DEEL: A major milestone for certifiable artificial intelligence in the aerospace sector

Launched in 2020 and set to conclude in December 2025, the DEEL project has reached a pivotal milestone in the evolution of artificial intelligence for critical systems in the aerospace sector. Born from a visionary initiative by François Laviolette, this Quebec-France consortium has demonstrated the power of academic-industrial collaboration in advancing technologies essential to our future.

L’investissement de 6,7 M$ réparti entre quatre partenaires industriels (Thales, CAE, Bombardier, Bell Helicopter), le MEIE (CRIAQ) et le CRSNG a généré des retombées considérables. 

Academically, the project has resulted in more than 67 scientific publications in leading conferences and journals, which have already garnered over 1,000 citations. This international recognition attests to the quality and relevance of the work carried out.

Beyond the numbers, one of the most valuable legacies is the development of a highly qualified next generation: 7 master’s degrees, 24 doctorates, and 6 postdoctoral fellowships have been completed, creating a pool of specialized talent for Quebec’s industry. These experts, trained to address the real-world challenges of critical systems, represent a major competitive advantage for our technology ecosystem.

An exemplary industry-academia partnership

Partnerships with Bombardier, Thales, CAE, and Bell Helicopter have enabled the development of practical applications that address real-world industrial challenges. Whether it involves detecting pilots’ alertness, predictive aircraft maintenance, or the interpretability of aeronautical classification systems, each project has benefited from the complementary expertise of researchers and practitioners.

This synergy has also fostered a research and innovation network in Quebec, facilitating knowledge transfer and the commercialization of industrial data. The 40 “Carrefours DEEL” seminars and presentations at the MobiliT.AI international conferences have strengthened ties between the academic and industrial communities in Quebec and France.

Toward a New Chapter: 2026–2031

Building on these lessons, DEEL will embark on its second chapter with renewed ambition. Four principal investigators will lead the research across four strategic areas: Robustness (Liam Paul, UdeM), Interpretability (Dhanya Sridhar, UdeM), Reliability (Foutse Khomh, Polytechnique Montréal), and Agency (Audrey Durand, Laval University). Particular emphasis will be placed on cross-cutting and interdisciplinary projects, integrating the opportunities offered by foundational models while addressing privacy and cybersecurity challenges.

While the first phase of DEEL laid out a clear roadmap of AI’s potential for critical applications, the second phase will aim to transform that potential into deployable solutions that will strengthen Quebec’s position as a trusted leader in AI. For our academic, industry, and government partners, this is an unprecedented opportunity: to help build the responsible technological future our society needs.