New RAISE website section Observatory now online

The new Observatory section of the RAISE website is now online. Developed as part of Spoke 5, the initiative aims to support technology transfer by building an accessible, up-to-date, and shared knowledge base on robotics and artificial intelligence.

The Observatory is designed as a tool to support the innovation ecosystem, offering valuable resources for researchers, businesses, investors, and public decision-makers.
The Observatory is structured around two main pillars, both focused on the production of analyses, studies, and strategic data.

The first pillar, AI & Robotics Monitor, is dedicated to tracking emerging technologies and investment trends in the fields of robotics and AI.
The second pillar, DTS Monitor, focuses on mapping Italian deep tech startups, with particular attention to those operating in high-tech sectors.

The Observatory section also includes two in-depth reports: Chronicles of Artificial Intelligence Investments and Chronicles of Robotics Investments. Both provide an overview of key national and international investment trends, focusing on companies, startups, and investors active in their respective sectors. The full reports offer detailed analyses of the most promising entities and emerging dynamics in the fields of robotics and AI.

The publication of the Observatory section represents a concrete step toward the structured sharing of knowledge and strategic data for the benefit of the entire innovation ecosystem.

By continuously updating its content and exploring relevant topics in depth, the Observatory aims to contribute over time to the dialogue between research, industry, and institutions, fostering greater integration between scientific output and technological development.

The new section is available at this link.

BotBid: a RAISE project of participatory science for the ecological and digital transition

BotBid is an innovative initiative promoted by an interdisciplinary group from the University of Genoa (DISTAV and DIBRIS) within the STACY community, as part of Spoke 5 of the RAISE Ecosystem.

The main focus of the project is biomonitoring, a key activity for assessing environmental health through the analysis of biological indicators. Specifically, BotBid aims to leverage advanced technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and big data to create a monitoring network of agricultural crops within participating schools. This approach offers an innovative integration of science and education, providing students with a concrete learning opportunity.

In practice, the BotBid project involves the creation of school gardens within the participating institutions, with the cultivation of 30 control plants and 30 treated plants. Each school will be equipped with a kit for collecting and transmitting environmental data, allowing the monitoring of various parameters such as temperature, humidity, and soil quality. To support this activity, a dedicated web app has been developed to collect and display data in real time, enabling comparisons between treated and control plants – even between different schools.

The project goes beyond simple data collection, aiming to raise awareness among participants about the importance of interpreting and manipulating scientific data. Students are encouraged to understand the value of the information collected, discuss analysis methodologies, and develop skills in the use of advanced technologies. Through the use of the web app, the gathered data is aggregated and analyzed, helping students better understand ecological phenomena and adopt a scientific approach to environmental monitoring.

The 2025 edition of the project, which kicked off with a series of online meetings and in-person seminars starting in November 2024, involves five upper secondary schools in Liguria and one in Sassari. The data collection phase began in March 2025, utilizing the web app.

“BotBid is a concrete example of how schools can become laboratories of innovation, places where young people can engage with the challenges of the ecological and digital transition using cutting-edge scientific tools. The project not only fosters the acquisition of technical and scientific skills, but also promotes greater awareness of environmental issues, encouraging new generations to care for our planet,” comments Giovanna Guerrini (UniGe – DIBRIS), thanking her colleagues Enrica Roccotiello (UniGe – DISTAV) and Giorgio Delzanno (UniGe – DIBRIS) for their valuable and productive collaboration that made the BotBid project possible.

Special thanks to the Botanical Garden of the University of Genoa and the Service Center for the “Hanbury” Botanical Gardens (GBH&HBG).

Smart decisions: artificial intelligence and traditional businesses at the heart of the RAISE event in Genoa

On Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at 5:30 PM, the event titled “Smart Decisions: Artificial Intelligence at the Service of Traditional Enterprises” was held at Talent Garden Genova. This was the second in-person event of the P2 | BASIC AI & ROBOTICS APPLICATIONS4SMES project, an integral part of the RAISE Training Program, coordinated by Spoke 5.

The event offered insights and tools to understand how artificial intelligence and machine learning can support even the most traditional companies in their path toward modernization. Participants had the opportunity to engage with experts from the tech sector and explore concrete methods of integrating AI into business decision-making processes, with a particular focus on operational efficiency, sustainability, and competitiveness.

