People at the center of artificial intelligence
A growth of 50% in strategic agreements with national companies and 30% in patents and startups through the development of innovative technologies and artificial intelligence, the only tools to face change, now a distinctive daily feature of our time.
These are two of the objectives that Fondazione Bruno Kessler intends to pursue over the next three years, as established in the office term plan, a document that redefines the Foundation’s purpose and mission, presented on January 26, 2024 by President Ferruccio Resta at the Italian Stock Exchange in Milan.
Fondazione Bruno Kessler is a leading multidisciplinary research institution in the field of artificial intelligence, biomedical research, space exploration, digital industry, environment and quantum applications.
The event was attended by the Minister of Economy and Finance, Giancarlo Giorgetti, the president of the Italian Stock Exchange, Claudia Parzani, the president of the Autonomous Province of Trento, Maurizio Fugatti, and the president of the Lombardy Region, Attilio Fontana.
Fondazione Bruno Kessler president Ferruccio Resta explained: “In a context marked by phenomena such as climate change, the aging of the European population, digitalization, international instability and youth mobility, the commitment that Fondazione Bruno Kessler now makes publicly is to ensure quality, interdisciplinary, international research, capable of renewing existing technologies and models and offering new solutions. We intend to face the era of Artificial Intelligence with quality, wisdom and scientific robustness, helping society to govern its impacts.”
For the next few years, the Foundation has set tangible and measurable goals that will monitor its progress towards its commitments, and has been strengthened by a new organization that brings together its 12 research centers in the areas of AI for Health, AI for Industry, AI for Society and Sensors for AI. Specifically, it intends to launch an elaborate program to attract and grow young researchers through a Talent Development and Professional Empowerment program (+50% active agreements with universities and +20% PhDs contributing to Foundation’s projects) and to strengthen synergy with local and national businesses and communities (3 new joint labs with companies and 4 new digital platforms in collaboration with public administration, as well as +50% strategic agreements with national companies and +30% patents and startups).”
Already heavily involved in numerous EC-funded projects and leading IPCEI – Important Projects of Common European Interest – platforms, it aims to play a leading role in some of the Commission’s major programs, such as the Chips Act, EDIC projects, Green Deal, REPowerEU, by increasing applications to European projects (+5%), grants from funded projects (+10%) and participating in at least 2 projects of strategic importance to the European Commission.
Already active on 14 programs under PNRR Mission 4.2 on topics such as Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Science & Technology and Emerging Infectious Diseases, the Foundation plans to acquire new projects (+10%).
Fondazione Bruno Kessler President Ferruccio Resta added:“It is difficult to make a reflection on Artificial Intelligence that will give new visions and content but we are sure about one thing: we must avoid the mistakes made at the time the Internet started and be ready. In fact, thanks to Artificial Intelligence, in the coming years we will see a development of business, new companies and professions as rapid as that one: Fondazione Bruno Kessler, for the skills, knowledge, critical mass and specializations it has, is fully equipped to meet the challenge. The production of a human-centered AI will be our way”.
During the event, President Resta also announced the members of Fondazione Bruno Kessler’s new Scientific Committee: National Institute of Health president Franco Locatelli, Fondazione Telethon CEO Francesca Pasinelli, Marcegaglia Steel Chairman & CEO Antonio Marcegaglia, Politecnico di Milano Chancellor Donatella Sciuto, Lunelli Group CEO and Ferrari Trento President & CEO Matteo Lunelli, former Minister for Technological Innovation and Digital Transition in the Draghi government Vittorio Colao, Deputy Director General of the Bank of Italy Alessandra Perrazzelli.
The speakers at the presentation were: Roberto Viola, Director General for Digital Policies of the European Commission; Silvia Candiani, Vice President of the Microsoft Telecommunications Market; Sergio Dompè, President and CEO of Dompé Farmaceutici; Roberto Tundo, Chief Technology, Innovation & Digital Officer of the FS Group; Marco Tronchetti Provera, Executive Vice President of Pirelli; Guido Bertolaso, Councillor for Health of the Lombardy Region; Lydia Mendola, partner of the law firm Portolano Cavallo; Francesca Sofia, Director General of the Fondazione Cassa Depositi e Prestiti; Achille Spinelli, Councillor for Research of the Autonomous Province of Trento.