Boris Düdder

What do you research?

I do research in formal methods and software engineering for distributed systems. One focus is trustworthy systems with safety and security guarantees. These systems are usually complex, for example, integrating into existing infrastructure or having subsystems with unreliable components, such as AI/ML subsystems. Another focus area is resilient systems, which can tolerate failures but also corruption, for example, after a hacker attack.

Why is it so important?

Research in formal methods and software engineering for distributed systems is crucial in today’s increasingly digital world. Modern distributed systems, such as cloud computing platforms, critical infrastructure, and autonomous vehicles, are highly complex. This complexity makes them susceptible to bugs, failures, and vulnerabilities that can have significant real-world consequences.

Ensuring these systems have safety and security guarantees is especially important in fields like healthcare, finance, and public infrastructure, where reliability and trustworthiness are paramount. Formal methods provide the rigorous tools needed to prove that these systems genuinely meet their requirements, rather than relying on hope or best effort.

Furthermore, as these systems often integrate components such as AI and ML, which can behave unpredictably or unreliably, robust engineering practices become crucial. By designing systems that can tolerate not only standard failures but also corruption or compromise after events such as hacker attacks, we help create technology that remains dependable under adverse conditions.

Ultimately, this research enables society to confidently rely on complex technological systems, knowing that they are trustworthy, resilient, and able to continue operating safely and securely even as they face new challenges and threats.

A project you are proud of?

I am proud of an exciting project where we explored the trustworthiness of a cutting-edge support system for Copenhagen's emergency hotline. This innovative system helps call center operators detect cardiac arrest. Our deep-dive analysis revealed important challenges, from issues in medical efficacy to underlying biases. It is incredibly rewarding that our findings now contribute to the EU Code of Practice for General-Purpose AI, helping to shape and protect future AI investments for companies and society.

Updated June 2026

Through his participation in Policy Fellowship 2025-2026, Boris will be working with Pia Færch and Jack Whitney, Global Patient Advocacy Lead, Global Policy and Patient Relations Lead, EU Affairs Lead at Novo Nordisk.