inTRUSTED

Trust in technology refers to the confidence that users, organisations, and societies place in digital systems to function securely, reliably, and ethically. It involves transparency, accountability, & assurance that technology, whether AI, cloud computing, or IoT within digital ecosystems, operates as intended, respects privacy, & safeguards data. Trust is built through strong security, data management, regulatory compliance, ethical design, & user empowerment, ensuring that technology aligns with human values and societal expectations. Without trust, adoption slows, risks increase, & the benefits of digital innovation are undermined. For example, regulatory barriers & governance gaps in sectors like healthcare (an inTRUSTED pilot) hinder technology adoption, raising data privacy & security concerns. Existing approaches often prioritise technical security measures in isolation, overlooking socio-ethical factors, which erodes trust & slows digital solution uptake in care settings. inTRUSTED’s research program (figure below) & methodology draws from the concept of a Living Lab, which is a real-world innovation ecosystem that uses co-creation to integrate research & development, engage communities & stakeholders while placing end-users at the center of the process.[1] By integrating technical innovations, compliance, co-creation, participatory design, creative practices & iterative experimentation, inTRUSTED aims to foster an environment where innovation aligns with the genuine needs & values of people, creating trusted, sustainable, & inclusive digital ecosystems. This aligns with Horizon Europe’s Destination 6 objective of building trustworthy & human-centric digital ecosystems. Existing research often focuses on isolated technical solutions without real-world validation or interdisciplinary integration. Holistic, evidence-based approaches that combine technology, policy, & user perspectives to qualify, measure & enhance trust in digital ecosystems are needed. inTRUSTED supports 5 interrelated post doc (PD) projects (including pilot studies), ensuring a multi-perspective, interdisciplinary approach to solving trust related challenges in collaborative digital ecosystems. The five PDs will work interdependently. The 5 PD projects (PD1-PD5) are interwoven to build trust in digital ecosystems by addressing security, governance, human-centred design, compliance, & creative engagement in a holistic, interconnected way & will foster collaboration between researchers, industry, policymakers, & users, creating real-world, actionable outcomes.   [1] European Network of Living Labs https://enoll.org/living-labs/#living-labs