On December 11, 2024, the HighESt Lab (High Education and Statistics Laboratory), a new center of excellence dedicated to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Big Data, was inaugurated in Turin. Located at the Department of Economics and Statistics “Cognetti de Martiis” of the University of Turin, the laboratory was born from the collaboration with important technological partners such as Oracle, Technology Reply and Tim Enterprise, and also involves the Polytechnic of Turin and RivistaAI.

The laboratory aims to transform AI from a simple efficiency technology to an engine of opportunities, creating positive and lasting effects for society, the economy and the environment. The Minister of University and Research, Anna Maria Bernini, underlined the importance of the project: “Artificial intelligence is a reality that we cannot ignore. HighESt Lab is a concrete response to the need to network, bringing together academic resources, research and partner companies in an integrated team that includes students”.

A multidisciplinary and collaborative approach

At the HighESt Lab, academics, students and professionals in the sector work side by side, with the aim of developing academic and applied research projects. At the heart of the laboratory is a unique combination of technological, economic, social and environmental expertise, thanks to which research can be quickly translated into practical applications.

In particular, the laboratory actively collaborates with the Directorate of Information Systems of the University of Turin, to integrate research activities with scalable and sustainable solutions.

A key role is played by Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), which provides a secure and efficient platform for training and inferring Generative AI (GenAI) models. As highlighted by Andrea Sinopoli, vice president of Oracle Italy, “partnerships with companies like Nvidia allow us to offer cutting-edge technologies for training large language models”.

Ongoing projects

The HighESt Lab is already working on several innovative projects:

• Virtual assistants to facilitate scientific production and support students in activities such as the Erasmus program and the management of European calls.
• Training solutions to enhance the skills of students and professionals.
• Application of AI to the restoration of cultural heritage, demonstrating how innovation can meet tradition.
• Reduction of gender bias through Generative AI, to support equality in companies and promote inclusive and innovative business models.

These projects are complemented by unconventional research trajectories that explore new ways to use AI in creating economic and social value.

AI for the future of work

Another central objective of the HighESt Lab is to reduce the mismatch between supply and demand in the world of work, integrating technological skills and enhancing the talents of young students. Enrica Danese, TIM’s Director of Corporate Communication & Sustainability, underlined the importance of collaboration between universities and companies: “We put our technologies at the service of the laboratory to develop tools such as the Virtual Tutor, an AI-based assistant that will improve students’ study paths.”

The director of the Department of Economics and Statistics, Elisabetta Ottoz, added: “AI is a paradigm shift on all fronts. To face the great technological challenges, the contribution of all skills is needed, to balance risks and opportunities in favor of positive results for the community”.

Training and concrete impact

Led by director Paola Pisano, an expert in Economics of Innovation, the HighESt Lab aims to make both the training courses and the research capacity of professors excellent. Pisano said: “Thanks to our partners we can support companies in adopting AI to gain a competitive and lasting advantage”.

Francesco Coccia, partner at Technology Reply, highlighted how academic rigor is combined with industrial experience to develop practical applications: “We work to transform research into concrete solutions, such as the optimization of administrative and academic processes.”

A laboratory for the future

The HighESt Lab represents a significant step for Turin, consolidating its role as the capital of innovation and Artificial Intelligence in Italy. Thanks to the synergy between academic research and industry, the laboratory not only addresses technological challenges, but builds a bridge to a more inclusive and sustainable future.