When research meets young people, change shapes the future

The way younger generations are portrayed often swings between clichés and oversimplifications. They are frequently labeled as disengaged, passive, and constantly distracted. To some extent, the data appear to support this view: in Italy, the proportion of NEETs — young people aged 15 to 29 who are not in education, employment, or training — is declining but still exceeds the European average (15.2% compared to 11%). However, this perspective is neither the only one nor the most helpful. At Fondazione Bruno Kessler (FBK), we see a different, more grounded and constructive reality — one that is more essential than ever today. We see young people eager to play an active role in shaping the future, unafraid to face the technological, scientific, and social challenges of our time.

It is the passion and curiosity of Italian and international students that drive FBK’s most ambitious projects — initiatives that may seem distant from daily life but produce tangible, lasting impact. Two such programs deserve particular attention: WebValley and FBK Experience – Research Pioneers.

For over two decades, WebValley has served as a bridge between youth and science, tackling current issues like climate change, health, and security meet artificial intelligence.  Launched in 2001 as an international summer school, it has become a flagship initiative for high school students from Italy and around the world.  The 2025 edition, which recently concluded, focused on one of today’s most pressing challenges: understanding climate change using AI tools. Over the past 25 years, WebValley has trained 488 young people, many of whom now work on the front lines of research and innovation.  These are not mere spectators, but active contributors developing solutions — from climate risk assessment to AI-powered medical imaging for pediatric neuro-oncology.

Alongside WebValley is FBK Experience – Research Pioneers, a program designed for master’s students with an interest in quantum technologies — a rapidly advancing field that is poised to transform computing, communication, and our understanding of physical reality. Participants are selected to work closely with scientists and engineers at the FBK Clean Room, one of Europe’s most advanced research facilities. Here, theory meets practice in an environment that fosters precision, creativity, and experiential learning. In a world where the boundaries between science, technology, and application are increasingly fluid, research becomes an open frontier — ready for exploration by those with the courage to engage.

These programs are not only examples of educational excellence, but also signals of a broader shift.  In Italy, there is a generation that looks ahead with both confidence and skill — one that embraces today’s challenges and refuses to sit idly by. This is no time to dwell on limitations. It is time to design solutions, build alternatives, and open new pathways.

In Trento, knowledge becomes lived experience. The future takes shape through the contributions of those who choose to be present. Today’s youth are not simply witnesses to a changing world: they are aware, committed, and driving a new vision forward. They are not passive or disengaged, but clear-minded and ready to meet a future that may be uncertain — but must, and can, be shaped.

Fondazione Bruno Kessler stands as a center of scientific excellence and a catalyst of confidence in a future where artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, and research are tools placed in the capable hands of those eager to make a difference.

And it’s not only the youth who grow — the entire country is renewed through their dedication. In an age where the prospects of new generations are so often questioned, this offers a clear and powerful reassurance: the future is in good hands.