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½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ engineers and researchers at the forefront of Ethical AI in Europe

The University of Malta is continuing to strengthen its contribution to the European debate on the ethical and responsible use of Artificial Intelligence through its participation in the Erasmus+ INDEMIA4AI project.

A ½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ delegation recently travelled to Bucharest, Romania, between 30 August and 1 September 2026 to participate in the INDEMIA4AI International Training Bootcamp and collaborative workshop, bringing together researchers, educators and project partners from across Europe to further develop approaches for Ethical and Responsible AI in higher education, research and innovation.

The Maltese delegation was led by Dr Ing. Edward Abela, lead researcher on the INDEMIA4AI project from the Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering (DIME), Faculty of Engineering, together with Dr Tanel Aruvali and Ms Amberlynn Bonello, who participated in the workshop and training activities.

Hosted by the National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest (UNSTPB-CAMIS), the international activity brought together members of the INDEMIA4AI consortium to exchange knowledge, review training material and explore practical approaches for strengthening AI ethics and literacy within European universities.

The project specifically aims to build the capacity of higher-education educators and staff to address the ethical implications of AI in teaching, research and innovation.

Building European capacity for Ethical and Responsible AI

A central component of the Bucharest programme was the INDEMIA4AI Capacity Building Programme, which is being developed to support educators and trainers in understanding and applying Ethical AI principles within their professional practice.

The programme addresses areas including AI literacy, ethics and research integrity, innovative pedagogical approaches, responsible innovation, entrepreneurial problem-solving, reflection and assessment, and the management of educational and research data.

Through interactive sessions, case studies and collaborative activities, participants were able to engage directly with the project materials and contribute feedback towards their continued refinement.

The International Training Bootcamp is designed as a two-day activity in which the Capacity Building Programme is delivered and evaluated by its intended users, allowing the consortium to incorporate practical feedback before the Framework and training resources are finalised.

The visit also supported the next stage of the project: the development of the INDEMIA4AI Curriculum and Online Course. Project partners are using collaborative learning and co-design activities to ensure that the curriculum reflects different disciplinary, institutional and cultural contexts across Europe.

University of Malta taking a key role

The University of Malta holds a significant role within the European consortium as leader of Work Package 2, which focuses on developing the INDEMIA4AI AI Ethics and Literacy Framework and Capacity Building Programme for higher-education educators.

Within this work package, ½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ is responsible for leading research activities, supporting the analysis of educators' needs, and coordinating the design and development of the Capacity Building Programme in collaboration with the other European partners.

The University's participation in Bucharest further demonstrates the growing contribution of Maltese engineers and researchers to European initiatives addressing one of the most important challenges associated with the rapid adoption of AI: ensuring that technological innovation is accompanied by ethical awareness, critical thinking, human responsibility and appropriate institutional governance.

Through INDEMIA4AI, the University of Malta is contributing to the development of practical European approaches that can help educators, researchers and institutions use Artificial Intelligence responsibly while preparing students for an increasingly AI-driven research and professional environment.

This work forms part of the Erasmus+ INDEMIA4AI project (Project Reference: 2025-1-IS01-KA220-HED-000354454). Prof. Ing. Emmanuel Francalanza, also from the Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, is the Principal Investigator, while Dr Ing. Edward Abela serves as lead researcher on the project.

Through INDEMIA4AI they are contributing to ½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ's research capacity-building and European collaboration activities in Ethical and Responsible AI.