AETHER is a collaborative European research and innovation project funded by the European Space Agency (ESA) under the EXPRO+ programme, in response to the ITT: “Opening the Black Box: Self-Explainable AI for Earth Observation “.
The AETHER project is rooted in ESA’s FutureEO programme and Φ-lab strategy, which aim to push the frontiers of AI for Earth Observation. Building on decades of EO data, scientific excellence, and open innovation principles, AETHER aligns with European efforts to ensure trustworthy, transparent, and inclusive AI systems for sustainable development and climate action.
The AETHER consortium brings together a diverse and complementary group of European research institutions, combining leading expertise in Earth Observation, artificial intelligence, climate science, agriculture, biodiversity, and urban sustainability. Together, we aim to pioneer transparent and trustworthy AI solutions for high-impact environmental applications.
- Wageningen Environmental Research is a leading applied research institute within Wageningen University & Research. It specializes in the use of environmental data, digital innovation, and geospatial science to support sustainable land management, climate adaptation, and biodiversity conservation.
- Wageningen University is internationally recognized for its excellence in life sciences, environmental research, and agricultural innovation.
- Norwegian Institute for Air Research is a leading European institute in climate, atmospheric, and environmental research, with strong expertise in Earth Observation data integration and air quality modelling.
- Linköping University is one of Sweden’s top research universities, renowned for its pioneering work in computer vision, machine learning, and explainable AI (xAI).
- University of Kraków plays a leading role in urban climate research, with a focus on urban heat mapping, microclimate dynamics, and sustainable city planning.
Let’s build trust in AI for Earth Observation through transparency and explainabillity!
ESA Contract No 4000149494