On October 24, 2025, the Sala delle Donne at Palazzo Ducale hosted the round table “The RAISE Ecosystem and the Visions of Tomorrow – Emerging Technologies and Shared Knowledge to Improve the Present and Imagine the Future”, as part of the Genoa Science Festival. The event explored the value of collaboration between research, innovation, and society.
The event, introduced by Cristina Battaglia, Programme Manager of RAISE, and Carlo Ferdeghini, President of the Scientific Council of the Genoa Science Festival, brought together five leading voices from the project — Silvia Biasotti (Spoke 1, CNR–IMATI), Giulia Bodo (Spoke 2, IIT – Rehab Technologies), Elisa Costa (Spoke 3, CNR–IAS), Francesca Garaventa (Spoke 4, CNR–IAS), and Simona Tirasso (Spoke 5, University of Genoa) — moderated by Daniele Chieffi, journalist, essayist, and expert in strategic communication.
The discussion offered the audience an in-depth look at the work of the five Spokes that make up the RAISE Ecosystem — a major innovation laboratory focused on inclusive and accessible cities, advanced healthcare, environmental protection, sustainable port management, and training for public administration. This mosaic of expertise demonstrates how technology can deliver tangible benefits for people, improve quality of life, and strengthen the sustainability of local communities.
Silvia Biasotti, Research Director at the CNR Institute of Applied Mathematics and Information Technologies “E. Magenes,” presented the work of Spoke 1, which integrates mathematical modeling, artificial intelligence, and data analysis to create digital twins.
“Our work,” she explained, “focuses on developing three-dimensional representations of the city and its citizens to better understand urban dynamics and design data-driven solutions. The future of RAISE is born from this synergy among universities, IIT, CNR, businesses, and local institutions — a value that will continue to foster shared innovation and collaboration.”
Representing Spoke 2, Giulia Bodo, postdoctoral researcher at the Italian Institute of Technology’s Rehab Technologies Lab, focused on rehabilitation robotics and human–machine interaction.
“Working in RAISE has allowed me to collaborate closely with many clinicians and to gather ideas for future developments,” she said. “Clinical trials with partner hospitals — Galliera, Gaslini, and FISM — have helped us transform sensor signals into metrics that physicians can use to assess patients’ progress. Our goal is to design technologies increasingly centered on people and their real needs.”
Elisa Costa, researcher at CNR–IAS and coordinator of Spoke 3, explored the theme of ecorobotics and environmental monitoring. “The technologies developed within RAISE have enhanced monitoring strategies by integrating robotics and artificial intelligence to analyze air, water, and soil with greater precision. These tools strengthen early warning systems and serve as valuable resources for environmental protection.”
For Spoke 4, Francesca Garaventa, senior researcher at CNR–IAS, presented initiatives aimed at promoting the sustainable transition of ports. “The Port of Genoa plays a crucial economic and social role,” she noted. “Our research aims to align regulatory needs with technologies that make port operations safer and more sustainable. RAISE has contributed to the development of exceptional technological and human capital, which will continue to generate value for both the region and the country.”
Simona Tirasso, research fellow at the University of Genoa and consultant for P5 | AI for Public Administration, addressed the theme of training as a driver of innovation.
“Through RAISE, I’ve understood the importance of teamwork and building collaborative networks,” she explained. “New models of education must bring people closer to knowledge and foster ongoing curiosity. The sustainability of the ecosystem also depends on this — on the ability to cultivate skills that evolve alongside technology.”
Concluding the discussion, moderator Daniele Chieffi highlighted the social impact of research: “RAISE is a success story because it has managed to translate science into real transformation, improving everyday life and creating a horizon of progress for everyone.”
The round table reaffirmed RAISE’s vision as an ecosystem capable of integrating diverse disciplines and perspectives into a shared path — a platform that unites technology, knowledge, and participation to build, today, the visions of tomorrow.
