News from our Group

AI Chatbot

Chat4XAI Explains Deep Reinforcement Learning Decisions

The use of artificial intelligence is often hampered by a lack of transparency of the models. In response to this, Prof. Dr Andreas Metzger, Jone Bartel and Jan Laufer have developed an AI chatbot that aims to contribute to explainability.
SSE team on the marketplace in Maastricht

PhD Workshop in Maastricht

The second PhD workshop of the year brought together the research group from October 18 to 20, 2023, in Maastricht, where participants spent intensive and productive days together.

Award for Paul-Andrei Dragan

The young researcher from Prof. Pohl's research group was awarded the Best Student Paper Award at ACSOS for his paper "Towards the decentralised coordination of multiple self-adaptive systems".

No blind trust in AI-based decisions

Can companies trust artificial intelligence? Researchers from paluno, the Ruhr Institute for Software Technology at the University of Duisburg-Essen, have developed AI systems that support the operational management of business processes. The special feature: In addition to accurate predictions and suggestions for process adaptations, the systems provide explanations for their results.
SSE team in Amsterdam

PhD Workshop in Amsterdam

From March 27-29, 2023, the SSE team traveled to Amsterdam to exchange information on the progress of the individual PhD projects.

Cyber Resilience in Critical Infrastructures

Cyber-attacks on critical infrastructures are increasing across Europe. The DYNABIC* project delivers software solutions to enable operators to proactively respond to such attacks. The EU is funding the project with five million euros for the next three years, with 373,000 euros being awarded to paluno, the software technology institute at the University of Duisburg-Essen.

Journal of Data and Information Quality: Call for Papers

Prof. Metzger is guest editor of the special issue "Software Engineering and AI for Data Quality" of the Journal of Data and Information Quality. He is looking forward to receiving interesting proposals for contributions.The deadline for submissions is 30.04.2023.

Andreas Metzger Gives Keynote at SEA4DQ Workshop

Self-learning software is able to improve its behavior at runtime by using modern AI algorithms. In his talk, Prof. Metzger will illustrate the relevance of the quality of the data based on which the software learns.

Explanations for AI-based System Adaptations

Online reinforcement learning is a promising approach to realize self-adaptive systems. But the complex models on which adaptations are based are practically a black box. The SSE team investigated which solutions from Explainable AI (XAI) research may be suitable to make adaptations comprehensible.

Data Protection: Prioritizing to Minimize the Risk

At this year's ARES Conference, Jan Laufer presented a new model that can be used to assess data protection risks at runtime of an application. This can be used, for example, in self-adaptive systems to prioritize the patching of the most critical vulnerabilities.

Light into the Black Box

Explainable AI aims to make the results of artificial intelligence algorithms understandable. A research team led by Prof. Dr. Klaus Pohl from paluno – The Ruhr Institute for Software Technology at the University of Duisburg-Essen has developed an explainable AI technique for predictive monitoring of business processes.

Data Protection between Edge and Cloud

Edge Computing is a key technology for the Internet of Thing (IoT). However, the combination with cloud computing poses new challenges for data protection. Scientists from the software technology institute paluno at the University of Duisburg-Essen (IDE) have joined forces with NOKIA to develop an algorithm that supports the data-protection-compliant and cost-saving allocation of data-processing application components between the edge and the cloud.

Solidarity with Ukraine

We are deeply shocked by Russia's attack on Ukraine. Our thoughts are with all those who are affected by this war. Peace, democracy and the freedom of research and teaching are the basis of our academic activities.

Best Theoretical Paper Award at EMCIS

Tsunghao Huang, Andreas Metzger, and Klaus Pohl have developed an Explainable AI technique to generate counterfactual explanations for proactive business process adaption.

EU-Project DataPorts: Highly Successful Assessment of the First Project Phase by the European Commission

13 companies and research institutions are developing a big data platform for European seaports in the DataPorts project. The software engineering institute paluno at the University of Duisburg-Essen is contributing an AI component to help logisticians make proactive decisions.

New Open Access Book on the Foundations for Big Data Innovation

How can Europe leverage the potential of Big Data? How can data be used to create value for society and the economy? Which technologies are promising? What political and economic measures are needed? Answers to these and other question are provided by “The Elements of Big Data Value”.

