Alicia Troncoso Lora (born 1974 in Carmona, Spain) is a Spanish computer scientist specializing in artificial intelligence, particularly time series forecasting, big data, and deep learning. She is a professor of computer science at the Universidad Pablo de Olavide (UPO) in Seville, Spain, where she also directs the master's program in computer science. Since 2021, she has served as president of the Spanish Association for Artificial Intelligence (AEPIA) and sits on the advisory board of the Andalusian Digital Agency.
Her research has contributed to the application of Machine learning techniques in energy and environmental sciences, including electricity market price prediction and solar power forecasting. Troncoso has published over 200 works according to Google Scholar, with an h-index above 40, and has received national awards for her contributions to artificial intelligence.
Education
Troncoso earned her PhD in Computer Science from the University of Seville in 2005. Her dissertation, titled "Advanced Techniques of Prediction and Optimization Applied to Power Systems," focused on developing computational methods for forecasting and optimizing electrical power systems. This work laid the foundation for her later research in energy-related machine learning applications.
Academic career
Troncoso began her academic trajectory at the University of Seville, where she was a research fellow in the Department of Computer Science and Languages from 1999 to 2002. She then served as a lecturer there from 2002 to 2005 before moving to the Universidad Pablo de Olavide in 2005.
At UPO, she held several administrative roles, including Vice-Rector for Quality and Planning (2009-2011), Vice-Rector for ICT, Quality and Innovation (2012-2015), and Vice-Rector for Information Technologies and Digital Innovation (2016-2020). She became a Full Professor in 2018. Between 2012 and 2015, she served as Academic Coordinator for the bachelor's degree in Computer Science, and she later became Director of the Master's Program in Computer Science. Since 2022, she has been a member of the Academic Council of the Valencian Graduate School and Research Network in Artificial Intelligence (ValgrAI).
Research career
Troncoso's research centers on time series forecasting, big data, and deep learning, with a focus on energy and environmental applications. Her work involves developing machine learning algorithms for prediction tasks, particularly in electricity markets and renewable energy generation.
Key publications include a 2007 study on electricity market price forecasting using nearest-neighbor techniques, published in IEEE Transactions on Power Systems. In 2019, she published a study on solar power forecasting using deep learning in Expert Systems. More recently, in 2025, she introduced a new metric for evaluating explainability techniques in machine learning models for time series forecasting, published in IEEE Transactions on Pattern Analysis and Machine Intelligence.
According to Google Scholar, Troncoso has authored over 200 publications with an h-index above 40. She has supervised several doctoral dissertations and led research projects funded by the European Union and the Spanish government. Her work often integrates neural networks and data augmentation techniques to improve prediction accuracy in complex systems.
Leadership and affiliations
Troncoso has been president of the Spanish Association for Artificial Intelligence (AEPIA) since 2021, where she promotes the development and dissemination of AI research in Spain. She serves on the advisory board of the Andalusian Digital Agency, contributing to regional digital policy. Additionally, she is a member of the Scientific Advisory Committee of the AI4ES Network of Excellence, where she helps shape its Strategic Research Agenda for AI in environmental sciences.
Her leadership roles extend to academic governance, including her position on the ValgrAI Academic Council, which coordinates AI education and research across the Valencian region. These roles position her as a key figure in Spanish AI policy and education.
Awards and recognition
Troncoso has received several awards for her research and contributions to computer science. In 2005, she received the Best Research Work Award from the Endesa Foundation for her doctoral dissertation. In 2020, she was honored with the ROMA Award in the STEM category, recognizing her research career. In 2024, she received the National Computer Science Award (ARITMEL category) for contributions to artificial intelligence, conferred by the Spanish Computer Science Society (SCIE) and the BBVA Foundation.
These recognitions reflect her impact on both academic research and the broader application of AI in energy systems. Her awards also highlight her role in advancing women's participation in STEM fields in Spain.
Selected publications
Troncoso's publication record spans over two decades, with significant contributions to power systems and machine learning. Her 2007 IEEE Transactions on Power Systems paper on nearest-neighbor electricity price forecasting is widely cited in energy economics. The 2019 Expert Systems paper on solar power forecasting demonstrated the effectiveness of deep learning models for renewable energy prediction.
Her 2025 work in IEEE Transactions on Pattern Analysis and Machine Intelligence addresses the growing need for interpretable AI models, proposing a new metric for explainability in time series contexts. This research aligns with current trends in explainable artificial intelligence and responsible AI development.
Impact and legacy
Troncoso's work bridges theoretical machine learning and practical energy applications, influencing how utilities and grid operators use AI for forecasting. Her leadership in AEPIA and regional digital agencies has helped shape AI research priorities in Spain. As a professor and mentor, she has trained a generation of computer scientists specializing in data science and AI.
Her ongoing research continues to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and sustainability, particularly in optimizing renewable energy systems. Through her publications and institutional roles, she remains an influential voice in Spanish and European AI communities.