October 2026: The FBK projects making headlines

Artificial intelligence and mental health

Can a chatbot replace a psychologist? La Repubblica published an in-depth article on the topic, featuring a contribution by Leonardo Sanna, a researcher at the FBK Center for Digital Health & Wellbeing. Sanna described a trial involving 48 professionals, including psychologists and family doctors, in the evaluation of a chatbot based on the World Health Organization’s “Self-Help Plus” program. The tool was deemed promising, but as an aid to therapy, not as a substitute for a professional. Chatbots, Sanna pointed out, can simulate empathy without feeling it. Therefore, caution and scientific verification are needed.

Tecno, the podcast of “Il Sole 24 Ore”, also dedicated an episode to the topic: “Can AI be a psychologist?” The guests included Patrizio Bellan, a researcher at FBK’s Center for Digital Health & Wellbeing. The in-depth analysis explored the opportunities and limitations of AI in mental health support: from the ability of chatbots to engage in natural conversations to issues concerning the reliability of responses, the protection of vulnerable people and the relationship with healthcare professionals.

la Repubblica | Se l’IA si sostituisce allo psicologo. “Troppi rischi per i pazienti”. I terapeuti fissano le regole

Il Sole 24 Ore – Tecno | L’AI può fare lo psicologo?

Robotics and artificial intelligence for the protection of biodiversity

From the savannas of Kenya to the Trentino Dolomites, new technologies for wildlife conservation have been the focus of several in-depth articles in the press. ANSA reported on the results of WildDrone and the prospects of WildBotics, the new European project coordinated by Fabio Remondino, head of FBK’s 3D Optical Metrology 3DOM unit. By integrating robotics, artificial intelligence, and 3D reconstruction, the research aims to identify and monitor animals in their natural habitats, gathering increasingly accurate information on species, their movements and the characteristics of ecosystems, with a reduced environmental impact. Buongiorno Regione, TG3 and RaiNews 24 also dedicated a report to the trials conducted in the Ol Pejeta Nature Conservancy in Kenya and at Lake Nambino in the Adamello-Brenta Nature Park, describing the transition to increasingly autonomous robotic systems capable of collecting data and samples directly in the field. The project was also covered by “Il Gazzettino,” “L’Adige” and “il T”, highlighting the contribution of technological innovation to the protection of animal species and the sustainable management of natural environments.

ANSA | Robot autonomi e IA per monitorare la fauna selvatica sulle Dolomiti

Rai Buongiorno Regione | Dal Kenya a Nambino si sperimentano i droni autonomi a tutela dell’ambiente | October 29, 2026

TG3 – Mediterraneo | FBK e i droni per il monitoraggio della fauna selvatica dal Kenya alle Dolomiti | November 2, 2026

RaiNews24 | Droni e intelligenza artificiale di FBK per il monitoraggio della fauna selvatica | November 2, 2026

Il Gazzettino | Droni e intelligenza artificiale in Trentino

il T | Droni e intelligenza artificiale sostituiranno le fototrappole: il progetto della Fondazione Bruno Kessler | October 3,2026

L’Adige | Droni e robot per seguire gli animali sulle Dolomiti: il progetto europeo guidato da FBK | October 6, 2026

Alto Adige | Robot autonomi e IA per monitorare la fauna selvatica sulle Dolomiti | October 7 2026

EduNews24 | WildBotics, la rete europea di dottorati che studia la fauna alpina | October 7, 2026

Il Gazzettino | Droni e intelligenza artificiale in Trentino per monitorare la fauna selvatica | October 6, 2026

Artificial intelligence and weather forecasts

Eight years after Storm Vaia, Rai Leonardo reported on the rebirth of the Trentino forests and the technologies used to cope with extreme weather events. The segment also featured FBK’s school dedicated to artificial intelligence for meteorology and climate, as explained by the researcher from the DSIP unit, Gabriele Franch. The researcher described a nowcasting system that uses AI to analyze radar data in order to predict heavy precipitation in the next hour. An approach that enables the rapid processing of large amounts of weather information, with the aim of improving very short-term forecasts. The research thus opens up new perspectives for anticipating the risks associated with extreme events and supporting prevention and land protection measures.