The session opened with a presentation by Francesco Cricchio, founder and CEO of Brain Srl, a startup active since 2016, specialized in big data analysis and the application of AI in the financial sector. Cricchio illustrated how, through advanced algorithms, large volumes of data can be transformed into strategic metrics for the fintech sector. The datasets developed by Brain, offered via subscription to investment funds, enable informational advantages over competitors and support more informed investment decisions.

His presentation included practical examples such as the application of generative and analytical AI to financial texts, analysis of commodity flows (such as oil), assessment of loan default risks, and the development of algorithmic trading strategies on gas and thematic securities.

Ecosistema RAISE - Decisioni intelligenti intelligenza artificiale e imprese tradizionali al centro dell’incontro organizzato da Spoke 5

Next, Claudia Peschiera, Senior Software Engineer at FlairBit, delivered a talk focused on the potential of AI applied to IoT systems, giving rise to the concept of AIoT (Artificial Intelligence of Things). She highlighted how this combination can be implemented in key sectors such as advanced industry, healthcare, agriculture, and smart homes, enabling increasingly sophisticated levels of automation, precision, and interconnectivity. In particular, she emphasized the significant growth rate of AI adoption in companies—471% since 2018—which confirms the ongoing expansion of the market and its growing awareness of the strategic value of intelligent technologies.

“This RAISE initiative is truly interesting, and I hope it was constructive for those who participated. It certainly was for me, because alongside Francesco Cricchio, the speaker before me, I had the pleasure of engaging with people who work in my field. I’m very happy I had the opportunity to partecipate” commented Claudia Peschiera at the end of her presentation.

The event concluded with a convivial moment: an informal aperitif that encouraged exchange between speakers and participants, offering a valuable opportunity to delve deeper into the topics discussed, share experiences, and forge new professional connections. The active participation of the audience confirmed the growing interest in artificial intelligence as a transversal driver of development, capable of blending innovation and tradition in the Italian entrepreneurial landscape.

AI and Robotics for SMEs: Success for Spoke 5’s Round Table at RAISE

On April 2, 2025, the round table “AI and Robotics for the Efficiency and Digitalization of SMEs: Perspectives in Comparison” took place at Talent Garden in Genoa. This was the first in-person event of the P2 | BASIC AI & ROBOTICS APPLICATIONS4SMEs project, promoted within the RAISE Training Program and coordinated by Spoke 5.

The meeting provided a valuable opportunity for dialogue between academic experts, entrepreneurs, and startups, aiming to explore the role of artificial intelligence and robotics in small and medium-sized enterprises. The discussion focused on the opportunities and challenges related to adopting these technologies in traditional sectors, highlighting the importance of training and collaboration between established companies and emerging innovative ventures.

The event was structured into two thematic sessions. The first panel, dedicated to the competitive advantages of AI and robotics, featured speakers such as Nicoletta Buratti (University of Genoa), Georgia Cesarone (Start 4.0 and ICT Liguria), and Giorgia Profumo (University of Genoa). The panelists analyzed the potential of these technologies for the industrial sector, emphasizing the need for proper training to support SMEs in adopting innovation.

The second panel focused on knowledge transfer and collaboration opportunities between traditional businesses and startups. Speakers included Daniele Pallavicini (Giovani Confcommercio), Tobia Lorenzani (Comitato Startup Confcommercio), Gabriele Carbone (Giovani Imprenditori CNA Genova), and Stefania Capuzzi (Fair to Share). They highlighted interaction strategies between established enterprises and new businesses to foster shared growth and innovation.

“The technological advancements we are experiencing have a high transformative impact on production and consumption models. This presents great opportunities but also significant risks and challenges for businesses, both in terms of offering new technological applications and in their adoption by companies. Focusing specifically on SMEs—the core topic of this discussion—recent studies depict a complex scenario, where progress and obstacles coexist. Recent research indicates that Italian SMEs have improved their digital culture due to increased investments in digital technologies. However, there are still widespread resistance, especially towards adopting ‘frontier’ technologies, where the benefits are not yet fully understood. More importantly, there is limited awareness of the role these technologies can play in maintaining or renewing the competitive advantage essential for business survival and growth. This is fundamentally a cultural issue that requires a shift in perspective and a commitment to renewing corporate skills. It is crucial to encourage employees to participate in training initiatives like this one, characterized by highly personalized content, flexible learning methods, and expert support to tailor knowledge to specific business contexts,”commented Nicoletta Buratti from UniGe at the event’s conclusion.

