by InTrieste
Interviews: CEO Assicurazioni Generali, Philippe Donnet; FVG governor, Massimiliano Fedriga; Italy’s minister for infrastructure, Matteo Salvini
Trieste is charting a bold new course into the future. On Tuesday, a coalition of global businesses, academic institutions, and public entities unveiled the Agorai Innovation Hub—an ambitious new center for advanced research in artificial intelligence and data science that aims to position Italy at the forefront of technological innovation in Europe.
Backed by a powerhouse consortium that includes Generali, Fincantieri, illycaffè, Goldman Sachs, Deloitte, and Google Cloud, the Agorai Hub promises to become a focal point for cutting-edge research, startup development, and international collaboration. Academic partners include the University of Trieste, SISSA, University of Udine, MIB Trieste School of Management, and the Italian Institute of Technology, with participation from the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP).
The Hub will be housed in Palazzo Carciotti, a neoclassical landmark overlooking the Gulf of Trieste and the historic first headquarters of Generali. The space is undergoing a radical transformation designed by architect Carlo Ratti, known for integrating innovation and sustainability into public spaces.
“This is more than just a research center,” said a regional official at the launch event. “It’s the seed of a new European Silicon Valley—rooted in our history, but built for a sustainable and global future.”
The Agorai Innovation Hub will focus on four key areas: health and well-being, regenerative agriculture and food systems, mobility and transport, and finance and capital markets. Google Cloud, serving as the strategic innovation partner, will provide cloud infrastructure and early access to large language models such as Gemini.
While the launch marks a major milestone for Trieste, it also serves as a broader statement of intent for the Friuli Venezia Giulia region, which has long served as Italy’s gateway to Central Europe and the Balkans. To truly become an international innovation powerhouse, officials emphasized the importance of improved infrastructure and connectivityto the rest of the continent.
Matteo Salvini, Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, was present at the event. In his remarks, Salvini acknowledged the region’s growing international relevance and affirmed the government’s commitment to bolstering its European ties.
The regional administration, led by the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia, is contributing both resources and strategic guidance. The Hub will not only foster innovation but also serve as a talent incubator, supporting young researchers, entrepreneurs, and engineers across Europe and beyond.
As the global race for technological supremacy accelerates, Agorai aims to place Italy—and Trieste in particular—firmly on the map as a hub of ideas, discovery, and progress.
