News

CETINIA hosts Matthias Klusch for a seminar about advances in hybrid AI applied to autonomous driving

Dr. Matthias Klusch, principal researcher at DFKI (Germany), delivered a lecture on 20 November 2025 in the Salón de Grados 101 at the Móstoles Campus (Departamental II). He outlined the foundations and benefits of hybrid AI—especially neuro-symbolic approaches—and presented recent results from his team on pedestrian behaviour prediction and safe navigation in complex urban scenarios.

Fernando Galindo Ayuda analyses judicial fairness, efficiency, and the role of artificial intelligence at CETINIA

Professor Fernando Galindo Ayuda, from the University of Zaragoza, gave a lecture on 13 November 2025 in the Salón de Grados 151 at the Móstoles Campus (Departamental I). In his talk, he addressed the importance of ensuring fair judicial rulings through strict adherence to due process, and examined the impact of emerging technologies—including AI—on the efficiency and legitimacy of the judicial system, highlighting risks, limitations, and constitutional requirements.

Challenges of modelling and reasoning about policies in digital systems presented by Nicoletta Fornara at CETINIA

Dr. Nicoletta Fornara, from the Università della Svizzera italiana, delivered a seminar on 6 November 2025 in the Salón de Grados 101 at the Móstoles Campus (Departamental II). Her talk examined the challenges associated with managing the life cycle of policies, rules, and agreements in digital societies, and presented various approaches to conflict detection, validation, and assessment of policies in socio-technical contexts and autonomous agent systems.

Michele Ciavotta discusses the challenges and opportunities of decentralisation in serverless architectures 

Dr. Michele Ciavotta, from the Università degli Studi di Milano Bicocca, gave a talk on 31 October 2025 in the Salón de Grados 151 at the Móstoles Campus (Departamental I). His lecture analysed the evolution of the Function-as-a-Service paradigm in distributed environments and the challenges encountered when implementing decentralised solutions, including those arising from integrating AI models for adaptive load management.

Adam Wyner introduces a value-based reasoning framework for decision-making and argumentation at CETINIA

Dr. Adam Wyner, professor at Swansea University (United Kingdom), delivered a lecture on 28 May 2025 in the Salón de Grados 101 at the Móstoles Campus (Departamental II). His presentation introduced a reasoning framework in which agents associate values with propositions and generate argumentative and action structures based on those values, illustrating applications in negotiation, motivated reasoning, and potential future developments of the approach.

Resource allocation and scheduling challenges in the computing continuum: seminar by Federica Filippini

Dr. Federica Filippini, researcher at the University of Milano-Bicocca, delivered a seminar on 22 May 2025 in Seminar Room 070 at the Móstoles Campus (Departamental II). Her talk addressed the increasing complexity of the Edge-Cloud ecosystem driven by AI and deep-learning applications, and presented heuristic and reinforcement-learning-based techniques for optimising resource selection and scheduling in AI and Function-as-a-Service workflows.

Julian Padget examines the struggle between bias and fairness in algorithmic models at CETINIA

Dr. Julian Padget, from the University of Bath (United Kingdom), delivered a lecture on 8 May 2025 in the Salón de Grados 151 at the Móstoles Campus (Departamental I). His talk analysed the concept of bias in AI models, distinguishing between desired and undesired biases, and proposed strategies to manage and debug issues related to differential decisions, as well as their integration into the system life cycle.

3rd Edition of CETINIA’s Summer School on Ethics and Artificial Intelligence

On June 23–24, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos hosted the third edition of the summer school “Human-centred Artificial Intelligence: How to Bypass the Turing Trap?”—an interdisciplinary event that brought together experts to discuss the technical, ethical and legal challenges involved in developing artificial intelligence systems.

The course explored the risks of designing AI that imitates or replaces humans instead of collaborating with them. The programme featured talks on AI trustworthiness, value alignment through reinforcement learning, technological mythologies, the reliability of language models, computational cognition, moral framing in algorithmic media, and the role of human values in automated decision-making. Participants also took part in a final roundtable discussion. Photos. Program. Press release. 

