Overview

The "UVA–IMT Workshop and Innovation Lab on Artificial Intelligence, Its Applications, and Global Impact" is a joint initiative organized by the IMT Scuola Alti Studi Lucca in partnership with the University of Virginia’s Global Programs Office, the UVA School of Data Science,  and, the UVA LaCross Institute for Ethical Artificial Intelligence in Business, which will bringing together leading faculty researchers and students from the United States and Italy.

Bringing together faculty researchers and students from the United States and Italy, the event will take place in Lucca from May 25 to May 29. It is designed to foster interdisciplinary collaboration at the forefront of artificial intelligence (AI) research and its societal implications.

Structure of the Event

The program is organized into two complementary phases:

• Day 1 – Scientific Symposium

A full day of keynote talks, research presentations and discussions aimed at establishing a shared scientific foundation and highlighting current advances in AI. 

• Days 2–5 – Innovation Lab (by invitation only)

A highly interactive and facilitated collaborative experience inspired by the Ideas Lab model (see: https://knowinnovation.com/ki-workshops/ideas-labs/ and https://www.innovation.lab.virginia.edu/), where participants will work in interdisciplinary/transnational teams to develop innovative research ideas and projects.

This structure is designed to move from knowledge exchange to active co-creation, enabling participants to translate ideas into concrete research directions.

Scientific focus

Participants will engage in a dynamic program of talks, working sessions, and discussions focused on advancing both the theory and application of AI across diverse scientific domains.

The workshop and the Ideas Lab will center on several thematic areas, including, but by no means limited to, network systems, digital twins, neuroscience, finance, and ethical and societal dimensions of AI - all domains of interest to both the IMT and to UVA. Through these themes, participants will explore cutting-edge methodologies in machine learning and data science, while also examining how AI tools can be applied to complex real-world challenges such as healthcare, urban systems, social dynamics, and bioscience. We may discover other points of interest as well.  A strong emphasis will be placed on integrating data science, mathematical, computational, and domain-specific perspectives, enabling participants to co-develop innovative approaches that bridge foundational AI research with impactful applications.

Beyond its scientific focus, the workshop aims to strengthen international collaboration between the IMT and UVA and to cultivate the next generation of AI researchers. By creating opportunities for sustained interaction among faculty and students, the program promotes knowledge exchange, mentorship, and the development of new research partnerships. Participants will leave with not only a deeper understanding of emerging AI technologies, but also a stronger connection to a growing transatlantic research community committed to advancing AI in ways that are innovative, responsible, and globally relevant.

Expected outcomes

Expected outcomes from this workshop extend well beyond the event itself, centering on the formation of new international, multidisciplinary teams that will collaborate on high-impact scholarly outputs. By bringing together researchers from diverse domains — including data science, network science, neuroscience, engineering, and the social sciences — the workshop will catalyze the development of joint manuscripts addressing AI policy, best practices, state-of-the-art literature reviews, and ethical frameworks for responsible AI deployment. These teams will be positioned to produce publishable work that not only advances technical understanding but also informs governance, transparency, and societal impact.

In addition, the collaborative environment will foster the co-development of white papers, perspective articles, and funding proposals, ensuring sustained engagement beyond the workshop. Collectively, these outputs will contribute to shaping global discourse on AI, while establishing durable research partnerships between to leading U.S. and Italian institutions.

Community and Impact

By combining scientific exchange with structured collaboration, the UVA–IMT Workshop and Ideas Lab aims to build a durable transatlantic research community.

Participants will leave not only with new ideas and projects, but also with strengthened professional networks and a shared commitment to advancing AI in ways that are:

• Innovative

• Responsible

• Globally relevant

Practical information

Dates: May 25–29

Location: Lucca, Italy

Format: Workshop (Day 1) + Innovation Lab (Days 2–5)

Participation fee: None

The workshop will take place at IMT Lucca, Piazza San Francesco 19. It will feature paper sessions, discussant feedback, and roundtable discussions designed to encourage cross-disciplinary exchange. The program is available here.

The IMT-UVA Workshop and the Innovation Lab is supported by:

• Educating Future Citizens 

• UVA Office of the Provost 

• UVA LaCross Institute for Ethical Artificial Intelligence in Business