How aerospace is turning to trustworthy AI

The Ohio Federal Research Network turned to a University of Cincinnati graduate to explain how aerospace engineering is looking for trustworthy artificial intelligence systems.

The network fosters research collaborations between Ohio universities and industry and government partners on projects in technology, aerospace, defense, energy and health.

UC doctoral graduate Lynn Pickering said AI is not so much about making systems smarter as safer and more reliable. She is a nationally recognized leader in explainable artificial intelligence.

“In aerospace and autonomous systems, there is little room for error,” Pickering told the Ohio Federal Research Network's blog. “One of the only ways we can use AI safely in these fields is if humans can understand its outputs and remain in control when something goes wrong.” 

Pickering earned a doctoral degree from UC's College of Engineering and Applied Science. Today, the Fulbright scholar and Amelia Earhart fellow is conducting independent research in Sweden after completing a research fellowship in Belgium. 

She was hooded as a doctoral graduate at UC's commencement last year.

At UC, Pickering worked with Professor Kelly Cohen. Last year the North American Fuzzy Information Processing Society recognized her for the best thesis.

Pickering told the Ohio Federal Research Network that her experience at UC and abroad taught her the value of mission-driven research.

“Mission-driven research taught me to prioritize robustness and scalability over pure novelty,” Pickering said. “It forced me to ask: Is this sustainable? Is it effective in the field? Can people in high-risk domains trust it?”

As Pickering's career takes flight, she joins Ohio luminaries in the field of aerospace engineering that include the Wright brothers, John Glenn and Neil Armstrong, who taught aerospace engineering at UC after walking on the moon.

“I’m incredibly proud to be part of an Ohio-grown aerospace workforce,” she said. “As a high school senior, I never imagined the opportunities that staying in Ohio would open for me.” 

Read the Ohio Federal Research Network blog.

Featured image at top: UC College of Engineering and Applied Science graduate Lynn Pickering spoke about the future of artificial intelligence in aerospace. Photo/Provided