DevOps Tools for the Future Internet of Things

They enable the next level of innovation on the Internet of Things (IoT): Smart IoT systems process large amounts of data and can act largely autonomously thanks to comprehensive sensors and actuators. Together with European research partners, the software engineering institute paluno has developed tools for the continuous development and operation of such systems.

From Documents to Models

The benefits of model-based systems engineering (MBSE) are recognized, but the transition to new way of thinking and working is difficult for many organizations. In collaboration with automotive supplier Schaeffler the software technology institute paluno at the University of Duisburg-Essen has investigated how it can succeed.

Implementation Strategy for Seamless Model-based Systems Engineering

The advantages of model-based systems engineering (MBSE) are achknowledged, but many organizations find it difficult to switch to the new way of thinking and working. The paluno working group of Prof. Pohl and the automotive supplier Schaeffler demonstrate in this technical paper how they can succeed using a sound methodology, an implementation concept, and appropriate employee training.

Workshop at Data Week 2021

From 25th to the 27th of May, the European Big Data Value and Industrial AI research and innovation community came together online for the Data Week 2021. Dr. Andreas Metzger moderated a workshop on the opportunities and challenges of these technologies for the maritime sector.

New European Key Digital Technologies (KDT) Partnership

Preparations are underway to define the work programme of the Horizon Europe “Key Digital Technologies” (KDT) Partnership. Dr. Andreas Metzger from the paluno working group Software Systems Engineering introduced the recommendations of the European initiative NESSI into the discussions on software and software engineering.

Book "Model-Based Engineering of Collaborative Embedded Systems" Published: Solutions for the Development of CPS Networks

The newly published book describes the key results of the CrESt project, in which 22 partners from industry and science developed solutions for the development of dynamic system networks of embedded, cyber-physical systems (Systems of CPS).

Best Paper Award at ICSOC

Researchers from the SSE group (Prof. Pohl), together with research partners from the University of Lille and the Politecnico di Milano, have presented an approach to make knowledge about software evolution accessible to machine learning.

Developing for CPS Networks: Modeling Dynamic Constraints

Robots are to be strong together in the factory of the future. They should coordinate and distribute their tasks in such a way as to achieve their objectives in the best possible way. In order to improve the development of collaborative robots, the paluno working group Software Systems Engineering (AG Pohl) has developed and evaluated a new approach to the modeling of dynamic constraints together with industry partners.

Artificial Intelligence and Data Protection

At the European Big Data Value Forum (EBDVF), Dr. Zoltán Ádám Mann from the Software Systems Engineering working group led a session in which researchers exchanged views on technological approaches to data protection in AI applications. A short interview with Zoltán gives insights into the topics that were discussed.

More Certainty for Predictions

Wait or act now? Terminal operators that manage processes in the dynamic environment of port terminals are constantly confronted with this decision. paluno –The Ruhr institute for Software Technology at the University of Duisburg-Essen and the Port of Duisburg have together investigated how machine learning may help terminal operators with this decision.

"Only as part of a secure, reliable software system can machine learning unleash its full potential"

In an interview, Professor Pohl talks about the new possibilities of AI-based software-intensive systems and what challenges these systems present to software engineering.

EU: New Position Paper about the Role of Software Technology in Key Digital Technologies

The European Initiative NESSI released a position paper titled “Software and Key Digital Technologies". It identifies important topics that should be focused on in the next EU research and innovation framework program "Horizon Europe". The Chair for Software Systems Engineering of Prof. Dr. Klaus Pohl has contributed significantly to the paper.

TransformingTransport Success Story on the EC website!

Big data offers big gains for transport operators: A huge EU-funded project has demonstrated how big data and artificial intelligence could transform Europe's transport sector, cutting costs and fuel consumption on road, rail, air and sea while boosting operational efficiency and improving customer experience.

AI Learns How to Handle Software Evolution

Machine learning facilitates the automated development of self-adaptive systems. A promising approach for the maintenance and further development of such systems has now been developed by paluno researchers. It is based on software product line engineering.

Artificial Intelligence Takes over the Job of Software Engineers

Today, there are countless possibilities of application for self-adaptive software, but the development of these systems presents software engineers with new challenges. Scientists from the Software Technology Institute paluno at the University of Duisburg-Essen (UDE) have now achieved promising results with novel artificial intelligence (AI) techniques that automate the development process of self-adaptive systems.

