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Artificial Intelligence and Decision Support

At LIAAD, we work on the very strategic area of Data Science, which has an increasing interest worldwide and is critical to all areas of human activity. The huge amounts of collected data (Big Data) and the ubiquity of devices with sensors and/or processing power offer opportunities and challenges to scientists and engineers. Moreover, the demand for complex models for objective decision support is spreading in business, health, science, e-government and e-learning, which encourages us to invest in different approaches to modelling.

Our overall strategy is to take advantage of the data flood and diversification, and to invest in research lines that will help reduce the gap between collected and useful data, while offering diverse modelling solutions.

At LIAAD, our fundamental scientific principals are machine learning, statistics, optimisation and mathematics.

Latest News
Computer Science and Engineering

Less common language varieties also have a place in the era of AI, as demonstrated by two INESC TEC papers presented at a top conference

It's hard to think of current technologies or innovations that do not resort to Language Models (LM) or Natural Language Processing (NLP). Their presence in various society domains - some with significant relevance, like the legal or healthcare sectors - raise issues (and concerns) that often end up focusing on the same question: are LM-based technologies reaching all communities? Recently, two scientific papers featuring INESC TEC - both accepted at AAAI, an A* conference - sought to address some of the challenges in this new era, which directly influence the Portuguese language.

28th February 2025

Computer Science and Engineering

Tell me what you're looking for and I'll tell you what you need. INESC TEC-Amazon collaboration optimises search engine results for special dates

The seasonality of search queries in search engines could be a factor for online businesses to consider if they seek to improve the ranking of their results. A new demo-paper featuring INESC TEC explored the creation of a database to present the Occasion-aware Recommender solution.

26th February 2025

Computer Science and Engineering

INESC TEC developed natural language processing resources for the Portuguese language

The main goal of the PTicola project was to expand and build new Natural Language Processing (NLP) capabilities for the Portuguese language. The results of this project - which include, for example, an English/European Portuguese translator and a PT-BR/PT-PT language variety identifier - address the gap in NLP resources available for PT-PT compared to PT-BR.

14th February 2025

Artificial Intelligence

The largest machine learning conference in Europe will take place in Porto and is now accepting papers

It is called ECML PKDD - European Conference on Machine Learning and Principles and Practice of Knowledge Discovery in Databases -, and it is the largest European conference in machine learning. The event, promoted by INESC TEC, will take place between September 15 and 19, 2025, in Porto; the submission of papers is open until March.

09th January 2025

Artificial Intelligence

"Where do We Come From? Where are We Going?": that's how João Gama - one of the most-cited scientists in the world - said “goodbye” to his teaching activity

35 years separate the beginning and the end of the teaching career of João Gama, one of the most-cited scientists in the world. The INESC TEC researcher, who presented his Last Lecture on November 25, said “goodbye” to the classrooms of the Faculty of Economics of the University of Porto (FEP). The motto? "Where do We Come From? Where are we going?” – the culmination of a recognised academic career, particularly in the fields of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning.

28th November 2024

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Publications

LIAAD Publications

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2025

Parametric models for distributional data

Authors
Brito, P; Silva, APD;

Publication
ADVANCES IN DATA ANALYSIS AND CLASSIFICATION

Abstract
We present parametric probabilistic models for numerical distributional variables. The proposed models are based on the representation of each distribution by a location measure and inter-quantile ranges, for given quantiles, thereby characterizing the underlying empirical distributions in a flexible way. Multivariate Normal distributions are assumed for the whole set of indicators, considering alternative structures of the variance-covariance matrix. For all cases, maximum likelihood estimators of the corresponding parameters are derived. This modelling allows for hypothesis testing and multivariate parametric analysis. The proposed framework is applied to Analysis of Variance and parametric Discriminant Analysis of distributional data. A simulation study examines the performance of the proposed models in classification problems under different data conditions. Applications to Internet traffic data and Portuguese official data illustrate the relevance of the proposed approach.

