The “AI-TN” project – Artificial Intelligence at Trento is here

The relevance and potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is now recognized and the use of its approaches is widespread in many sectors such as industry 4.0, digital agriculture, digital finance, but also in health and healthcare, services to people and public administration, smart cities. The new scenarios are increasingly permeated by approaches capable of synergistically combining different methodologies, technologies, disciplines and skills, even in sectors not directly connected to the technology industry. Many of the global challenges, which are policy objectives for the coming years, will also need to be addressed through AI. Addressing these challenges will be possible through the initiation of research experiences that will combine traditional ones. Today’s needs, and those of the future, are in fact aimed at AI systems capable of understanding people and making themselves understood by people, able to balance autonomy and interaction. Responsible, trustworthy and human centric AI.

“The Trentino Research and Innovation System, thanks to the important role of FBK and the University of Trento, and with the contribution of companies and public institutions, has the skills and the will to play a key role. It is therefore of vital importance to allocate a specific additional investment to this new AI research and development direction as a project shared between the actors of the system and coordinated by Fondazione Bruno Kessler, which also investing in talented youths (PhD students and postdocs) on joint projects, can also contribute together with the skills of the University of Trento to strengthen the positioning of our Region in scientific and technological challenges. Challenges that emerge as priorities in the current scenario and are further emphasized in the major European and national funding programs, both on issues closest to the market and on the social impact of these technologies” PAT councilor Achille Spinelli assured.

These activities, also investing in young talents (PhD students and postdocs) on joint and synergistic projects between Fondazione Bruno Kessler and the University of Trento, will focus on frontier applications both at a technological, psychological, ethical and social level. In fact, it is necessary not only for AI to be reliable and verifiable but also to be available for the most critical applications for people and society. The 1,2 million euro funding from the Autonomous Province of Trento will receive assistance and additional funding by FBK and the University of Trento, through the skills of its expert researchers and faculty who will act as mentors and support young researchers in their projects and growth paths along these lines of research.

The goal is to support the application activities and skills of FBK and the University of Trento around the emerging issues in artificial intelligence and the positioning of Trentino on these issues, also in view of the participation of the provincial research and innovation system in calls promoted by the Ministry of University and Research that will provide substantial funding under the National Plan for Recovery and Resilience (PNRR).

A launch event will be organized for the initiative promoted by the Autonomous Province of Trento and Fondazione Bruno Kessler in collaboration with the University of Trento early this year.