Security for Personal Data in the Cloud

The demand for cloud services has never been greater. This brings the issue of data protection to the fore. In the RestAssured project, scientists from the Ruhr Institute for Software Technology paluno at the University of Duisburg-Essen have researched how cloud providers can better protect the personal data of their customers.

Generation of Hazard Relation Diagrams: Everything in View

Requirements engineering for safety-critical systems must define adequate requirements to minimize risks. The use of hazard context diagrams should support it.

Proactive Adaption of Business Processes via Online Reinforcement Learning

Adapt or wait and see? Andreas Metzger, Tristan Kley and Alexander Palm present an AI based approach to determine when preditions are accurate enough to trigger adaptions.

Networking of European Data Platform Projects

At the beginning of the year, nine EU-funded data platform projects were launched under the umbrella of the Big Data Value PPP. The first online meetings have now taken place to establish synergies between the projects.

Education and Training for Big Data Specialists

Together with the partners in the BDVe project, the paluno woking group Software Systems Engineering has set up the Big Data Value Education Hub. The platform is now part of the European Commission Pledge Viewer.

Big Data Value PPP Web Seminars

The BDVe project and the Big Data Value Association are organising a series of webinars to exchange views on approaches to developing and establishing Big Data technologies in Europe.

Restrictions on Teaching and Examination Acitivites

Due to the current situation there are restrictions on teaching and examination activities. The Faculty of Economic Sciences informs students and staff of the Faculty of Economic Sciences by e-mail about the further and current planning status. Please also refer to the information provided by the examination boards on https://www.wiwi.uni-due.de/covid-19/

Cancelled: Colloquium for Prof. Dr. Klaus Pohl

Unfortunately, we have to cancel the festive colloquium in honour of Prof. Dr. Klaus Pohl on March 19, 2020 because of the uncertain situation due to the spreading Corona virus. We did not take the decision lightly but we hope that you can appreciate the situation and apologize for any inconvenience.

Seamless Data Protection in the Computing Continuum

Computing power is in demand when more and more devices become smart. New network structures combine fog and cloud resources for this purpose. The Software Systems Engineering working group and its partners in the EU project FogProtect are looking into how data can be protected here.

Big Data Platform for Seaports

New EU project: the DataPorts platform will contribute to more automation by enabling new applications of artificial intelligence.

Funding for PostDocs

We provide funding for PostDocs who already have an idea or research problem he/she would like to address in his/her research.

The Transformative Power of Big Data

The TransformingTransport project has demonstrated that Big Data can achieve enormous improvements in the European mobility and transport sector. Yesterday the project partners received the BDV PPP Best Success Story Award. Read the full success story.

TransformingTransport meets Startups

On June 13, 2019 the Duisburger Hafen AG (duisport), paluno and Software AG were guests at the innovation platform startport. They informed logistics startups about the results of the Big Data project TransformingTransport.

Review Hackathon at paluno

For those who did not have enough of programming during their studies a hackathon took place on June 8.
A. Metzger spricht auf der CAISE 2019

Andreas Metzger talks about AI-based approaches for information systems

The 31st International Conference on Advanced Information Systems Engineering (CAiSE 2019) will take place in Rome from 3 to 7 July. Dr. Andreas Metzger will give a keynote and a scientific lecture on AI-based approaches for information systems.

ICSSP in Montréal: Marian Daun presents the benefits of review models

At this year's ICSSP in Montréal, Dr. Marian Daun gave a lecture on the benefits of dedicated review models for the validation of functional software designs. The lecture is based on the results of an empirical study by the Software Systems Engineering group.

SPEDiT Final Event

Dr. Andreas Froese presented the training material for model-based development of embedded systems at the SPEDiT final event.
[Translate to Englisch:]

Logistics in Transition

On April 10, 2019, an event of the Johannes Rau Research Association took place at the DST - Development Center for Ship Technology and Transport Systems in Duisburg. Dr. Andreas Metzger gave insights into the EU lighthouse project "Transforming Transport".

Specification in the Development of Self-learning Highly Automated Systems

Yesterday, Dr. Thorsten Weyer gave the opening lecture at the conference "Modern Software Engineering on Embedded Devices" of the Swiss Information Technology Society (ITG) and the Swiss Informatics Society (SI). He showed how to deal with the specifications of highly automated systems in order to implement them systematically.

REFSQ 2019: RE Forever!

