Artificial Intelligence is set to be the leading enabling technology at least until 2060. In Europe and Italy, the system of infrastructure, research, and funding is still evolving, but it already offers significant development opportunities, also thanks to European programmes such as RAISE, which mobilise substantial resources. For the Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering of Politecnico di Milano (DEIB), securing and leveraging these funds is a strategic priority.
At the European level, the ELLIS network represents a key reference point for foundational AI, and the Department actively participates in it, with the aim of strengthening its scientific leadership both in Italy and across Europe. It is also involved in the FAIR Foundation and supports initiatives such as AI4I, which are geared towards the development of industrial AI applications.
To address growing global competition, it is necessary to enhance synergies among PhD programmes, postdoctoral research, and collaborations with industry, attract international talent, and improve strategic positioning and scientific communication. At the same time, it is essential to monitor new European initiatives, such as Frontier AI, and consolidate the Department’s presence in key areas such as generative AI, foundation models, and AI regulation.
Finally, on the technology transfer front, it is crucial to adopt shared strategies and make the most of platforms and centres of excellence such as AIRIC, the AI Observatory, Cefriel, and MADE 4.0, in order to foster the tangible impact of research on the industrial system.