As the Artificial Intelligence (AI) laboratory,
our goal is to be at the forefront of research and education in this field,
while also fostering strong relationships with industry partners.
To achieve this, we envisage the following strategic plan.
Establish research priorities: We will identify key areas of AI and Data Science research that align with our faculty’s mission and that have the potential to have a significant impact on society. These priorities, together with our already developed research strengths, will guide our research activities and funding decisions. We include key areas related to the foundations and in the applications of AI and Data Science, mainly from the computer science, computer engineering, and mathematics disciplines, but also from linguistics, philosophy, cognitive psychology.
Build a strong research team: We will recruit and retain top talent in the field of AI and Data Science by offering a competitive working environment, high moral standards, and a relaxed atmosphere, as well as providing opportunities for professional development and collaboration. We will prioritize creating a culture of inclusivity and respect, where all team members feel valued and supported. We will also partner with top universities and research institutes to identify promising young researchers and provide them with opportunities to work on exciting projects, and to enable knowledge exchange and accelerate research progress.
Disseminate research findings: We will actively disseminate our research findings through publications, conferences, and other outlets to share our work with the broader scientific community, the local companies, and the public. We will prioritise publishing our research findings in high-impact academic journals and presenting our work at major conferences and symposia in the field of AI and Data Science. These activities will help to establish the AI laboratory as a thought leader in the field and enable our researchers to share their insights and expertise with other scientists and practitioners. In addition to academic publications and conferences, we will also explore other outlets for sharing its research with the broader scientific community, local companies, and the public. This may include producing white papers, blog posts, and social media content that summarise the department’s research findings and their implications. We will also host public lectures and workshops to engage with local businesses, community groups, and other stakeholders. The dissemination strategy reflects a commitment to sharing the research findings with the wider community and promoting the development and application of AI technologies for the benefit of society. By engaging with other researchers, practitioners, and stakeholders, we aim to build networks of collaboration and accelerate the adoption of AI technologies in a responsible and ethical manner.
Foster collaboration: We will actively seek out partnerships and collaborations with other research institutions, industry partners, third sector organisations, and government agencies to share resources and expertise, and to accelerate the pace of innovation. To achieve this goal, we will adopt a proactive approach to identifying and cultivating partnerships and collaborations with a range of stakeholders. This will include reaching out to other research institutions and industry partners that are working on related areas of AI and Data Science research. Through these partnerships, we will seek to share resources, expertise, and data, and to identify new areas of research and development that can advance the field of AI. In addition to academic and industry partners, we will also seek out collaborations with third sector organisations and government agencies. These collaborations may take the form of joint research projects, technology transfer agreements, or other forms of knowledge exchange. By engaging with these stakeholders, we aim to ensure that our research is aligned with broader societal goals and priorities, and that it is contributing to the development of AI technologies that are ethical, responsible, and sustainable. To support these partnership and collaboration efforts, we will invest, through the AI laboratory, in resources and personnel dedicated to relationship-building and partnership development. This may include hiring dedicated staff members to manage partnerships and collaborations, or establishing an advisory board composed of representatives from academia, industry, government, and civil society to provide guidance and oversight. Our partnership and collaboration strategy reflects a recognition that AI research and development is a complex, multi-disciplinary field that requires input and expertise from a range of stakeholders. By actively seeking out partnerships and collaborations with a diverse array of organisations and individuals, we aim to accelerate the pace of innovation and make meaningful contributions to the development of AI and Data Science technologies that can benefit society as a whole. With this goal in mind, we will adhere to the goals set up by the Smart Specialisation Strategy (RIS3) of the Autonomous Province of Bozen-Bolzano, as specified in the document “Innovazione e Ricerca Alto Adige 2030”, in the specialisation area “Automation and Digital – Smart Processing”.
Develop and nurture industry partnerships: We will actively seek out and develop partnerships with industry leaders and startups to encourage the adoption and scaling of AI and Data Science technologies developed in our laboratory, and to provide opportunities for our researchers and students to work on real-world problems. To achieve this goal, we will develop a comprehensive industry engagement strategy that aims to establish and maintain relationships with a range of industry partners, from established leaders in the field to emerging startups. We will actively seek out partnerships with companies that have a strong interest in AI and Data Science technologies, and will work to understand their specific needs and challenges. Through these partnerships, we will seek to promote the adoption and scaling of AI and Data Science technologies developed within the laboratory. This may involve collaborating with industry partners to develop new products or services, or providing consultancy services to help companies integrate AI and Data Science technologies into their existing operations. We will also prioritise providing opportunities for its researchers and students to work on real-world problems, by engaging with industry partners on research projects and internships. This will enable researchers and students to gain practical experience working on real-world challenges, while also providing valuable insights and expertise to industry partners.
