eLaw leads social science research in AI:Liner project for Europe's sewer infrastructure
eLaw – Center for Law and Digital Technologies has officially launched its participation in AI:Liner, a Horizon Europe project that will transform how Europe manages its aging sewer infrastructure through artificial intelligence and digital innovation.
Project kickoff in Berlin
On 16 and 17 October 2025, the AI:Liner consortium held its kickoff meeting in Berlin, bringing together 21 partners from across Europe. Representing Leiden University were Eduard Fosch-Villaronga, Carlotta Rigotti, and Chloe Gros.
AI solution for optimised sewer system maintenance
Sewers have been crucial for maintaining living conditions, cleanliness, and preventing disease outbreaks in cities worldwide for thousands of years. Despite technological and methodological advancements in recent decades, sewer systems often remain undermaintained and insufficiently monitored, despite their vital importance. The EU-funded AI:Liner project aims to enhance the asset management life cycle of sewer networks by designing, developing, and validating a range of state-of-the-art technological and digital solutions that optimise maintenance, planning, and operations while reducing costs and unexpected failures. The project will leverage growing European CCTV inspection data alongside AI-based fault detection and novel in-situ monitoring techniques to enable optimal planning and implementation of repair and rehabilitation efforts.
eLaw's role: ensuring trustworthy and socially responsible AI
As the social science and trustworthy AI lead, eLaw will be responsible for four key knowledge products throughout the 36-month project:
- Workforce perception and impact assessment: Through large-scale surveys of over 1,000 workers and 30 expert interviews, the team will map how water sector employees perceive AI automation, which roles are most affected, and what concerns emerge around job security and the digital divide.
- ALTAI implementation framework: eLaw will pioneer the application of the European Commission's Assessment List for Trustworthy AI (ALTAI) to sewer asset management. This addresses a critical gap: the AI Act excludes critical infrastructure from mandatory fundamental rights assessments, leaving utilities without clear ethical guidance.
- AI Act compliance platform: Recognising that utilities struggle to navigate the complex regulatory landscape – including the AI Act, GDPR, Data Governance Act, cybersecurity regulations, and occupational safety laws – eLaw will develop an interactive online platform to help water operators identify compliance issues and reduce legal uncertainties.
- Training and skills development: The team will develop five Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) on AI-assisted infrastructure management, legal compliance, and ethical considerations. eLaw will also contribute to developing standardisation efforts with CEN CENELEC, co-creating a Workshop Agreement for trustworthy AI guidelines in water management.
Real-world impact in Berlin and Madrid
eLaw's findings will directly inform the deployment of AI:Liner solutions in pilot cities including Berlin and Madrid. The data governance framework developed by the team will be tested with actual utility operations, while compliance tools will ensure all technical solutions meet evolving European regulations.
About AI:Liner
AI:Liner is funded by the European Union's Horizon Europe programme under grant agreement 101177951. The project runs from September 2025 to August 2028. The principal investigator of the project is Kompetenzzentrum Wasser Berlin.
Interested in learning more? Contact Eduard Fosch-Villaronga at e.fosch.villaronga@law.leidenuniv.nl