In this interview, the team behind AURORA MINDS, a project developed by DOTSOFT S.A. and the University of Ioannina, discusses their innovative approach to creating a privacy-conscious solution for ADHD diagnosis. By combining expertise in ICT, cybersecurity, and machine learning, AURORA MINDS aims to provide accurate and early assessments while prioritizing the security of sensitive data. With support from the TrustChain initiative, the team is advancing the field of e-health through a gamified platform that benefits children, clinicians, and parents by ensuring both precision and privacy.
Can you briefly present your team?
Our team for the AURORA MINDS project comprises experts from DOTSOFT S.A. and the University of Ioannina (UoI). DOTSOFT is a leader in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), focusing on innovative solutions in e-health, IoT, and machine learning applications, and has successfully executed numerous national and EU-funded projects. UoI contributes cutting-edge research in cybersecurity, machine learning, and data analysis through its Knowledge & Intelligent Computing Laboratory, bringing academic excellence to the project.
How did you come up with this project idea and what benefits will it bring to the end users?
The idea for AURORA MINDS emerged from a need to provide a privacy-conscious solution for ADHD diagnosis, addressing gaps in the market where existing tools often compromise on data privacy and security. We aim to create a gamified application that enables early and precise ADHD diagnosis while safeguarding personal data. Our solution benefits children by offering personalized, non-invasive assessments, while clinicians gain more accurate diagnostic tools, and parents receive a secure environment to support their child’s development.
How is TrustChain supporting your growth and what role does it play for the next steps in your development?
TrustChain plays a pivotal role in supporting our privacy-preserving efforts, providing a blockchain infrastructure that strengthens data governance and ensures trust among our users. By integrating federated learning and Privacy-Enhancing Technologies (PETs) into the TrustChain ecosystem, AURORA MINDS benefits from decentralized data handling, which is key to scaling our solution while maintaining privacy.
Why did you apply to the TrustChain call and has your vision changed since then?
We applied to the TrustChain call because of its focus on user privacy and data governance, which align perfectly with our project’s goals. While our core vision remains the same, our collaboration with TrustChain has further expanded our understanding of decentralized technologies and their applications in enhancing data privacy and security for vulnerable populations, such as children.
What is the most valuable takeout from the TrustChain project and why was the topic of the Open Call important to you/your team?
The most valuable takeaway has been the implementation of federated learning within a secure, decentralized infrastructure. This framework enables us to collect and process sensitive ADHD-related data without exposing users to unnecessary risks. TrustChain’s focus on privacy and trust perfectly matched our need to protect children’s data.
Did you establish collaboration with any of the TrustChain teams or plan for any kind of synergies? If yes, what is the biggest potential in such collaborations?
Yes, we are collaborating with the DidRoom project, integrating their identity management system to further enhance the privacy of user data within our application. This collaboration provides a strong synergy by combining cutting-edge digital identity solutions with our focus on secure data processing, maximizing user trust and data protection.
What are your expectations regarding the TrustChain software ecosystem and its contribution to the NGI priority areas?
We expect the TrustChain ecosystem to play a significant role in the NGI priority areas, particularly in advancing user-centric privacy solutions. TrustChain’s blockchain-based infrastructure supports AURORA MINDS in offering transparency, accountability, and trust, all critical to the future of secure healthcare applications.
What are the next steps for your team?
Our next steps involve scaling the platform for broader deployment and testing in real-world environments. We aim to integrate additional privacy features and gather feedback from pilot users to refine the system further before launching commercially.
What is the message you would give to new and potential applicants to TrustChain Open Calls?
We encourage potential applicants to leverage the TrustChain ecosystem’s strength in decentralized privacy technologies. The support from the community and access to state-of-the-art infrastructure offers invaluable opportunities to innovate in privacy-critical applications.
