by InTrieste
The International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA) in Trieste opened its 46th academic year with an ambitious agenda, cementing its role as a leader in artificial intelligence and scientific research. The ceremony, held on November 22, 2024, highlighted new European Research Council (ERC) grants, a groundbreaking membership in the global AI Alliance, and advancements in interdisciplinary education.
AI Leadership and Global Recognition
SISSA announced its membership in the prestigious AI Alliance, becoming the first Italian institution in the network co-founded by IBM and Meta. The Alliance unites over 120 organizations worldwide to advance artificial intelligence innovation while prioritizing safety, inclusion, and competitiveness. “This milestone affirms SISSA’s leadership in AI research and opens doors to impactful global collaborations,” said Andrea Romanino, the institute’s director.
European Research Council Success
The school secured three major ERC grants this year, reflecting its dominance in securing competitive research funding:
- A €1.5 million Starting Grant for Sebastian Goldt’s project, which investigates neural networks in artificial intelligence.
- A €1.5 million Consolidator Grant for Alberto Maspero’s work on fluid dynamics and turbulence.
- A €12 million Synergy Grant, the first in SISSA’s history, to study gravitational wave data in collaboration with institutions in Denmark, the U.S., and Germany.
These achievements bring SISSA’s total ERC grants to 32, a figure nearly 25 times the Italian average.
Inspiring Lecture on Evolutionary Biology
The ceremony featured a keynote address by Detlev Arendt, Senior Scientist at EMBL Heidelberg, who explored the origins and evolution of the nervous system. His lecture detailed how marine species like sponges and sea anemones reveal insights into the development of neural networks and the centralization of the nervous system in early animals.
Looking Ahead
Founded in 1978, SISSA continues to drive innovation and interdisciplinary research in an inclusive and international environment. In addition to its AI initiatives, the school is launching a new Master’s program in Data Management and Curation and expanding its computational infrastructure.
With this robust start to the 2024/2025 academic year, SISSA solidifies its reputation as a hub for cutting-edge science and global collaboration.
Interview: Andrea Romanino, director of SISSA