REFSQ, Europe's leading conference on Requirements Engineering (RE), took place for the 25th time from 18-21 March. A central question of the anniversary conference was: Does RE still have the right answers to the challenges of modern development projects?

Requirements Management as the Basis for Software Quality

Systematic Requirements Engineering (RE) is one of the most important disciplines in software development. Practitioners and scientists will discuss the best possible RE approaches from March 18-21 in Essen.

Mastering Complexity: Training Platform for Model-based Development

Together with its partners in the SPEDiT project, the Software Systems Engineering group has developed a training platform for model-based development of embedded systems and validated it in practice.

Workshop and Three Lectures at SE 2019 in Stuttgart

The Software Engineering and Software Management conferences of the Software Engineering Department of the German Informatics Society (GI, Gesellschaft für Informatik) are currently taking place in Stuttgart. paluno is represented with three presentations and co-organizer of the EMLS

Mars Rover and Semester Administration Tool: Students Present SEP Projects

38 students passed "the SEP" last week. They have proven their skills in programming, project management and teamwork.

Register now for REFSQ 2019!

Europe's leading Requirements Engineering (RE) conference REFSQ celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. Participants can expect special highlights.

Alumni Meetup 2019

Traditionally on the last Friday in January the alumni meeting of the chairs SSE and S3 took place again this year. Around 80 former and current employees took the opportunity to refresh old contacts and make new ones.

European Action Plan on Artificial Intelligence (AI)

In December, the European Commission presented a coordinated plan prepared with Members States to foster the development and use of AI in Europe. The BDVA, in which the working group of Prof. Dr. Klaus Pohl is an active member, welcomes the plan of the EU.

TransformingTransport: European Big Data Project at ICT 2018

Essen/Wien: The lighthouse project TransformingTransport (TT) is participating in the ICT 2018 in Vienna on December, 4-6. The ICT is the most important European event for research and innovation in information and communication technology and is organized by the European Commission. Live demonstrations will show how Big Data can be used for real-time decision making in the transport sector.

Speech about Requirements Engineering for Autonomous Self-learning Systems

Dr. Thorsten Weyer will present fundamental approaches for specifying highly automated self-learning systems at a meeting of the Requirements Engineering group of the Gesellschaft für Informatik (GI, German Informatics Society). The meeting will take place on November 29-30, 2018 in Nuremberg.

EU funding of digitization projects: position paper published

The European initiative NESSI emphasizes in a now published position paper the fundamental role of software for the digital transformation of Europe. The paper identifies important research topics in the field of software technology which, according to the experts, should be focused on in the next EU Research and Innovation Framework Programme. The Chair of Software Systems Engineering of Prof. Dr. Klaus Pohl played a major role in writing the paper.

How can uncertainties in the context of cyber-physical systems be documented?

In order to develop robust and reliable cyber-physical systems, it is important to understand which aspects of the system environment may not be exactly determinable. At this year's IEEE CASE, Torsten Bandyszak from Prof. Pohl's research group presented a new approach to modeling such uncertainties.

BMBF Project CrESt: Visit by Federal Research Minister Anja Karliczek

Autonomous vehicles, intelligent factories and dynamic power grids — the backbone of these future technologies are networks of collaborative, embedded systems. The BMBF research project CrESt (Collaborative Embedded Systems) is developing and testing solutions for "systems of cyber-physical systems".

Big Data Meet-Up in Sofia

On May 16, the European Big Data Value PPP (Public-Private Partnership) met in Sofia, Bulgaria. The event was organized by the PPP with the twofold objective of strengthening collaboration among the community members and increasing the visibility and awareness of the PPP in Eastern Europe in general, and Bulgaria in particular. Representatives of the European Commission and from Bulgaria contributed to the success of the event with interesting keynote speeches. ...

TransformingTransport at the Transport Research Arena (TRA) 2018

Dr. Andreas Metzger represented the European Big Data lighthouse project "TransformingTransport" at this year's TRA. As the technical coordinator, he gave a panel lecture on the project. The project partner also had a booth at the event.

TransformingTransport: Steering Group Met in Essen

On March 15 and 16, 2018, the steering group of the European lighthouse project TransformingTransport met at paluno in Essen.

Press Releases

Our press releases inform you about our research projects and the latest results and findings.

Events

Here you can find information about conferences and workshops we are involved in.