Set up an AI competence centre: We will invest in the necessary infrastructure, such as computational resources and data storage, and managing personnel to build an AI competence centre, The key the aim of the proposed AI competence centre is to aggregate the existing academic expertise in AI and Data Science methodologies at the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano (notably intelligent data management, data and process mining, machine learning and computer vision, logic-based and semantic methods, foundational methods for AI and Data Science) and to bridge the gap between academic excellence and the needs of the local industry, services, and public administration. The proposed competence centre will benefit from the synergy with the divisions and laboratories of the new Faculty of Engineering, the other UniBZ faculties, the local research centres (EURAC, Laimburg Research Centre, Fraunhofer Institute, Covision Lab, etc.), the NOI Techpark, and the extensive national and international academic collaborations that are already existing within the University. The AI competence centre will provide a comprehensive range of services based on AI and Data Science, including consultancies, knowledge transfer, feasibility studies, training offers to foster responsible AI innovation for take-up by the local environment and scale-up of the local SMEs.
Promote diversity and inclusion: We will make a concerted effort to recruit, retain and promote under-represented groups in AI and Data Science, and to create a culture that is inclusive and respectful of all people. We will work to create a culture that is inclusive and respectful of all people: this may involve establishing mechanisms for addressing and preventing discriminatory behaviour and bias. Our diversity and inclusion strategy reflects a commitment to promoting a culture that is inclusive and respectful of all people, and to creating opportunities for individuals from underrepresented groups to contribute to the field of AI. By adopting policies and practices that support diversity and inclusion, the laboratory aims to promote innovation, creativity, and excellence in its research, while also contributing to broader societal goals of equity and justice.
Encourage responsible AI: We will promote guidelines for the responsible use of AI, such as ethical considerations, privacy, and safety. This will help ensure that AI is developed and used in ways that align with social and ethical values. We will promote transparency in AI development and use by making AI systems and their underlying algorithms open and auditable; this will allow researchers and the public to better understand how AI systems work and to identify potential biases or other issues. We will establish accountability mechanisms to ensure that those responsible for the development and use of AI systems are held accountable for any harms or negative impacts that result from their use. By investing in education and training programs we will promote awareness of responsible AI practices among developers, users, and the public. We will also emphasise, as proposed by the Vienna Manifesto on Digital Humanism, the importance of a human-centred approach to technology development, which prioritises collaboration and interdisciplinary research, and seeks to bridge the gap between traditional humanities research and digital methods.
Stay updated with the latest AI technologies and trends: The laboratory will provide opportunities for continuous education and training to its researchers to stay updated with the latest AI and Data Science technologies and trends, by providing funding to attend relevant conferences and events. The laboratory will promote working with industry partners to identify emerging trends, collaborating with other academic institutions to conduct joint research, and participating in research networks and consortia. We will develop a strategic plan that includes regular reviews of the research priorities to ensure they align with the latest AI research, technologies, and trends. This could involve establishing a research agenda that is flexible enough to adapt to changing technological and societal trends.
Enhance AI education: We will promote a sustainable comprehensive AI and Data Science education program that includes undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate level courses. The paths of study will be designed, in cooperation with the divisions of the faculty, to cover the fundamental concepts and techniques of AI and Data Science, but also courses on ethics and responsible AI, and interdisciplinary courses that cover AI and Data Science applications beyond the STEM area, in fields such as healthcare, finance, and social sciences.
We will provide support for students to enhance their AI and Data Science skills, including access to state-of-the-art technology and infrastructure, research opportunities, internships, and mentorship programs. We will encourage students to participate in AI-related competitions and hackathons to gain practical experience and apply their knowledge.
We will establish partnerships with industry partners to ensure that the curriculum reflects the latest AI technologies and trends and to provide students with opportunities for real-world experience. This will involve collaborating with industry partners to develop and deliver courses, providing internships and job opportunities, and participating in joint research projects.
We will regularly review and update the AI- and Data Science-related curricula to ensure that it remains up-to-date with the latest technologies and trends. This will involve soliciting feedback from students, faculty, and industry partners, as well as tracking the latest developments in AI research and technology.
Teaching Computer Science and Computer Engineering: We will cooperate with the divisions of the faculty to create, manage, and lecture on the current and future undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate level courses and degrees in the general area of computer science and computer engineering.
Provide training: We will provide training programs on artificial intelligence for companies, public bodies, and third sector organisations, by offering a range of courses and workshops that cover the latest developments in AI and Data Science technology and its applications. The training can be tailored to suit the specific needs of each organisation, and may include topics such as machine learning, data modelling, preparation and analytics, and computer vision. Through this training, we aim to help harness the power of AI to drive innovation and transform their processes and business.
Avoiding AI hype: We will follow a set of guidelines to avoid the pitfalls of AI hype. The guidelines aim to promote responsible and realistic deployment of AI technologies, emphasising the importance of transparency, accountability, and ethical considerations. The guidelines cover areas such as avoiding exaggerated claims about AI capabilities, ensuring that AI systems are designed to be transparent and interpretable, recognising the limitations of AI technologies, and prioritising human-centric design. The guidelines encourage a measured and responsible approach to AI adoption, grounded in clear and realistic expectations about the potential benefits and limitations of AI technologies.
By implementing this strategic plan, we aim to establish ourselves as a leading group in AI research, education, and industry relations, and to have a positive impact on society and on our province through our research, education and development efforts.