2025

Estimating Completeness of Consensus Models: Geometrical and Distributional Approaches

Authors
Strecht, P; Mendes-Moreira, J; Soares, C;

Publication
Lecture Notes in Computer Science - Machine Learning, Optimization, and Data Science

Abstract

2025

Early Failure Detection for Air Production Unit in Metro Trains

Authors
Zafra, A; Veloso, B; Gama, J;

Publication
HYBRID ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENT SYSTEM, PT I, HAIS 2024

Abstract
Early identification of failures is a critical task in predictive maintenance, preventing potential problems before they manifest and resulting in substantial time and cost savings for industries. We propose an approach that predicts failures in the near future. First, a deep learning model combining long short-term memory and convolutional neural network architectures predicts signals for a future time horizon using real-time data. In the second step, an autoencoder based on convolutional neural networks detects anomalies in these predicted signals. Finally, a verification step ensures that a fault is considered reliable only if it is corroborated by anomalies in multiple signals simultaneously. We validate our approach using publicly available Air Production Unit (APU) data from Porto metro trains. Two significant conclusions emerge from our study. Firstly, experimental results confirm the effectiveness of our approach, demonstrating a high fault detection rate and a reduced number of false positives. Secondly, the adaptability of this proposal allows for the customization of configuration of different time horizons and relationship between the signals to meet specific detection requirements.

2025

Decision-making systems improvement based on explainable artificial intelligence approaches for predictive maintenance

Authors
Rajaoarisoa, LH; Randrianandraina, R; Nalepa, GJ; Gama, J;

Publication
Eng. Appl. Artif. Intell.

Abstract
To maintain the performance of the latest generation of onshore and offshore wind turbine systems, a new methodology must be proposed to enhance the maintenance policy. In this context, this paper introduces an approach to designing a decision support tool that combines predictive capabilities with anomaly explanations for effective IoT predictive maintenance tasks. Essentially, the paper proposes an approach that integrates a predictive maintenance model with an explicative decision-making system. The key challenge is to detect anomalies and provide plausible explanations, enabling human operators to determine the necessary actions swiftly. To achieve this, the proposed approach identifies a minimal set of relevant features required to generate rules that explain the root causes of issues in the physical system. It estimates that certain features, such as the active power generator, blade pitch angle, and the average water temperature of the voltage circuit protection in the generator's sub-components, are particularly critical to monitor. Additionally, the approach simplifies the computation of an efficient predictive maintenance model. Compared to other deep learning models, the identified model provides up to 80% accuracy in anomaly detection and up to 96% for predicting the remaining useful life of the system under study. These performance metrics and indicators values are essential for enhancing the decision-making process. Moreover, the proposed decision support tool elucidates the onset of degradation and its dynamic evolution based on expert knowledge and data gathered through Internet of Things (IoT) technology and inspection reports. Thus, the developed approach should aid maintenance managers in making accurate decisions regarding inspection, replacement, and repair tasks. The methodology is demonstrated using a wind farm dataset provided by Energias De Portugal. © 2024

2025

Interventions based on biofeedback systems to improve workers’ psychological well-being, mental health and safety: a systematic literature review (Preprint)

Authors
Ferreira, S; Rodrigues, MA; Mateus, C; Rodrigues, PP; Rocha, NB;

Publication

Abstract
BACKGROUND

In modern, high-speed work settings, the significance of mental health disorders is increasingly acknowledged as a pressing health issue, with potential adverse consequences for organizations, including reduced productivity and increased absenteeism. Over the past few years, various mental health management solutions, such as biofeedback applications, have surfaced as promising avenues to improve employees' mental well-being.

OBJECTIVE

To gain deeper insights into the suitability and effectiveness of employing biofeedback-based mental health interventions in real-world workplace settings, given that most research has predominantly been conducted within controlled laboratory conditions.

METHODS

A systematic review was conducted to identify studies that used biofeedback interventions in workplace settings. The review focused on traditional biofeedback, mindfulness, app-directed interventions, immersive scenarios, and in-depth physiological data presentation.

RESULTS

The review identified nine studies employing biofeedback interventions in the workplace. Breathing techniques showed great promise in decreasing stress and physiological parameters, especially when coupled with visual and/or auditory cues.

CONCLUSIONS

Future research should focus on developing and implementing interventions to improve well-being and mental health in the workplace, with the goal of creating safer and healthier work environments and contributing to the sustainability of organizations.

Facts & Figures

19Papers in indexed journals

2020

72Researchers

2016

14Proceedings in indexed conferences

2020