February 2026: The FBK projects making headlines
February 27, 2026
From the annual research and industry event focused on tomorrow’s Europe to the new leadership at the Center for Digital Health & Wellbeing, and from deepfakes to the Olympics: the FBK initiatives that made headlines in February
For a human-centered future. Research and industry for the Europe of tomorrow
The annual forum organized by Fondazione Bruno Kessler this year focused on industrial policy and technology transfer. ANSA served as media partner, and the event received coverage from numerous national outlets, including Wired and RaiNews. At the heart of the discussion was the initiative’s core message: without decisive investment in frontier technologies and structured collaboration between universities and industry, Europe risks falling behind the United States and China.
In his remarks, President Ferruccio Resta emphasized the urgency of strengthening the ability to translate scientific excellence into scalable innovation, particularly in light of Italy’s low national investment in R&D (0.8% of GDP). Significant attention was devoted to the role of artificial intelligence and advanced technologies in transforming production chains and infrastructure. From quantum research to Proof of Concept projects, the Bologna event reinforced a clear vision: integrating European expertise, industry, and networks to build a competitive, human-centered future.
A selection of coverage
Wired | “Ricerca e industria come due facce della stessa medaglia”| February 18, 2026
RaiNews | “Il futuro tra ricerca e industria, il punto al Tecnopolo di Bologna” | February 9, 2026
InnovationPost | “Resta (FBK): “La politica deve sostenere ricerca e innovazione” | February 9, 2026
The T |“Competitività e ricerca: Fbk lancia la sfida europea dal Tecnopolo di Bologna “
L’Adige | “Fbk a Bologna: dalla ricerca all’industria” | February 10, 2026
Digital Health & Wellbeing
Federico Cabitza has been appointed the new director of FBK’s Center for Digital Health & Wellbeing, as reported by L’Adige and Il T. A professor at the University of Milan-Bicocca, where he teaches human–computer interaction and decision support systems, Cabitza is an expert in artificial intelligence applied to clinical processes and the author of more than 300 scientific publications. In his new role, he expressed his goal of strengthening the Center as a hub of international excellence, leveraging AI to generate tangible and widespread benefits for healthcare professionals and citizens. His vision is for an artificial intelligence that “becomes ordinary”: a reliable tool integrated into daily clinical practice, capable of supporting professionals, improving decision quality, and making digital health increasingly accessible, sustainable, and person-centered.
Il T | “Sanità digitale,Cabitza nuovo direttore” | February 5, 2026
L’Adige | “FBK. Nomitato Cabitza” | February 5, 2026
FBK Science Ambassador: From the Olympics to Women in Science and Deepfakes
Did you know that curling is a sport of Scottish origin? And that its name comes from the verb “to curl,” not from a word containing the letter “ø”? Nicolò Crescini explored the physics behind one of the signature sports of these Olympics in an editorial published in L’Adige. The same newspaper also featured an in-depth article on cybersecurity at the Olympics by Matteo Rizzi. During the opening week of the Games alone, from February 2 to 8, 8,000 cyberattacks were recorded across Europe, 42.9% of them in Italy. Rizzi explained the objectives behind these attacks, how institutions can protect themselves, and the actions taken by the Center for Cybersecurity. Deepfakes and strategies to counter them were the focus of a segment featuring Riccardo Gallotti and Elisa Ricci on the show Progress on Sky TG24. Referring to recent news cases, they discussed the AI4TRUST project and explained how its solutions can provide concrete support to society and to those working in the media. Also on television, as guests on Trentino TV’s show Mattino Insieme, Elena Donini and Monica Moroni shared their professional journeys and reflected on what it means to conduct research today. From the frontiers of space to health research, their diverse experiences highlighted the transformative power of science.
L’Adige | “Roberto Carlos e la fisica del curling” | February 16, 2026
L’Adige | “Allarme hacker, serve attenzione” | February 20, 2026
Sky Tg24 | “Disinformazione, deepfake e il progetto AI4TRUST” | February 16, 2026
Trentino TV | Mattino insieme | February 11, 2026
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