IA@UNIFE

The University Centre for Artificial Intelligence (IA@UNIFE) is a Centre of Strategic Interest at the University of Ferrara, dedicated to interdisciplinary research and the development of innovative initiatives in the field of Artificial Intelligence. The Centre was established by Rector’s Decree No. 1944/2025, ref. No. 35998 of 3 December 2025, with effect from 1 January 2026.

Mission

IA@UNIFE promotes research, training, and the dissemination of scientific knowledge on Artificial Intelligence (hereinafter referred to as AI), fostering an interdisciplinary and responsible approach to emerging technologies, with a focus on ethical, social and environmental impacts.
The Centre supports and coordinates research projects of strategic interest in the field of AI, encouraging collaboration between departments, research centres and national and international partners.

Activities

Coordination of research projects of strategic interest
Organisation of conferences, seminars, workshops, and training activities to promote awareness in the field of AI
Promotion of the University’s participation in national and European research and innovation programmes

Objectives

To encourage scientific and applied research in the field of AI
To foster interdisciplinarity and collaboration between departments, research centres, and other academic bodies on AI-related issues
To support advanced training initiatives (master’s degrees, PhD programmes, specialisation courses, summer schools) in the field of AI
To investigate the impact of AI on teaching
Promote technology transfer and innovation to businesses, public administrations, and civil society
Strengthen the University’s strategic position within national and international networks dedicated to AI
Promote the ethical, sustainable, and responsible use of AI technologies

Find out about the Centre’s events

Executive Board

1 January 2026 – 31 December 2028

Prof. Fabrizio Riguzzi Head of the Centre Department of Mathematics and Computer Science

Prof.ssa Elena Bellodi Department of Engineering	Dott.ssa Giulia Bertaglia Department of Environmental and Prevention Sciences	Prof. Alessandro Drago Department of Physics and Earth Sciences

Prof. Lorenzo Pareschi Department of Mathematics and Computer Science	Prof. Marco Luca Pedroni Department of Humanities	Prof. Cesare Stefanelli Department of Engineering

Statute and membership

The Centre’s statute stipulates that lecturers, researchers, and technical and administrative staff at the University of Ferrara, as well as external individuals, may apply to join the Centre. Membership enables the Centre to identify areas of expertise and interests. Applications are submitted to the Governing Board for approval at its next available meeting. Applicants will be notified of the decision—whether their application is accepted or rejected—by email, with appropriate reasons provided.

To apply for membership of the Centre, please complete this form. The form requires you to select at least one area of Artificial Intelligence in which you have been active, but you may also specify an area not listed.

The list of the Centre’s members and their areas of expertise is available both on the dedicated web page, in an interactive format, and in the summary PDF document.