Mek marks two years in ITEA project ExplAIn for interactive AI development

This collaborative venture which began in 2022 involving 17 partners across three countries, aims to transform the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in industrial environments. It will conclude in May 2025.

One of the key challenges addressed by ExplAIn is the low adoption rate of AI/ML in industrial settings due to a lack of trust in models without clear or transparent reasoning. By enriching the conventional ML lifecycle with human-centred explanations, the project aims to increase trust, transparency, and collaboration between stakeholders.

To unlock the potential benefits of AI in industrial settings, it's crucial for experts and end-users to understand how ML models make decisions. This is the focus of Explainable AI (XAI) research. Close collaboration is essential between AI providers, researchers in machine learning and XAI, software engineers, user experience specialists, and human factors experts to develop AI solutions that fit the specific requirements of industrial settings. The EXPLAIN project aims to achieve this by creating an interactive and understandable ML lifecycle tailored for industrial domain experts.

Mek contributes its expertise to the research element focused on Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA). Alongside fellow Dutch companies Prodrive and Signify (formerly Philips Lighting), as well as the Technical University of Delft, Mek plays an integral role in advancing AI-driven solutions for Automated Optical Inspection (AOI) in electronics manufacturing.

In addition to the Dutch contingent focusing on AI in electronics manufacturing, the ExplAIn project brings together leading companies from other industries in Germany and Sweden. In Germany the participants are ABB Corporate Research Centre, Ginkgo Analytics, Lausitz Energie Kraftwerke, Technical University of Darmstadt, and University of Hildesheim. Partners from Sweden are ABB AB Corporate Research, Boliden Mineral AB, Linköping University, Sodra Skogsagarna Ekonomisk Forening, Umeå University, and Viking Analytics AB.

"This project represents a significant step forward in the integration of AI into industrial environments," said Mr. Pablo Rodríguez Carrión formerly the project leader at ABB. "By fostering collaboration and transparency, ExplAIn will empower domain experts and end-users to leverage AI effectively, driving innovation and competitiveness in the global market."

Henk Biemans, CEO of Mek, added: "The ExplAIn project represents a significant opportunity for Mek to collaborate with leading organisations and drive innovation in AI for electronics manufacturing. We are committed to leveraging our expertise with AI to contribute meaningfully to this transformative initiative, ultimately benefiting our industry and society as a whole."