3rd Edition of CETINIA’s Summer School on Ethics and Artificial Intelligence

On June 23–24, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos hosted the third edition of the summer school “Human-centred Artificial Intelligence: How to Bypass the Turing Trap?”—an interdisciplinary event that brought together experts to discuss the technical, ethical and legal challenges involved in developing artificial intelligence systems.

The course explored the risks of designing AI that imitates or replaces humans instead of collaborating with them. The programme featured talks on AI trustworthiness, value alignment through reinforcement learning, technological mythologies, the reliability of language models, computational cognition, moral framing in algorithmic media, and the role of human values in automated decision-making. Participants also took part in a final roundtable discussion. Photos. Program. Press release. 

Claudio Roberto Marquetto Mauricio presents AI-based real-time audio description systems for people with visual disabilities at CETINIA

Dr. Claudio Roberto Marquetto Mauricio, from UNIOESTE (Brazil), delivered a lecture on 24 February 2025 in the Salón de Grados 101 at the Móstoles Campus (Departamental II). During the session, he presented two recent developments in assistive technologies: a real-time audio description system based on HMD devices, and a portable, low-cost version implemented with a Raspberry Pi Zero 2W. He discussed their technical challenges, user evaluations, and implications for accessibility.

URJC students take part in the 4th HackReason Hackathon on Logic-Based AI

The fourth edition of the HackReason Hackathon took place on January 16–17, 2025, organized by the AI Society and Professor Gopal Gupta’s ALPS Lab to mark World Logic Day. The event, dedicated to advancing logic-based artificial intelligence and automated reasoning, challenged participants to develop AI applications within just 24 hours using the s(CASP) logic-programming system, created by Joaquín Arias (a member of CETINIA) in collaboration with the University of Texas, Dallas.

This year, CETINIA sponsored a team from Universidad Rey Juan Carlos. Students Laura Calleja, Walter Hernández and Teo Piñuela took part with Cardiolog by URJC, an innovative proposal that combines machine learning with automated reasoning to support the diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases.

Axel Polleres highlights Knowledge Graphs as a key component in Bilateral AI at a CETINIA seminar

On December 10, 2024, Dr. Axel Polleres from the Vienna University of Economics delivered a lecture at the Rey Juan Carlos University (URJC) in Móstoles. His seminar traced the historical evolution of the Semantic Web and knowledge graphs, emphasizing the pivotal role of graphical knowledge representation. Photos.

Marc Serramia Amorós discusses Value Alignment and its role in policy-making at CETINIA

On November 14, 2024, Dr. Marc Serramia Amorós from the University of London presented a talk at URJC in Móstoles. He delved into the concept of value alignment in artificial intelligence, its mathematical formalization, and its application to policy-making, such as participatory budgeting. Photos.

CETINIA hosts workshop on Applications of Intelligent Information Technologies

On October 17–18, 2024, CETINIA organized a workshop on Intelligent Information Technologies at URJC. Renowned international experts showcased innovative AI applications across various fields. Highlights included Dr. Ana Bazzan’s advancements in networks for data science and machine learning, Dr. Giuseppe Vizzari’s insights into AI in simulation projects, Professor Franziska Klügl’s examination of credibility challenges in agent-based models, and Professor Viviana Mascardi’s exploration of synergies between extended reality and intelligent agents. Photos.

Eugénio Oliveira explores the societal impact of AI and Generative AI at a CETINIA seminar

On October 3, 2024, Dr. Eugénio Oliveira from the University of Porto gave a lecture at URJC’s Móstoles campus. His talk addressed the fundamentals, applications, challenges, and limitations of generative AI, highlighting its potential benefits, associated risks, and the pressing need for clearer legislation to guide its development and use. Photos.

Ivana Dusparic presents advances in Explainable Reinforcement Learning for Large-Scale Applications at CETINIA

On September 27, 2024, Dr. Ivana Dusparic from Trinity College Dublin delivered a lecture at URJC’s Móstoles campus. She focused on techniques for applying reinforcement learning to large-scale adaptive systems, emphasizing the critical role of explainability in fostering trust in these systems. Photos.

