Project name: ASTOUND
EU Contribution: € 3 300 000
Location: Spain
ASTOUND advanced awareness-inspired AI by translating Theory of Mind principles into computable architectures and validated prototypes. Indeep AI delivered DIALOGIC, an ethically aligned communication intelligence platform to improve transparency and trustworthy human-AI interaction. In parallel, UPM developed ASSIST-AI, a multimodal conversational guide for museums and cultural heritage, enabling curated, interactive visitor support.
Vision & ImpactASTOUND achieved a breakthrough in cognitive robotics and conversational AI technology, delivering sophisticated voice-first assistant platforms that revolutionise how users interact with documents through intelligent, Theory of mind-aware conversations
CollaborationThe EIC support let de-risk frontier research, iterate with top labs, and then pivot fast when LLMs reshaped the field. Business coaching sharpened the IP and go-to-market plan, and the Booster Grant validated real sector use cases with strong stakeholder pull.
What's next ?Indeep AI will mature DIALOGIC into an industry-grade platform for regulated, document-intensive sectors, including insurance, legal, and grant writing. UPM will advance conversational systems for museums, driving trustworthy documentation and AI-powered experiences across Europe.
EIC support enabled Indeep AI to translate neuroscientific theory into a concrete, deployable solution. It gave us the room to validate the principles rigorously, iterate quickly as foundation models evolved, and deliver a practical platform that makes human-AI communication more transparent and trustworthy, positioning the technology for real-world adoption and scale.
Thanks to EIC support, ASTOUND has bridged the gap between cognitive neuroscience and scalable engineering. By operationalizing the Attention Schema Theory (AST), we have moved beyond static algorithms to create AI agents with genuine social competence and dynamic Theory of Mind capabilities. The Pathfinder Challenge provided the framework to design, implement and test these principles for real-world scenarios, from next-generation art museums to complex document analysis, enabling a prototype where human-AI interaction is personalized, transparent, empathetic, and trustworthy. ASTOUND sets a benchmark for “aware” technology, keeping European AI firmly grounded in human-centric values.
ASTOUND's Timeline
- January 2026DIALOGIC EIC Transition funded
DIALOGIC was awarded an EIC Transition grant, enabling platform validation and scale-up toward real-world deployment in the insurance sector. AIDA receives the EIC Seal of Excellence.
- September 2025Transition applications
Two Transition proposals submitted: DIALOGIC (Indeep AI) and AIDA (UPM).
- May 2025Prototype 2: ASSIST-AI
UPM releases multimodal conversational agent for museums and cultural heritage guidance.
- February - July 2025EIC Booster: ASSIST
Indeep AI secures an EIC Booster Grant and leads the ASSIST project in collaboration withUPM to validate the market potential of contextually aware vocal agents for the tourism sector.
- December 2024Prototype 1: DIALOGIC
Indeep AI releases DIALOGIC with JedAI agent and DPDF concept to make complex documents more explainable.
- May 2024Application Focus
Project started developing contextually aware AI tools for interpretability, transparency, and cognitive alignment in human-AI communication.
- January 2024AST architecture designed
Novel architecture operationalises theoretical principles for integration into LLMs.
- December 2022Project start
ASTOUND launches to translate Attention Schema Theory of consciousness into computable AI architectures.