Minds and talents in dialogue

In a country which, according to the CNEL, is losing a significant portion of the 18–34 age group in terms of both quantity and quality, it is becoming increasingly urgent to support young talent and researchers by offering opportunities for discussion, training and collaboration. This is the mission of the RomeCup, organised by the Fondazione Mondo Digitale in collaboration with Sapienza University of Rome, which for the 2026 edition broadens its focus to Digital Humanities, exploring language as a meeting ground between natural and artificial intelligence, scientific knowledge and humanistic interpretation.

The official opening is scheduled for 28 April at 10am, in the Aula Magna of Sapienza’s Marco Polo Building, with a morning of discussion moderated by journalist Riccardo Luna.

Following the institutional greetings, the discussion will unfold through sessions dedicated to:

• youth-led enterprises and new job opportunities
• dialogue between students and leading figures from the scientific and cultural worlds
• ethics and governance of artificial intelligence.

Students are invited to actively participate in the debate on the major themes of technological transformation: responsibility, rights, social impact and the relationship between human and artificial intelligence, to build an increasingly shared and inclusive governance of innovation.

RomeCup 2026 is an event organised by the Fondazione Mondo Digitale in collaboration with Sapienza University of Rome and sponsored by MUR, the Lazio Region, Roma Capitale, IIT, CNR, IRIM and SIRI. It is organised in partnership with INAIL and in collaboration with Microsoft Italia, the Raspberry Pi Foundation, Amazon, Johnson & Johnson, Opening Future (a joint project by Google Cloud, Intesa Sanpaolo and TIM Enterprise) and SAP Italia. Media partners: Corriere della Sera, Rai Scuola, RaiNews.it, Rai Radio 1 and Rai Radio 3. Mobility partner: ATAC.

A tribute to Tullio De Mauro

On the 25th anniversary of the Fondazione Mondo Digitale, RomeCup dedicates a space for reflection to the scientific and civic legacy of Tullio De Mauro, linguist and former Minister of Education. The event, scheduled for 29 April at 10 am, explores the opportunities and risks of artificial intelligence applied to languages, bringing together technological research, the humanities and society. It is within this context that the new Cyber Humanities Award category has been established, as part of the Most Promising Researcher in Robotics and AI award, with over 60 judges from 41 universities and research centres. The awards ceremony will take place on 29 April at 9.00 pm in the Sala Esedra of the Capitoline Museums.

Competitions, research and prototypes, training and guidance

Over the three days of the event, there will be a mix of competitions, creative contests, technology demonstrations and training activities.

• Robotics competitions. Students from all over Italy are taking part in the 19th International City of Rome Robotics Trophy, in the following categories: OnStage, Explorer, Soccer and Rescue Line. The Robotic Arm Challenge is also on the programme. The awards ceremony takes place at the Campidoglio, in the presence of the Mayor of Rome.
• Creative contests. Six categories involve mixed teams comprising students, teachers and researchers, engaged in the design of innovative robots and software interfaces, fostering dialogue between university research and youthful creativity.
• Exhibition area.
• Over 50 organisations are presenting prototypes and advanced technological solutions. These include INAIL, with biomedical prototypes for customised prostheses; CNR, with touch-detection systems on 3D surfaces; IIT, with technologies for motor rehabilitation and the inclusion of children with visual impairments; Sapienza University of Rome, with the Booster T1 humanoid robot from the SPQR Robotics team.
• Educational workshops. Thirty-seven workshops are scheduled for schools of all levels. These include the Learning Convergence Lab on Cyber Humanities: for the first time, the university’s teaching activities are not suspended but integrated into the RomeCup programme with open workshops that foster dialogue between university teaching, research and experimentation.
• University guidance talks. Seventeen sessions with scientists, lecturers and business leaders, organised in collaboration with 12 universities, help students navigate STEAM careers and new applications of artificial intelligence and robotics.
• The event “Innovative Teaching, Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence in Schools” (28 April). Two round-table discussions dedicated to exploring the teaching of computer science in schools, the use of artificial intelligence in teaching and educational technologies, aimed at teachers and students from universities and schools of all levels.

Innovation and training with technology partners

RomeCup is also a platform for collaboration with businesses and organisations promoting educational programmes on artificial intelligence, innovation and digital citizenship. Among the main events:

• Hack4SocialAI (Roll Cloud-Opening Future). A national challenge dedicated to social innovation with mixed teams comprising students, university students, start-ups and young professionals. The project is carried out in collaboration with Opening Future, a joint initiative by Google Cloud, Intesa Sanpaolo and TIM Enterprise. At the end of the hackathon, a Social Impact Award and four thematic awards are presented: health, education, inclusion and poverty.
• Experience AI (Raspberry Pi Foundation). An interactive workshop to support teachers in using practical and inclusive teaching methods with artificial intelligence. The activities cover the fundamental concepts of AI and key topics such as algorithms, the responsible use of technology and bias.
• Ital.IA Lab for School (Microsoft). A workshop dedicated to introducing generative artificial intelligence into teaching, with practical activities for teachers and students. There are also 12 training sessions as part of the Smart & Safe programme, with Microsoft experts stepping up to train students to navigate the digital world with greater awareness.
• Rising Youth (SAP Italia). The programme for developing digital and soft skills aimed at students concludes with a hackathon and the presentation of prototypes to a panel of experts. The projects respond to the challenge: “Artificial intelligence at the service of sustainability for businesses and people”.
• Get the Most Out of the Internet (Google). An interactive workshop for teachers and students on digital citizenship and responsible internet use, featuring a presentation by the Italian National Institute of Health.
• From creativity to innovation: AI, apps and youth entrepreneurship (Amazon). The event will showcase the Make IT Real programme through its activities and achievements, featuring a workshop on creating an app using PartyRock, inspirational talks and the selected projects created by the students. The results of the “Un click per la scuola 2026” initiative will also be highlighted.