMs) and Inductive Logic Programming (ILP) can be used to generate explanations for movie recommendations. This project emphasizes the importance of explainable AI, demonstrating how transparent models can build trust and improve user engagement in recommendation systems. By enhancing the clarity of AI-driven decisions, their work aims to make interactions between AI and users more intuitive and reliable. 🎬📚

Tojo Valisoa Johanesa focused on predicting energy consumption on a power grid using AI-driven models, tackling one of the most pressing challenges in sustainable energy management. His research aims to optimize grid performance and forecast energy needs with greater accuracy, contributing to more efficient and environmentally friendly energy systems. This work aligns perfectly with the global push towards smarter, greener technologies, showcasing AI’s pivotal role in addressing climate challenges. ⚡🌱

TRAIL Summer Workshop 2024 not only highlighted the innovative research of Mohamed, Sédrick, and Tojo but also fostered valuable collaborations with international partners, researchers, and industry leaders. The event provided an inspiring platform for these researchers to share their work, exchange ideas, and push the boundaries of what AI can achieve in various sectors. Their contributions reflect the dynamic and forward-thinking spirit of UMONS and the broader TRAIL community. 🏆🤝