
I am a 23-year-old computer science engineer, from Algeria. My PhD research focuses on developing specific contracts for artificial intelligence (AI).
Who are you and what is your background?
I am Lahmar Mohammed Abdrrahim, a 23-year-old computer science engineer. I graduated from the Higher School of Computer Science (ESI-SBA - École Supérieure en Informatique 08 Mai 1945 - Sidi Bel Abbès) with a specialization in Information Systems and Web (SIW - Systèmes d'Information et Web). I got my baccalaureate in "Technical-Math" in 2018 with first-class honours. Additionally, I hold two diplomas: one in computer science engineering and another as a Master 2 in computer science. I was the major of my promotion.
I have developed expertise in several areas, including software engineering, project management, system analysis and design, artificial intelligence, both back-end and front-end development, and database management.
What is your PhD research/ topic about?
My PhD research focuses on developing specific contracts for artificial intelligence (AI)-intensive systems, particularly those that are distributed. These systems typically involve the integration of machine learning (ML) algorithms with traditional software and hardware components, creating challenges in maintaining correctness, safety, security, and performance across distributed environments. The research aims to design, define, and enforce software contracts that ensure these critical properties, supporting the integration of AI technologies into industries like autonomous systems, smart cities, and healthcare.
The contracts will mediate interactions between AI subsystems and other software systems, ensuring reliable and safe system behavior, particularly for systems that involve sensitive data. The development of these contracts is highly interdisciplinary, bridging software engineering, machine learning. This work is expected to contribute to the advancement of AI by making its integration into complex systems more secure and reliable.
What are the big challenges to be tackled and possible future impacts?
The major challenges in my research are ensuring the correctness, safety, security, and performance of AI-intensive systems, particularly those that operate in distributed environments. These systems often involve complex integrations of machine learning algorithms with traditional software and hardware components, making it difficult to guarantee their reliability and safe operation.
The potential future impacts of this research are substantial. By designing software contracts that mediate the interactions between AI components and traditional software, my research aims to significantly improve the reliability and safety of AI-driven systems.
The research's contribution to digital and industrial transitions will be to ensure the safe and scalable integration of AI in complex systems, driving more sustainable and reliable technological advancements across multiple domains.
What is the configuration of your PhD research? What about your co-supervision?
My PhD research will be conducted in a collaborative configuration, with a split between France and Belgium. I will spend two years in France at IMT Atlantique and one year in Belgium at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB). My PhD will be co-supervised by Mr. Mario Südohlt and Mr. Remous Aris Koutsiamanis from IMT Atlantique in France, and Mr. Coen De Roover and Mr. Wolfgang De Meuter from Vrije Universiteit Brussel in Belgium.
After a few weeks embarked as PhD fellow at IMT Atlantique, what is your first feeling about the programme and your institution?
After a few weeks as a PhD fellow at IMT Atlantique, I feel highly motivated and inspired by the collaborative and intellectually stimulating environment. The institution provides a rich academic atmosphere, with access to state-of-the-art research facilities and expert guidance from renowned faculty members. Additionally, the vibrant international community at IMT Atlantique makes it an exciting place to pursue advanced studies. Overall, I am confident that this environment will help me grow both as a researcher and as a professional in the field of machine learning and software engineering.