The event served as an essential platform for exchange between the academic and business sectors, helping to shape sustainable technology adoption models and fostering stronger synergy between research and industry.

The initiative generated significant interest among participants, reaffirming the central role of artificial intelligence and robotics in SMEs’ digital transformation journey.

Design thinking, from theory to practice, with the first Tool Course of P3 – OFFICINAE RAISE

On March 28, 2025, at 9:00 am, at Talent Garden, Giardini Baltimora 1, the first of the three Tool Courses of the P3 – OFFICINAE RAISE project, an integral part of the RAISE Training Program, coordinated by Spoke 5, was successfully held.

The course included an initial introduction by Nicoletta Buratti (UniGe), Miriam Molinari (IIT, Spoke 5) and Francesco Vitellaro (UniGe), followed by a lesson on Design Thinking, by Danilo Rolle (Creative Lead and Design Manager with experience in agencies, multinationals and start-ups) and Simone Arecco (Digital Products & Experience Design Director of the Global Marketing team of Costa Crociere).

The two teachers presented the importance of seeing the design process as a form of communication, between those who design and those who then use digital services and products. They then highlighted the theme of creating stories and therefore the storytelling techniques.

Design thinking was then presented as an approach and a non-linear method, to generate new ideas and solve problems. Various tools available to creative groups were illustrated, from the ideation phase to the user test phase, with users in real contexts.

After this theoretical and methodological part, Francesco Boano (Chief Technology Officer of Next 14) described some application cases of design thinking in the high-tech sector, with a focus on applications related to artificial intelligence, for example in the shopping sector and the analysis of data on consumer behavior.

The second part of the course was dedicated to a practical design thinking activity. Alessandro Cricchio (CEO of Talent Garden Genova) and Matteo Camia (Founder & CEO of Fancy Factory) introduced the activity on practical cases and the students, divided into teams, received their support in the role of mentor. The activities were also supported by additional experts: Riccardo Prosperi (CFO and Innovation Manager of Talent Garden Genova and co-founder of Boschi Vivi) and Paolo Guria (founder and CEO of UnconventionalMinds).

The various cases were inspired by the needs and technological solutions that emerged within the RAISE project, organized by Spokes.

The course ended at 6 pm, but with the possibility for students to continue working on site in the spaces of Talent Garden Genova.

Introduction to digital transformation and its role in Public Administration: one of the most successful courses of RAISE’s Training Program

Starting from May 2024, the University of Genoa has been offering P5 – AI FOR PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION, one of the training paths included in the RAISE’s Training Program coordinated by Spoke 5 of RAISE.

This training program, primarily designed for public administration employees, features pre-recorded lessons on RAISE’s Aulaweb platform and in-person training sessions. It consists of 3 courses, each with different objectives and target audiences:
– Plan 1 | Basic course open to all public administration employees;
– Plan 2 | Advanced e-leadership course for administrative officers and managers;
– Plan 3 | Advanced e-procurement course for technical staff and administrative officers, with a particular focus on personnel involved in e-procurement and those responsible for the digital transition.

Plan 1 is structured with interactive pre-recorded lessons totaling 10 hours, supplemented with in-person workshops for further study in the Ligurian region.
This course introduces participants to artificial intelligence and robotics in public administration, outlining key principles, practical applications, and organizational, ethical, and legal implications.

The course has received excellent feedback from public employees, attracting 561 participants from various Italian regions and different types of public administrations.

The broad participation – spanning not only Liguria but also Piedmont, Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, Lazio, Abruzzo, Calabria, Sardinia and Sicily – highlights the nationwide relevance of the initiative.

