June 2025: The FBK projects making headlines
July 1, 2025
From microelectronics to railway and IT security, persuasive AI, and agritech: the FBK initiatives that stood out in June.
Generative Artificial Intelligence: How Italians really use it
As reported by Corriere della Sera, a national survey promoted by FBK in collaboration with the RiTA network – Resources for the Italian Language – is currently underway to explore how Italians use generative AI tools in their daily lives. The survey is open to everyone, including those unfamiliar with these technologies, and aims to provide a realistic and representative snapshot of AI usage in the Italian context. The data gathered will be key to shaping future educational initiatives and more effective public policies.
Beatrice Savoldi, a researcher in FBK’s Machine Translation unit and one of the project’s coordinators, notes that actual uses of AI often surprise experts: “In English-language studies, unexpected applications have emerged, such as planning trips or learning new skills. Hence the idea of observing what happens in Italy. “
Persuasive AI: Chatbots more convincing Than humans?
The Washington Post reports on a study published in Nature Human Behaviour, in which FBK participated. The research reveals that chatbots based on generative models like GPT-4 manage to persuade human conversation partners in 64.4% of cases. Riccardo Gallotti, head of FBK’s CHuB lab and a contributor to the study, highlights the ethical dimensions of these findings: “We’ve reached a point where LLM-based automated networks can strategically influence public opinion.” At the same time, Gallotti points to the positive potential of these technologies in combating misinformation, as demonstrated by the European #AI4TRUST project, which advocates for transparent and responsible AI use in the media landscape. The study has garnered national and international attention, with La Repubblica featuring a special Beautiful Minds profile on Riccardo Gallotti.
The Washington Post – AI is more persuasive than a human in a debate, study finds – 19 maggio 2025
Agritech and AI: Robotics meets fruit farming
In the agritech arena, FBK is leading two cutting-edge projects aimed at transforming fruit harvesting and processing—attracting international media coverage, including from Forbes Italia.
Ferox uses artificial intelligence and drones to 3D map forests, accurately pinpointing the location and volume of berries, making it possible to increase the efficiency and safety of the pickers’ work. AgileHand applies machine vision to automate the sorting and packaging of soft, deformable fruits. Developed in collaboration with specialized mechatronics companies and the Sant’Orsola Cooperative, these projects, according to Forbes, represent a fusion of technology innovation and local agricultural heritage.
Forbes Italia – Business by its fruits – June 2025
The Enterprise of Ideas: PoC by FBK – Test Your Idea!
In coverage by ilT Quotidiano, researchers from the three winning teams of FBK’s PoC (Proof of Concept) program Test Your Idea! shared the journey of transforming an initial idea into a market-ready project. Originating within FBK, the initiative involved 37 teams and 120 participants—40% of them under 30—who had just five minutes to pitch their innovations. From 17 shortlisted projects, the winners received up to €80,000 in funding, access to advanced laboratories, personalized training, and connections with venture capitalists and companies. The accompanying podcast offers insight not only into the technologies themselves but also into the ambition, collaboration, and challenges behind them—providing a deeper look into the research culture in Trentino.
Il T – L’impresa delle idee – June 12, 2025
Cybersecurity and digital traces
Silvio Ranise and Matteo Rizzi, respectively director and researcher at FBK’s Cybersecurity Center, appeared on Mattino Insieme on Trentino TV to discuss the digital traces we leave behind and how cyberattacks occur. Most attacks are orchestrated by organized crime, with around 40% targeting institutions and businesses, including small enterprises. The segment focused on the increasing complexity of
Trentino TV – Mattino Insieme from min 19 – June 4, 2025
Railway safety and microelectronics
Radio 24, nella trasmissione Smart City condotta da Maurizio Melis, Alessandro Cimatti e Lorenza Ferrario hanno raccontato due importanti progetti della Fondazione Bruno Kessler. Cimatti, direttore del Centro Digital Industry, ha illustrato lo sviluppo dell’URV (Unmanned Railway Vehicle), un treno autonomo da 200 km/h progettato per l’ispezione delle linee ad alta velocità. Il veicolo, lungo 7,5 metri e dotato di tecnologie ATO e sensori avanzati, è in grado di operare anche in ambienti critici e in tempi ridotti, riducendo così l’impatto ambientale e aumentando l’efficienza delle operazioni.
Ferrario, responsabile dell’unità Micro Nano Facility, ha invece parlato del ruolo di FBK nel programma IPCEI su microelettronica e tecnologie di comunicazione, che ha portato oltre 50 milioni di euro per lo sviluppo di micro-sensori e circuiti integrati con applicazioni in settori come medicina, aerospaziale e mobilità, e che prevede anche l’ampliamento delle clean room di FBK.
Radio 24 – Smart City – Nascono a Trento i sensori con una marcia in più
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