Spoke 5 Eng

On Wednesday, June 4, 2025, in the Graduation Hall of the Department of Economics at the University of Genoa – Darsena Campus – the P3 | Officinae RAISE Boot Camp officially began. This training initiative is aimed at graduate and PhD students and focuses on entrepreneurial innovation applied to artificial intelligence and robotics.

The opening day featured remarks from Nicoletta Buratti, Associate Professor of Business Economics and Management at the University of Genoa and coordinator of the Spoke 5 RAISE Training Plan, and Giorgia Profumo, Director of the Department of Economics. Both speakers welcomed the participants and emphasized the central role of this initiative in providing advanced training and strengthening the connection between academia and the local production system.

The Officinae RAISE project aims to equip participants with knowledge and tools to develop innovative, sustainable, and technology-driven business ideas. The program is designed to enhance strategic, communication, and persuasive skills, helping students create practical solutions that respond to real market needs.

In her introductory speech, Nicoletta Buratti highlighted how this final phase of the program marks the most immersive and hands-on experience for the participants:
“The P3 project has reached its final stage: three intensive days where students will work in teams on real business cases. The collaboration with Confindustria Imperia (represented by Director Dr. Paolo Della Pietra) and with Dr. Elena Sparago (who acted as a liaison between the RAISE team and local businesses) enriched the project, allowing academic training to meet real territorial needs. Participants are tasked with proposing robotics- and AI-based solutions to tackle concrete business challenges. This is a valuable opportunity to bring the academic and industrial worlds closer together, and we hope this type of initiative will become ongoing and systemic”.

Following this, Simone Valorani, Head of Strategy & Operations at Scientifica Venture Capital, presented Scientifica’s approach — a venture capital fund active in pre-seed, seed, and early-stage investments, focused on high-tech projects. He explained how the fund selects high-potential ideas emerging from scientific research, operating in sectors such as advanced manufacturing and materials, artificial intelligence, and quantum technologies. Scientifica invests at the earliest stage of innovation, aiming to turn promising insights and discoveries into companies capable of generating industrial and social impact. His presentation set the stage for the next part of the boot camp: the introduction of the business needs and the start of the practical work phase.

At the conclusion of his talk, the companies involved in the project – in collaboration with Scientifica and Talent Garden Genova – presented their “Corporate Needs”: real-world challenges related to the adoption of AI and robotics-based solutions, which the participants would tackle in teams. This was followed by team formation and the distribution of assignments, which will be the core focus of the following days.

In her closing remarks, Giorgia Profumo highlighted the strategic value of the initiative for the university: “Officinae RAISE is aimed at our students who want to develop entrepreneurial skills tied to digital transformation. It acts as a bridge between academic knowledge and the productive world, reinforcing a vital connection for the competitiveness of our economic system. We’re especially pleased to see so many students from the Department of Economics eager to engage with technologies like AI and robotics and apply them in real business contexts”.

At the end of the morning, participants received their project materials and gathered in their working groups, ready to take on three days of challenge, collaboration, and innovative idea development.

Filippo, one of the participants, expressed his excitement: “We finally get to take on real challenges. Talking with professionals and working in groups on practical problems gives us huge added value. It’s an intense experience that also allows us to build relationships and really live this training journey.”

With its official launch on June 4, the Officinae RAISE Boot Camp has opened a significant opportunity for dialogue between academia and industry, continuing through June 5 and 6 with the development of project work and final presentations.

On June 3rd, the official presentation of the educational project P4 – Basics AI & Robotics Skills at University Level took place at the Sala delle Lauree of the University of Genoa, in Via Balbi 2. Developed by Spoke 5 of the RAISE initiative as part of the RAISE Liguria training program, the event provided an important opportunity to showcase new educational offerings dedicated to digital citizenship and emerging technological competencies.

The event was introduced by Fabrizio Bracco, Rector’s Delegate for Teaching Innovation and Faculty Development at the University of Genoa, and Miriam Molinari, researcher at the Italian Institute of Technology and representative of Spoke 5 of RAISE. Both speakers emphasized the importance of providing inclusive and cross-disciplinary educational pathways capable of supporting both students and citizens in the ongoing digital transformation.