Rai Leonardo | Otto anni dopo la tempesta Vaia, come rinasce il bosco del futuro in Trentino | October 29, 2026

Cybersecurity and digital identity protection

On the occasion of Cybersecurity Month, Silvio Ranise, Director of FBK’s Center for Cybersecurity, was featured on Rai Buongiorno Regione. In the interview, he described the possible actions of artificial intelligence in this area: it can enhance phishing, social engineering and the falsification of voices and images, but it can also help those who defend systems by identifying attacks and vulnerabilities more quickly thanks to the analysis of large amounts of data. Ranise also outlined FBK’s activities for the protection of digital identity and personal data, referring to collaborations with the Italian State Mint and Polygraphic Institute and the Department for Digital Transformation. The goal is to make the tools for identifying users and accessing online services more reliable, ensuring that only authorized individuals can view personal and sensitive information.

Rai Leonardo | Otto anni dopo la tempesta Vaia, come rinasce il bosco del futuro in Trentino | October 20, 2026

Gender-based violence

Digital manipulation was also the focus of the meeting “Dallo schermo alla realtà: la violenza di genere nell’era dei deepfake”  (From the Screen to Reality: Gender-Based Violence in the Era of Deepfakes), organized by FBK with Women4Cyber Italia on October 22. The initiative addressed abuses related to images, videos and voices generated or altered by AI, and the real-world consequences for victims, bringing together technological research, prevention and the protection of rights. The growing capacity of generative tools to produce seemingly authentic content is, in fact, making it increasingly difficult to differentiate real content from fake and is creating new challenges for the protection of individuals. The topic also garnered attention in the local media, including Buongiorno Regione – RAI, “il T” and Trentino TV, as part of the broader debate on the reliability of digital content and the risks of manipulation. A discussion that highlights the importance of complementing technological solutions with greater awareness and effective tools to combat abuse.

RTTR | Notizie Giorno, servizio sui deepfake e la violenza sulle donne | October 23, 2026

RTTR | Dalla rete alla realtà: FBK e Women4Cyber contro i deepfake e la violenza digitale | October 23, 2026

Trentino TV | Deepfake e violenza sulle donne | October 23, 2026

Alto Adige TV | Deepfake e violenza sulle donne | October 23, 2026

IlT | Pavan: «La violenza digitale rende la vita delle donne un inferno» | October 23, 2026

Il T | False immagini, il no della politica | October 23, 2026

TV33| TG33 | October 23, 2026

RAI | Buongiorno regione – dal min 26 | 4 novembre 2026

Artificial intelligence for precision medicine

3DSecret, the European project that integrates artificial intelligence, biosensors and genetic data for cancer research, also received press coverage. The results were covered, among others, by “L’Adige,” “il T,” “il Dolomiti” and RTTR, which reported on the prospects offered by new technologies for early diagnosis and personalized treatment. At the heart of the research is the possibility of using artificial intelligence to analyze and correlate complex biological data, thereby obtaining information that helps to better understand the characteristics of tumors. The integration of biosensors and advanced analytical tools can help identify signals relevant to diagnosis and guide the development of increasingly targeted treatments. An example of how collaboration between different disciplines, from biology to computer science, can support the evolution of precision medicine and open up new perspectives for cancer research.

il Dolomiti | Tumori e intelligenza artificiale: il sistema che legge il sangue per diagnosi precoci e cure su misura | September 28, 2026

RTTR | FBK e l’intelligenza artificiale per la ricerca oncologica | September 28,  2026

Agenzia giornalistica Opinione | Presentati a Trento i risultati di 3DSecret | September 28, 2026

il T | Usare l’AI per leggere il sangue e formulare diagnosi e cure su misura | September 28, 2026

L’Adige | Tumori e intelligenza artificiale: a Trento i risultati del progetto europeo 3DSecret | September 28, 2026

Tecnomedicina | FBK studia l’IA che legge il sangue per diagnosi precoci e cure su misura | September 28, 2026

AgenSalute | Ricerca oncologica: FBK studia l’IA che legge il sangue per diagnosi precoci e cure su misura | September 28, 2026

AGIPRESS | 3DSecret, l’AI di FBK integra dati genetici e clinici per studiare i tumori | September 28, 2026

InSaluteNews | Tumori, l’IA impara a leggere il paziente: genetica, immagini e sangue in un unico modello | 2026