News

Research from FIT focusing on the verification of quantum computations was selected among the most interesting works in the field of computer science

An article entitled An Automata-Based Framework for Verification and Bug Hunting in Quantum Circuits, to which Ondřej Lengál from the VeriFIT group made a significant contribution, was selected as a research highlight for the journal Communications of the ACM. The research highlights section usually selects several of the most interesting results from tens of thousands of articles submitted annually to ACM conferences across all areas of computer science. This is the first time that an article with a Czech affiliation has received this privilege.

The cited article introduces a new approach to the automatic verification of quantum computations using automata theory, thus creating a bridge between these two research areas (quantum computing and automata). Automata are used here for the compact representation of complex sets of quantum states. Follow-up work introduces variants of these automata that allow the representation of sets of quantum states with several dimensions of infinity (such as the number of qubits or potential amplitude values) and the verification of parametric quantum programs (e.g., that the algorithm works correctly for any number of qubits).

The article was written in collaboration with researchers from Academia Sinica in Taiwan (Republic of China), with whom the VeriFIT group has been actively collaborating for more than 15 years. More information on Ondřej Lengál's research and the challenges associated with quantum computing can be found here.

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New possibilities for diagnosing respiratory diseases: joint research by experts from FIT VUT and doctors from Brno University Hospital

Another research project by experts from our faculty is gaining important integration into medical practice. Researchers from the STRaDe group, including faculty students involved in the group, are working in collaboration with experts from the Clinic of Pulmonary Diseases and Tuberculosis at the Brno University Hospital to develop new methods for diagnosing and monitoring respiratory and lung diseases. The joint research is being conducted under a memorandum of cooperation signed at the beginning of this year.

The team's goal is to create detailed models of selected sections of the respiratory tract and, at the same time, to explore the possibilities for their most effective measurement. Thanks to the combination of these approaches, doctors will have tools at their disposal that will allow them to monitor much more accurately how the respiratory tract changes over time – whether as a result of natural development or in connection with a specific disease. Such findings are crucial, for example, when deciding on a course of treatment or evaluating the effectiveness of the therapy used. Head of the Department of Pulmonary Diseases and Tuberculosis Prof. Milan Sova says of the practical applicability of the research: "In clinical practice, we often encounter situations where, for example, we need to calculate the diameters of the trachea and bronchi in real time during an endoscopic examination. Currently, there are no available solutions, but thanks to our collaboration with FIT VUT, we are able to explore new avenues and develop methods that will help our patients in the future. Our goal is to be at the forefront of research in this area, and collaboration with VUT is the way to achieve this." When asked about specific diagnoses in which the new methods can be used, Prof. Sova lists airway stenosis of both malignant and benign etiology.

To achieve these results, scientists use a wide range of modern technologies. In addition to proven computer vision techniques, they also rely on the latest machine learning and artificial intelligence methods, which enable the automation of image data analysis. They also draw inspiration from areas outside medicine, such as the automotive industry, where similar algorithms have proven themselves in real-time image analysis under demanding conditions. "Every day, new possibilities emerge in the field of artificial intelligence and image processing, but their implementation in practice is gradual. Our goal is to transfer these technologies into the real world as quickly as possible and find specific applications for them in healthcare. We believe that modern IT methods can bring enormous benefits in the diagnosis and treatment of patients, which is why we are working closely with the Department of Pulmonary Diseases and Tuberculosis," says Tomáš Goldmann, principal investigator at FIT VUT, summarizing the motivation behind the project.

The practical benefits of the collaboration are evident. "If everything goes according to plan, this will be a solution that will significantly simplify endoscopic examinations in patients with airway stenosis, tracheal dyskinesia, and similar conditions. This will be followed by standard therapy, which, however, can be tailored to each patient," summarizes the desired goal of Professor Milan Sova from the Department of Pulmonary Diseases and Tuberculosis.

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Successful conclusion of the JSALT 2025 international research workshop

A reception held at the BUT Rector's Office on Friday, August 1, marked the end of the international research workshop JSALT 2025, organized by the Center for Language and Speech Processing at Johns Hopkins University in Maryland. The event, now in its 32nd year, attracted more than 100 researchers from 22 countries working in the field of speech and language technologies. It took place at the Faculty of Information Technology at BUT over a period of six weeks (preceded by a summer school).

The program was based on the work of four research teams, which presented their findings during the last days of the workshop, all of which were related to the topic of machine learning applied to human speech. Although we are a small country, speech and language technologies rank us among the most important global centers, alongside the United States and China. The Czech Republic's, and specifically Brno's, footprint in this area of artificial intelligence is undeniable, thanks to the Speech@FIT research group and names such as Hynek Heřmanský, Jan Černocký, and Lukáš Burget.

The goal of JSALT is, of course, to push the boundaries of research. However, perhaps an even more significant outcome of the workshop can be seen in the promotion of international scientific cooperation. Many of today's technologies have their roots in research and collaborations that began at JSALT. We would like to thank the organizers, presenters, and participants for their work and enthusiasm!

More detailed information about the workshop, the work of our "speakers," and a link to the event's photo gallery can be found HERE.

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Success of this year's Summer IT School for Girls

From August 25 to 29, our faculty hosted the traditional Summer School of IT for Girls, the oldest event of its kind in the Czech Republic. It was founded in 2005 by Professor Jan M. Honzík, who drew attention to the underrepresentation of women in IT. More than thirty high school girls participated in this year's edition.

The mission of the Summer School remains the same – in addition to learning about the field, participants also take away the conviction that technology and information technology are open to anyone who is interested. This year, for example, the girls learned to apply the basics of machine learning in Python, tried their hand at designing a mobile application in Figma, and became familiar with embedded systems and working in the MicroBid platform. They also gave positive feedback on the discussion with FIT graduates from leading technology companies.

The summer school attracted the interest of a number of media outlets, including Czech Radio and the Seznam Zprávy news website. You can get a feel for the atmosphere of this year's event in this report by Czech Television.

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Bring your research to the business world: apply to the Applied program

Are you studying for a master's degree, or are you a doctoral student or postdoc at FIT VUT? Are you currently working on an interesting research project and attracted by the idea of its practical application? Sign up for the fall run of the Applied! From Research to Business program.

Thanks to this program from the South Moravian Innovation Agency JIC, you will learn how to commercialize the results of your research work. What can you expect? The Applied! program (formerly known as JIC Ph.D. Academy) will help you during eight practical meetings to:

  • identify the commercial potential of a research project,
  • learn how to present it clearly and evaluate its market potential,
  • understand the basics of technology transfer and gain an overview of financing options,
  • establish contacts with mentors from JIC, other experts, and inspiring founders of startups with academic roots.

Each block, starting at 1:00 p.m. and ending at 5:00 p.m., combines expert lectures, workshops, mentoring, and networking. The venue is JIC INMEC, Purkyňova 127, Brno-Medlánky.

  • October 2: How to present your research project?
  • October 9: How to identify commercial potential?
  • October 23: How to build a project based on academic knowledge?
  • October 30: How to approach technology transfer?
  • November 6: Pitch training session and mentoring with JIC consultants
  • November 20: How to verify the commercial potential of a project?
  • November 27: How to finance the commercialization of projects?
  • December 11: Mentors Day

Program price: CZK 3,000 incl. VAT More information about the program can be found on the JIC website.

Applied! offers you the opportunity to connect the worlds of academia and industry, teaches you to recognize opportunities, and supports your entrepreneurship.


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