Furthermore, the partecipants represent wide and diverse range of institutions, both central and local, which can be categorized as follows:
– Ministries (Defense, Justice, Research, Agriculture, Interior, etc.);
– Central state agencies and administrations (Revenue Agency, Land Agency, State Attorney’s Office, Court of Auditors, INPS, INAIL, etc.);
– Academic and educational institutions (Universities, CNR, ENEA, Ministry of Education, high schools, etc.);
– Territorial entities (Regions, Provinces, Municipalities, Metropolitan Cities);
– Healthcare facilities (Hospitals, ASL, ALISA);
– Law enforcement and armed forces (Police, Carabinieri, Navy, etc.);
– Cultural institutions (Carlo Felice Theatre Foundation);
– Sports associations (Volleyball League);
– Entities related to Digital Public Administration (Liguria Digitale, Formez PA, etc.);
– Professional orders (Lawyers);
– Additional regional and sectoral entities (Arpal Piedmont, ALFA, Chamber of Commerce, etc.);
– Other entities of various origins (non-public administration).

For 2025, the project coordinator, Prof. Luca Gandullia, and the course manager, Dr. Simona Tirasso, have expressed great satisfaction, emphasizing the critical need, cutting across all professional roles, to train in these subjects in order to perform their jobs more effectively. Acquiring skills in managing emerging technologies that will inevitably become part of daily work is now essential.

The only strategy to tackle this transformation is to invest in continuous and specialized training, delivered by professionals who can guide staff in using innovation and counteracting the obsolescence of skills, which is an increasingly pressing challenge. The success of this project underscores the importance of continuing to offer training programs in this field, which can no longer be considered the domain of IT but must become accessible to all.

For more information on course enrollment, which remains open for all public employees wishing to join in 2025, you can consult the relevant website.

Spoke 5 of RAISE participated in Didacta Italia with a workshop on Innovation and AI

From March 12 to 14, 2025, Didacta Italia, the leading event for educational innovation, took place in Florence at the Fortezza da Basso. As part of the event, on March 14, the workshop “L’innovazione al futuro” was held, organized by the Institute for Educational Technology of the National Research Council (CNR-ITD) within the framework of Program P6 – Basic AI & Robotics Skills for Secondary School of Spoke 5 of RAISE.

The workshop, led by Valeria Piras, Francesca Talamini and Stefania Bocconi, provided a hands-on experience based on futures studies methods, with a particular focus on speculative design. The main objective was to encourage participants to critically and prospectively reflect on the implications of artificial intelligence, a topic of growing relevance in the education sector.

During the session, participants had the opportunity to explore possible future scenarios related to AI through a structured three-phase process. The first phase, “Exploration,” introduced the context and objectives of the activity. In the “Problematization” phase, participants interacted with custom-designed GPT models, using them to develop micro-scenarios on the possible evolution of artificial intelligence.

The initiative, curated by CNR-ITD and coordinated by Stefania Bocconi, was part of the broader research and experimentation program of Spoke 5 of RAISE, which aims to promote basic AI and robotics skills in secondary schools.

Lo Spoke 5 di RAISE partecipa a Didacta Italia con un workshop su innovazione e AI

“Didacta is always a valuable opportunity to engage with teachers and school administrators. During the event, we presented and tested together the InspAIr lab methodology, developed within the RAISE project, receiving great interest and extremely positive feedback. This experience not only allowed us to showcase the RAISE project but also to secure concrete commitments: eight schools from different regions of Italy have expressed their desire to participate in the InspAIr lab’s experimental phase, scheduled for September. This exchange has thus given us the opportunity to expand the project’s reach beyond the borders of Liguria. Participating in Didacta has been an enriching experience, strengthening RAISE’s journey and fostering new connections between the research community and the education system. We are excited to see how these synergies can contribute to making educational innovation a central element in the development of the project!” commented Dr. Valeria Piras at the end of the event.

Participation in Didacta Italia represented an important opportunity to disseminate innovative methodologies and stimulate a dialogue on the future of education, reaffirming CNR-ITD’s commitment to developing advanced educational approaches to tackle the challenges of the digital era.