Marija Slavkovik reflects on the Ethics in AI at a CETINIA seminar

On May 16, 2024, Dr. Marija Slavkovik from the University of Bergen delivered a lecture at URJC’s Móstoles campus. Her presentation tackled key issues such as fairness, transparency, and accountability in algorithms, stressing the importance of integrating ethics throughout the AI lifecycle and its societal impact. Photos.

Monica Drăgoicea highlights Smart Services, Explainable AI, and Smart Visualizations at URJC in a CETINIA seminar

On May 8, 2024, Dr. Monica Drăgoicea from the Polytechnic University of Bucharest gave a lecture at URJC’s Vicálvaro campus. Her presentation showcased how AI and smart visualizations can enhance technology adoption in service ecosystems, bridging decision-making processes with citizen needs. Photos.

Rosaldo Rossetti sparks discussion on Artificial Transportation Systems as foundations for ITS, Smart Mobility and Sustainable Communities with CETINIA

Dr. Rosaldo Rossetti from the University of Porto presented a seminar analyzing urban mobility through three key dimensions: Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), Smart Mobility, and Sustainable Communities. His talk explored the analytical requirements for decision-making and policy evaluation, discussing Artificial Transportation Systems (ATS) from methodological and architectural perspectives, and identifying synergies with intelligent systems supported by MAS, AI, and ML.

Radu-Casian Mihailescu explores Deep Learning and its Applications to Data Science at CETINIA

On April 29, 2024, Dr. Radu-Casian Mihailescu from Heriot-Watt University and Malmö University gave a lecture at URJC. He examined the transformative impact of deep learning (DL) models on classification and prediction tasks in fields such as computer vision, natural language processing, and the Internet of Things. He also addressed key limitations in the DL literature and proposed new research directions to enhance DL applications across various domains. Photos.

ACM SAC'24 conference recognises CETINIA members' activities in the field of Applied Computing 

During the 39th ACM/SIGAPP Symposium On Applied Computing (ACM SAC'24), CETINIA members habe been recognised for their service in the field of Applied Computing. More than 350 delegates attended this international conference held from April 8th to 12th, 2024, at the "Lienzo Norte" conference centre in Ávila (Spain). Photos.

CETINIA supports a workshop organized by members of URJC's Artificial Intelligence students association 

On the occation of URJC's AI Day at the Móstoles campus, CETINIA supported the workshop "AI meme generator", organized by the Artificial Intelligence Association of URJC students. The workshop brought together AI enthusiasts and students aiming to expand their horizons by automatically creating memes. The event culminated with a competition in which participants had to create a tool that maximized the potential of the proposed models. CETINIA provided awards to the 5 winners. More information (in Spanish).

CETINIA initiates a preferred cooperation with the CitAI Research Centre at City, University of London

CETINIA announces its cooperation with the Artificial Intelligence Research Centre, CitAI, based at City, Univeristy of London. CitAI specialises in the intersection between the development of novel AI techniques, Explainable AI (XAI) and Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), with a keen interest in the legal, ethical and social impact of AI. The aim is to promote the international academic collaboration in the area of Artificial Intelligence between the two institutions, through the exchange of materials in research, publications, and academic information; the exchange of faculty and research scholars; the exchange of students; common work and mutual support in research projects; as well as joint publications in scientific journals and presentations on conferences, respectively. 

CETINIA contributes to the workshop on Ethical and Trustworthy AI organised by the Ramón Areces Foundation

CETINIA members contributed to the workshop "Ethical and Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence", held on January 30th, 2024, at the Ramón Areces Foundation. The event preceeded a keynote presentation by Ramón López de Mántaras, research professor (emeritus) at IIIA-CSIC, bringing together experts from various national AI research centres. CETINIA researcher Joaquín Ariras introduced the centre, and gave a conference on "value-ware systems", linking this new AI paradigm to work on logic programming and explainability. Additional resources: Ws programme.

