We are a research group
from
Ljubljana, Slovenia
With advanced expertise in
Using data mining for extracting knowledge from large datasets
Using text mining for extracting knowledge from textual documents
Using qualitative modeling for structured representation of experts' knowledge
Making complex software solutions easy to be used and accessible
Applying our results in the fields of
…. so that the knowledge
gained through advanced AI technologies
can help transforming to a sustainable society
The amount of data and information available to decision-makers is increasing, as are the number of requirements and restrictions. The complexity of decision-making is therefore becoming increasingly unmanageable and the probability of making the wrong decisions is rising sharply.
We collect knowledge from large amounts of data, extensive collections of scientific and technical publications and from experts. We use modern artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to organise the useful information into interpretable patterns, knowledge graphs and structured decision-making processes.
S-PFP Tool
2024
Sustainable public food procurement DSS
Local governments face the challenge of ensuring sustainable public food procurement while supporting small-scale farmers. Despite the benefits of public food procurement, such as boosting local economies and promoting sustainability, smaller farmers often struggle to participate due to complex legal and administrative requirements. This results in limited access to public procurement opportunities for small-scale producers, hindering their economic stability and the overall sustainability of the food system.
IPM Adviser
2023
BEFANA
2022
DEXiWare
2022
PATHFINDER
2021
A decision support system for sustainability assessment of legume agri-food chains
2021
A decision support system for optimizing management strategies of tomato production under different stress conditions
2019
EVADIF
2017
A decision support system for the risk management of water pollution by phytochemical products
Marko Debeljak is senior researcher and chair of the EcoEnvAI Group in the Department of Knowledge Technology at the Jozef Stefan Institute. The group focuses on applying various artificial intelligence (AI) methods to develop advanced decision support systems (DSS) that promote the sustainable management of natural resources. Marko Debeljak has a PhD in forest ecology and has been working as an ecological modeller using AI methods for more than 25 years. For the last 15 years, he has specialised in the development of AI-based DSS with a particular focus on sustainable agricultural and food systems. He has participated in more than 15 European research projects and published more than 70 papers. He collaborates with the leading European research institutes and universities in the field of agriculture and teaches ecological modelling as an associate professor at the Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, the University of Ljubljana and the University of Tennessee, USA.
Tanja Dergan holds a Master’s degree in agronomy economics from the Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences at the University of Maribor. In her master’s thesis, she applied AHP and ANP decision support methods to analyze tourism on farms. As part of her PhD, she is currently working on the sustainability assessment of agri- food chains using the DEX method. Her work bridges the gap between agri-food systems and advanced decision support systems with the aim of improving the overall sustainability and efficiency of the agri-food sector. Alongside her PhD research, she is also focused on public food procurement and its potential to support sustainable food systems, while her work with the EcoEnvAI team at the Jožef Stefan Institute allows her to tackle sustainability challenges through interdisciplinary approaches.
Bojan Blažica is a senior researcher with the EcoEnvAI team, specializing in web interfaces for decision support systems and applying large language models to environmental and sustainability topics. He studied electrical engineering at the University of Ljubljana and holds a Ph.D. in intelligent user interfaces, focusing on artificial intelligence in human-computer interaction. As a founder of the Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) community and the HCI-SI conference in Slovenia, he emphasizes a user-centered approach in his work. Bojan is also the co-founder and product manager of Tomappo, a web and mobile app for hobby gardening. In addition to his primary research, he has worked on biomechanical measurement devices, serious games for rehabilitation and sports, and applying sports training in aging studies.
Jurij Marinko holds a master’s degree in agronomy from the Biotechnical Faculty of the University of Ljubljana. In his master's thesis, he investigated the effectiveness of plant strengtheners on selected harmful and beneficial organisms and their potential as an alternative to pesticides. His desire to help farmers reduce the use of pesticides led him to pursue a PhD at the Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, where he is researching barriers and incentives for the adoption of decision support systems (DSS) in agriculture. His passion for nature conservation and supporting sustainable agricultural practises is also reflected in his work on other agroecological topics addressed by the EcoEnvAI research team.
Vid Podpečan is a senior researcher at the Jožef Stefan Institute, specializing in machine learning and data mining. He earned his BSc in Computer Science from the University of Ljubljana in 2007, followed by a PhD from the Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School in 2013. His research interests span various domains, including natural language processing, network analysis, robotics, and life sciences, with a particular emphasis on plant biology and soil science. He has co-authored two scientific monographs and published 25 original research articles. He has actively participated in numerous European and national research projects. He is also dedicated to education and the promotion of STEAM disciplines, focusing on robotics, programming, and art.
Manca Topole graduated from the University of Ljubljana with a BSc in Agriculture - Agronomy and is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Agronomy. The research for her master's thesis was part of the EUdaphobase COST Action, she focused on soil biodiversity data in the Balkans and its use for environmental assessments. As a technical associate, she continues her research at the Jožef Stefan Institute, focusing on the soil food web and exploring the functional links between soil communities and soil health to support sustainable land management practices.
We regularly team up with a range of different professions, including
who want to increase the sustainability in their particular field of work
who are interested in the scientific methods behind decision support systems
who are looking to take long term actions to improve the sustainability of society
Have a project idea for increasing sustainability in a knowledge-driven way?
by sending us an email or via LinkedIn