In this captivating series, we had the privilege of interviewing the eminent Dr. Juan M. Corchado, Section Editor-in-Chief of the “Computer Science & Engineering” Section of Electronics (ISSN: 2079-9292). Renowned for his groundbreaking contributions in artificial intelligence, machine learning, blockchain, IoT, fog computing, edge computing, smart cities, smart grids, sentiment analysis, and bioinformatics, Dr. Corchado shares his invaluable insights and takes us on an exclusive journey into the inner workings of the journal. Through these interviews, our aim is to offer a unique perspective on the publishing process, straight from the Section Editor-in-Chief himself.

The following is a short Q&A with Dr. Juan M. Corchado, who shared his vision for the journal with us, as well as his views on the research area and open access publishing.

1. Can you share with us some information about your academic background?
I hold a Ph.D. in computer science from the esteemed University of Salamanca, Spain, as well as another in artificial intelligence from the University of the West of Scotland. Throughout my academic journey, I have been fortunate enough to serve as the Dean of the Faculty of Science not once, but twice. Additionally, I had the privilege of holding the esteemed position of Vice-Rector for Research and Transfer from 2013 to 2017, along with the role of Director of the Science Park at the University of Salamanca. Currently, I am deeply involved in various cutting-edge initiatives. I proudly serve as the director of the IOT Digital Innovation Hub and hold the esteemed position of president at the AIR Institute.

2. What are your current interests?
My work primarily revolves around groundbreaking projects centered on artificial intelligence, machine learning, blockchain, IoT, fog computing, edge computing, smart cities, smart grids, sentiment analysis, and bioinformatics. Leveraging my extensive experience, I was recently appointed as a trustee of the prestigious AstraZeneca Foundation, a position I hold with great honor and responsibility.

3. What made you choose to work with us knowing that we are an open access digital publisher?
In my view, I strongly believe that open access represents the future of publishing. I hold a positive stance towards the concept of providing free access to information. It is worth noting that one of the requirements for European projects is to publish research in an open access format. This presents a remarkable opportunity to contribute to the development of countries that may not have the same level of access to resources.

4. Electronics is an open access publication. How do you think open access impacts authors?
From the Section Editor-in-Chief perspective, I see open access as the way forward for the future of publishing. The idea of enabling unrestricted access to valuable information resonates with me and aligns with my vision for fostering knowledge dissemination. I believe that authors are the key foundation for open access. I am genuinely content with the work and contributions that our authors make to the scientific community. Their dedication and commitment to advancing knowledge are commendable. It is through their collective efforts that we can foster a vibrant and impactful scholarly environment.

5. What is the main challenge in ensuring the integrity and quality of academic publications?
In my role as the Section Editor-in-Chief, I strongly encourage authors to upload their code and other supplementary materials on platforms like GitHub. Doing so not only facilitates easy reference for readers, but also enhances the credibility of their work. By making these resources readily accessible, authors contribute to the transparency and reproducibility of their research, which is highly valued in the scientific community.

6. Which research topics do you think will be of particular interest to the research community in the coming years?
I’m aware that there are numerous automated tools, including options like ChatGPT, that facilitate the creation of PowerPoint presentations. However, it's important to acknowledge that the advancements in AI extend far beyond just these tools. Exciting developments are occurring in various other AI-related areas. Some notable examples include the emergence of data lakes, the implementation of federated learning, the integration of AI in blockchain technology, and the continuous development of new models.

We wish Dr. Juan M. Corchado every success in his current position as Section Editor-in-Chief, and we look forward to his future contributions to the journal.