CETINIA members organise URJC's Summer School on Ethics and Artificial Intelligence

CETINIA sponsored the summer course "Human-centred Artificial Intelligence: How to avoid the Turing Trap?". The school discussed not only the technical but also the ethical and legal challenges that we face in the design and use of artificial intelligences (including Chat-GPT). To this end, on June 26 and 27, experts in computer science and Artificial Intelligence, and in disciplines as diverse as decision sciences, philosophy and ethics, law, and art, met at the URJC headquarters in the Hospital San Carlos de Aranjuez. Ibán García del Blanco, MEP and member of the special committee on AI that is processing the bill to regulate the development of Artificial Intelligence in the EU had a (virtual) intervention during the closing ceremony. Additional resources: foto, chatGPT interview (in Spanish), press release (in Spanish).

CETINIA members receive the Award for the Best URJC Patent in the Campus of International Excellence "Smart Energy" - 2022

The patent " Method for coordinating fleets for event assistance in dynamic environments" (Patent number: ES2445465) receives the award for the best URJC patent at the Campus of International Excellence "Smart Energy" - 2022. The award, endowed with 2000 euros, is the result of the work carried out by the High-Performance Research Group in Artificial Intelligence, integrated into CETINIA. 

CETINIA signs a collaboration agreement with the Artificial Intelligence Research Institute of CSIC

University Rey Juan Carlos, through CETINIA, and the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), through its Institut d'Investigació en Intel·ligència Artificial (IIIA), have agreed to strengthen their existing collaboration in R&D&i in Artificial Intelligence. The agreement fosters and promotes the joint execution of cooperation and development projects and studies; the organization of training and exchange programs for researchers and technical personnel; the development of outreach and innovation programs; collaboration for the organization of conferences, seminars, and other events; as well as reciprocal advice, mutual support and exchange of information in the field of Artificial Intelligence.

CETINIA presents at the Smart Energy Congress & EXPO

Members of CETINIA present the Agrobots project at the congress "Digital innovation at the service of energy competitiveness" (SEC 2022), which gives specialized companies and institutions the opportunity to offer innovative solutions to improve energy efficiency and sustainability. In this context, CETINIA is strengthening its collaboration with URJC’s Campus of Excellence in Smart Energy (CEI).

Collaboration agreements signed with various Spanish regional AI Research Institutes

University Rey Juan Carlos, through CETINIA, will strengthen its R&D&i activities in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science by means of collaboration agreements with research institutes from various Spanish autonomous regions. In particular, CETINIA will entail preferred collaboration with the Artificial Intelligence Research Institute (AIR) of Castilla-León, the Valencian Research Institute for Artificial Intelligence (VRAIN), and the Andalusian Research Institute for Data Science and Computational Intelligence (DaSCI).

CETINIA joins the European CLAIRE network

CETINIA has become member of the Confederation of Laboratories for Artificial Intelligence Research in Europe (CLAIRE). The objective of CLAIRE is to strengthen European excellence in research and innovation in Artificial Intelligence. It is a bottom-up initiative of the European Artificial Intelligence research community that aims for "brand recognition" similar to CERN.

Members of CETINIA receive the award for the best article at the Conference of the Spanish Association for Artificial Intelligence (CAEPIA 20/21)

The work  Modelling Administrative Discretion Using Goal-Directed Answer Set Programming has received the best paper award at the XIX Conference of the Spanish Association for Artificial Intelligence (CAEPIA 20/21). The award, endowed with 300 Euros, arises from the collaboration of researchers from the School of Computing (ETSII) and the Faculty of Law and Social Sciences (FCJS), within the Artificial Intelligence Research Group (GIA) attached to CETINIA.

Press releases in this regard have been published on the pages of the URJC and FCJS.

CETINIA adapts its bylaws to the new regulation of Research Centres at URJC

CETINIA has adapted its bylaws to the Regulation of Research Centres of University Rey Juan Carlos (approved by agreement of the Governing Council of University Rey Juan Carlos dated June 7, 2019, and published in the Official Gazette of the Region of Madrid, of July 22, 2019). The new bylaws of CETINIA are publicly available on the Centre's website.