Two PhD students of NetsLab, from one of the SPATIAL partners, University College Dublin, Thulitha Theekshana and Chamara Sandeepa, made significant contributions to the ETSI Artificial Intelligence (AI) Conference held from February 5th to 7th, 2024, at ETSI in Sophia Antipolis, France. This prestigious event, themed “Status, Implementation, and Way Forward of AI Standardization,” attracted over 250 participants, including representatives from industrial companies, standardization organizations, and academic and industrial institutes.

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) technologies have rapidly advanced, transforming digital products with disruptive features and applications. The ETSI AI Conference provided a vital platform for industry experts, researchers, and policymakers to convene, exchange ideas, and explore the latest developments in AI, particularly within Information and Communications Technology (ICT).

Thulitha Theekshana presented his research on “Deceiving Post-hoc Explainable AI (XAI) Methods in Network Intrusion Detection”.

Meanwhile, Chamara Sandeepa showcased his work on “Explainable AI-based Data Poisoning Attacks Detection and Defence: Approaches for Better Accountability in Robust Algorithms for Federated Learning”.

The presentations by Thulitha and Chamara exemplified the cutting-edge research being conducted at UCD and demonstrated the university’s commitment to advancing AI technology. Their contributions enriched the discussions at the conference and highlighted Ireland’s position as a hub for AI innovation on the global stage.

Attendees had the opportunity to engage with Thulitha and Chamara’s work, along with other demos and posters, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange among participants. The event served as a catalyst for further advancements in AI standardization and its practical applications across various sectors.