Lo Spoke 5 di RAISE partecipa a Didacta Italia con un workshop su innovazione e AI

Spoke 5 at the International Conference “ESERA SIG 8 FUTURES-oriented Science Education”

From February 27 to March 1, 2025, the International Conference “ESERA SIG 8 FUTURES-oriented Science Education” took place in Bologna, an event of great importance for science education.

The meeting provided an opportunity to explore the integration of future studies in science teaching, bringing together experts from all over the world.

Among the participants, a group of researchers from the CNR Institute for Educational Technologies, involved in the “P6 – BASIC AI & ROBOTICS SKILLS FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL (STACY)” project, presented a paper titled “InspAIr: Fostering Critical and Sustainable Digital Innovation in STEAM Education”.

Researchers Stefania Bocconi, Valeria Piras and Francesca Talamini showcased the activities of the STACY project, focusing on the INSPAIR workshop, which is currently in its experimental phase. The workshop aims to promote students’ critical and creative thinking, preparing the new generations to face future challenges in a digitally and technologically advanced world.

STACY is one of the training projects of RAISE Spoke 5, an initiative aimed at developing artificial intelligence and robotics skills in secondary schools. The INSPAIR workshop attracted significant interest, highlighting the importance of an educational approach that combines innovation, sustainability, and the development of critical skills.

The conference focused on the importance of integrating future studies into science education. In an era marked by rapid transformations and global challenges, the need for an education that goes beyond mere knowledge transmission emerged, aiming to develop students’ critical thinking and awareness of the risks associated with technological advancements. In this context, future studies are seen as essential tools to prepare students to navigate an increasingly complex and uncertain world.

The conference also highlighted the growing international awareness of the value of future studies in education, particularly for the development of critical thinking, which is crucial for navigating a world dominated by artificial intelligence and digitalization.

The presentation by the Spoke 5 researchers contributed to consolidating this recognition, emphasizing the importance of an education that encourages reflection on the future and technological sustainability.

RAISE up 2: the inaugural webinar of the second edition

On March 10, 2025, the webinar “RAISE up 2: Mentorship & Community in a Shared Journey” took place, marking the launch of the second edition of the RAISE up Mentorship Program.

Promoted by Spoke 5 of RAISE Liguria, with the support of PwC Italy and I3P – Incubator of the Politecnico di Torino, the event provided an opportunity to meet the selected teams and learn about the initiatives in the program, emphasizing the value of being part of the RAISE up community.

The event began with an overview of the strategic objectives of the RAISE project and the main activities of the first edition of the mentorship program. It was a chance to revisit key moments of the first edition and understand the impact the program had on the startups and SMEs involved.

In particular, Lorenzo Landolfi and Andrea Senacheribbe, members of the InSEGNO team, shared their experience from the first edition of RAISEup, offering valuable advice and useful insights to participants of the second edition.

The importance of the RAISE up community was also emphasized, as it offers participants numerous advantages, including access to advanced technologies, networking, specialized skills, and opportunities for collaboration with external partners. The Company Innovation Survey was also introduced, a tool designed to assess the innovation maturity of SMEs and facilitate the collection of best practices.

The inaugural webinar then featured the presentation of the 13 teams selected for the second edition of RAISE up, who will have the opportunity to participate in strategic events designed to support them at different stages of their development.

The event calendar represents opportunities for growth and interaction with experts and community members, fostering learning and skill development.

In conclusion, the second edition of the RAISE up Program proves to be a valuable opportunity for the participating startups and SMEs, providing them with the necessary tools to innovate, grow, and become part of a dynamic and supportive community.

Published the ranking of candidates admitted to P3 – OFFICINAE RAISE 2024/2025

The University of Genoa has published the ranking for participation in the P3 | OFFICINAE RAISE program for the academic year 2024/2025, coordinated by Spoke 5 of RAISE and aimed at students with a strong interest in entrepreneurship, innovation, and robotics.

Candidates were selected based on criteria related to their academic background, relevant experiences, and innovative proposals submitted.

40 candidates have been admitted with RAISE funding, while additional spots are available for participants without RAISE funding, who will still have access to the courses and Bootcamps at their own expense.

For more information on the ranking P3 | OFFICINAE RAISE, please visit this link.

Finaziato dall'Unione Europea Ministero dell'Università e della Ricerca Italia Domani Raise