CLARA
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funded by FFG and Eurostars
Chatbot
1. Apr. 2025
in progress
Value Based Engineering, ISO 42001
Creative Data
CLARA transforms how people access repair support
Instead of searching through long, outdated manuals, users receive clear, instant answers through a conversational, AI‑powered assistant.
Traditional product manuals are often hard to find, difficult to understand, and expensive for manufacturers to translate. CLARA solves these challenges with generative AI and natural language processing — delivering accurate, up‑to‑date guidance in natural language.
By simply scanning a QR code on the product (e.g., a lawn mower), users can open CLARA directly in familiar messaging apps like WhatsApp and get immediate, reliable help for any repair or troubleshooting question.
CLARA is being developed in collaboration between Creative Data and innovethic, and is funded by Eurostars and the national funding agency FFG.
The Ethical Challenges
- Trust, clarity, and safety
Users expect a chatbot to deliver clear, reliable, and verifiable guidance. To maintain trust, answers must reference their sources, avoid misunderstandings, and include necessary safety warnings. Any ambiguity or hallucinated response risks user frustration, device damage, or loss of confidence in the system. - Privacy, fairness, and responsible data use
A responsible chatbot must protect user privacy, minimize data collection, and remain transparent about how information is processed. It should avoid nudging users toward commercial decisions, prevent misuse of personal data, and ensure fairness by counteracting biases embedded in training data. - User autonomy and broader societal impact
A well‑designed chatbot empowers users without fostering over‑dependence or diminishing problem‑solving skills. It should support learning and accessibility while avoiding exclusion of less tech‑savvy groups. Ethical design also considers the wider impact — such as effects on human support roles, social interaction, and long‑term sustainability.
Our Strategy: Designed for People, Guided by Standards
Chatbots are classified as ‘limited‑risk’ AI systems under the EU AI Act, which means providers must follow transparency requirements — most importantly, informing users that they are interacting with an AI system. We fully support these obligations. But responsible innovation requires more: it must reflect the wishes, needs, and values of the people who actually use the technology.
That’s why we integrated Value‑Based Engineering into the development of the CLARA chatbot. Following the IEEE 7000 standard — the world’s first framework for ethically aligned product design — we systematically explored user values and potential impacts. This approach ensures that CLARA is built not only to comply with the law, but to respect human dignity, autonomy, and trust from the ground up.
We also design CLARA in line with ISO/IEC 42001, the world’s first standard for AI management systems. It offers a structured way for organizations to manage AI responsibly, addressing challenges such as transparency, risk management, continuous learning, and ethical oversight. By following this guidance, CLARA balances innovation with robust governance — delivering value while ensuring safety and accountability.
Testimonial
‘With innovethic, we have a knowledgeable and supportive partner who helps us address ethical and legal challenges with clarity and confidence.’