Guest of honor and keynote speaker was Professor Luca Pietrantoni, Full Professor of Work and Organizational Psychology at the University of Bologna. His lecture, titled Artificial Intelligence in Organizations: Hybrid Teams and New Skills, offered an in-depth reflection on the integration of AI and robotics in organizational contexts. Professor Pietrantoni explored current trends in digitalization, introduced interpretive models for human-AI collaboration, and presented data and case studies drawn from major European research projects.

The program continued with a roundtable discussion titled “Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and the Future of Work”, moderated by Luca Gandullia, Associate Professor of Public Finance at the Department of Political Science, University of Genoa. The discussion featured contributions from Fabrizio Bracco, Simona Tirasso (research fellow and consultant for RAISE), Enrico Botte (Vice President of the IT Section at Confindustria Genova), and Mattia Rossi (President of Legacoop Liguria). The debate touched on the transformation of the labor market, emerging educational needs, and the vital role of cooperation between academia, industry, and public administration.

During the event, the structure of the P4 course program was presented. It consists of more than thirty thematic modules focusing on key applications of robotics and artificial intelligence. The courses are delivered online in asynchronous mode and are offered free of charge through the RAISE Aulaweb platform. They are primarily intended for students from all University of Genoa degree programs but are also open to the general public. The entire training path lasts twenty-five hours and is divided into didactic instruction, interactive exercises, and self-directed learning based on curated materials such as articles, videos, and recommended online resources.
Upon completion of the course, participants receive an Open Badge certifying the competencies acquired. Students enrolled at the University of Genoa are also awarded one university credit (CFU), which can be included among the additional credits in their study plan.

“The P4 project by RAISE represents a truly valuable and timely opportunity to strengthen digital skills and to understand how robotics and artificial intelligence can influence our lives at every level. It’s not about acquiring specialized technical expertise, but rather about developing foundational knowledge that allows for a more critical and conscious approach to technologies that will increasingly shape our daily lives. I believe this is one of the university’s fundamental missions: to educate citizens who are equipped to engage with the present with clarity and responsibility,” commented Professor Fabrizio Bracco at the close of the event.

For more information, please visit the dedicated webpage or write to formazione.raise@unige.it.

On May 8, the third in-person meeting of the P2 | BASIC AI & ROBOTICS APPLICATIONS4SMEs project took place. The initiative, an integral part of the RAISE Training Program, coordinated by Spoke 5, aims to support local small and medium-sized enterprises in adopting advanced technologies, with a particular focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics.

The event, centered on the theme “AI and Machine Learning in Service of SME Customer Engagement”, provided an important opportunity for discussion on the growing role that AI and Machine Learning are playing in reshaping marketing, communication, and customer engagement strategies in an increasingly data-driven and hyper-personalized market.
Following participant registration and introductory remarks, two industry experts delivered talks, sharing practical experiences and case studies.

The first speaker was Francesco Boano, Chief Technology Officer at Next Different, a company formed from the merger between Different – one of Italy’s leading players in creativity, events, research, and PR – and Next14, a leader in data-driven media planning and strategy services. Boano highlighted how the advanced use of data, combined with the development of digital platforms, enables the creation of effective and targeted communication, based on a deep understanding of audiences.

Next, Francesco Caruso – CEO and founder of Mallei – presented an innovative operational approach to support SMEs in commercial expansion. His strategy includes the strategic profiling of prospects, the creation of customized databases, the optimization of digital channels, and the structured management of targeted outreach. His presentation offered a practical example of how well-integrated technology can generate real business value and new market opportunities.

The event concluded with a networking aperitif, which facilitated direct exchanges between participants and speakers, fostering a collaborative atmosphere and the sharing of experiences.

The meeting marked a significant milestone in promoting a culture of innovation among Ligurian SMEs, contributing to the development of a regional ecosystem increasingly prepared to face the challenges of digital transformation.

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.