Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo and AI4I – Italian Institute of Artificial Intelligence for Industry sign a strategic agreement for the enhancement of advanced scientific research and for the creation of a high innovation center that will have a significant impact both locally and nationally: thus the Compagnia di San Paolo Institute for Advanced Study was born.

A new reality that will be based within the OGR Torino, at the AI4I headquarters, and which is designed to attract experienced and talented international researchers, to stimulate cooperation between fundamental research and industry, to foster progress in the field of artificial intelligence and its industrial applications and, last but not least, to create a development center that enhances the innovative system of the territory on a national scale, at the service of the advanced artificial intelligence network and its reference poles.

The project is part of the new strategic lines of the Compagnia di San Paolo Foundation, within the “Enhancing research” mission of the Planet Objective, with the aim of promoting synergy between academic and industrial research, supporting the development of cutting-edge skills in Italy.

Specifically, the Compagnia di San Paolo Institute for Advanced Study will start its activities in four main areas of action:

• Attracting international experts and enhancing the centrality of the AI4I ecosystem
• Collaboration between academic and industrial research to create advanced solutions in the field of artificial intelligence, robotics and aerospace
• Increased networking opportunities for researchers and businesses
• Promotion of high-quality education through the organisation of seminars, workshops and doctoral programmes

The IAS CSP will have a shared governance, which provides for the establishment of a Strategic Committee composed of representatives of the two Foundations, and an Advisory Board that will ensure a broad involvement of international experts. The Institute will be a catalyst for advanced research, with activities focused on artificial intelligence, robotics and aerospace, in line with the desire to promote ethical and sustainable technological solutions.

Marco Gilli, Chairman of the Compagnia di San Paolo Foundation, said: “With the Compagnia di San Paolo Institute for Advanced Study, we aim to increase the visibility and reputation of the AI for Industry Foundation, creating an attractive ecosystem that fosters cooperation with talented experts and researchers from the most prestigious academic and industrial research and development centers internationally. The IAS CSP was born in a logic aimed not only at the territory, but is designed to become a point of reference for the country, and to strengthen relations between Italian centers focused on AI and Big Data. Looking ahead, we will continue to support the competitiveness of the territory and the country by planning further interventions to support AI4I, through advanced training courses and technology transfer initiatives”.

Fabio Pammolli, President of AI4I, commented: “The support of the Compagnia di San Paolo Foundation allows us to establish the Institute for Advanced Study, supporting the attraction of researchers and scientists from all over the world. The partnership with the Company allows AI4I to consolidate its role as the Italian Institute of Artificial Intelligence for Industry, combining research and training of qualified human capital. Very important, in this perspective, will be the construction, on these bases and also thanks to the collaboration that AI4I has built with Cineca for the Italian AI Factory, of an open ecosystem, at the service of research and higher education“.

Francesco Ubertini, President of Cineca, added: “In the current context of rapid and disruptive digital transformation, one of the main challenges we face is the development of the skills necessary to generate continuous innovation. Attracting high-level international researchers and, at the same time, cultivating young talents is a crucial element in strengthening the competitiveness of the territory and the country. In this scenario, the birth of the Institute is clearly a great opportunity for everyone“.

This alliance will take the form of an economic commitment of 4 million euros for the four-year period 2025-2028 by the Compagnia di San Paolo Foundation, with the aim of strengthening the capacity for scientific innovation and technology transfer in key sectors for the development of the local and national economy. In addition, the institute will be the hub for attracting young researchers and visiting professors, creating a continuous flow of knowledge and innovation between universities, startups, SMEs and large companies.

The agreement between the Foundation and AI4I was born with the intention of putting into practice an open science & innovation model, which includes talent-matching initiatives and training opportunities for young people that can generate technology transfer actions until they reach the heart of companies. A central objective will be to encourage the creation of research and collaboration networks at national and international level, with particular attention to the centrality of the Turin and Italian territory in the global innovation landscape.

The inauguration of the Institute marks a new step for Turin and for Italy, which will be able to count on a platform capable of relaunching competitiveness and innovation in the technological and scientific fields at a global level.

(Source: Compagnia di San Paolo Foundation press release)