by InTrieste
In a move that underscores the growing importance of artificial intelligence in both academia and industry, Generali, one of the world’s largest insurance companies, has partnered with the University of Trieste to establish a new academic chair dedicated to Responsible and Sustainable Artificial Intelligence. The initiative, announced on Monday as part of the university’s centennial celebrations, signals a long-term investment in AI research and ethics at a time when the technology is reshaping societies and businesses worldwide.
The new chair, set to launch in the 2025-2026 academic year, will be funded by Generali for 15 years, covering both a research position and its eventual transition into a full professorship in computer science (INFO-01/A). The announcement was made during an event at the University of Trieste attended by leading figures in both academia and business, including University Rector Roberto Di Lenarda, Generali Chairman Andrea Sironi, Generali CFO and MIB President Cristiano Borean, and Professor Teresa Scantamburlo, the inaugural holder of the new position. The discussion was moderated by Professor Luca Bortolussi, a Full Professor of Computer Science at the university.
Generali’s decision to back the initiative builds on its prior investment in AI-related research, including its role in co-founding the Data Science & Artificial Intelligence Institute, a Friuli Venezia Giulia-based research hub focused on machine learning and AI applications. That effort helped establish the Business Translator role, designed to bridge the gap between AI researchers and business professionals.
But with the rapid expansion of AI, Generali is now turning its attention to the ethical and social challenges the technology presents. The new chair, in collaboration with the University of Trieste, aims to deepen the understanding of AI’s implications while equipping students and professionals with the skills to navigate the evolving landscape. The initiative will also benefit Generali’s in-house Academy, which is developing expertise in responsible and sustainable AI.
“Trieste’s scientific ecosystem is a treasure trove of talent and knowledge that Generali is proud to support,” said Andrea Sironi, the company’s chairman. “On the occasion of the University of Trieste’s centennial, we are committing to a long-term collaboration to establish this new chair. Our goal is to invest in young talent and innovation by tackling one of the most transformative topics of our time—Artificial Intelligence—while fostering a closer dialogue between academia and industry.”
University Rector Roberto Di Lenarda emphasized the importance of the initiative in shaping the future of AI research. “Our mission as a university is to cultivate and amplify human intelligence—AI is a tool that will help us do just that,” he said. “Thanks to Generali’s investment, our academic offerings will now include a critical new field of study, one that aligns with the evolving needs of society and industry.”
Professor Teresa Scantamburlo, who has previously worked at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, the University of Bristol (UK), and the European Centre for Living Technology, is known for her research into the ethical and social implications of artificial intelligence. She played a key role in piloting the European Union’s ethical guidelines for trustworthy AI and currently serves on the working group drafting the general-purpose AI code of conduct for the European Commission’s AI Office.
While Generali’s latest investment marks a major step toward integrating AI research into Trieste’s academic fabric, the company’s commitment to artificial intelligence is far from over. Sources within Generali have hinted at an even larger AI-related initiative centered on the city of Trieste, with details expected to be revealed next Tuesday. The project is said to involve significant new investments, underscoring the city’s growing importance as a European hub for AI development.
More details will be announced soon.
Interviews: Andrea Sironi, President of Generali; Rector Roberto Di Lenarda
