Today, all activities are taking place at Sapienza University of Rome
The RomeCup is the largest innovation event dedicated to young people, who are active participants in an ecosystem involving schools, universities, research centres, companies and institutions through training, guidance and innovative educational methodologies. Promoted since 2007 by the Fondazione Mondo Digitale ETS, the event showcases the talent of the younger generation, guiding them towards STEM studies and careers and supporting them in developing the specialist and transferable skills most in demand by the labour market – skills that are also essential for tackling the ethical and social challenges of technological transformation.
The 19th edition marks a special occasion: the 25th anniversary of the Fondazione Mondo Digitale and a thematic evolution that opens up new challenges for innovation and its social impact. RomeCup broadens its horizons and presents itself as a space for convergence where human and artificial intelligence engage in dialogue to build a new relationship between technology and society. Within this framework, the 2026 edition embraces Digital Humanities, exploring language as a meeting point between natural and artificial intelligence, scientific knowledge and humanistic interpretation, with a central role entrusted to students and young researchers.
THE PROGRAMME FOR THE FIRST DAY
Tuesday 28 April 2026 | Sapienza University of Rome
10am – 12pm | OPENING CONFERENCE. YOUTH, THE FUTURE, RESPONSIBILITY
Main Lecture Hall FOLLOW THE LIVE BROADCAST ON CORRIERE.IT
In an era marked by rapid technological advances and profound social transformations, RomeCup 2026 opens its proceedings by celebrating the talent of the younger generation as a key resource for building responsible, inclusive innovation geared towards the common good. The inaugural conference serves as a space for listening and dialogue, where young innovators engage with leading figures from the scientific, cultural and business worlds to reflect on ethics, work, social impact and the future.
Moderated by Riccardo Luna, journalist and columnist for Corriere della Sera
10.00 | WELCOME REMARKS
- Arianna Punzi, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Philosophy, Sapienza University of Rome
- Mirta Michilli, Director General of the Fondazione Mondo Digitale ETS
10.10 | SESSION 1. YOUTH ENTERPRISES CREATING JOBS
Stories of innovation that generate impact. Presentation of two youth enterprise initiatives born out of training, research and innovation programmes, which today provide employment for other young people and generate social and technological value. The testimonials demonstrate how talent, skills and vision can translate into concrete opportunities for employment, enterprise and sustainable development.
Introduction by Paolo Dario, Professor Emeritus of Biomedical Robotics at the Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies in Pisa, and a permanent member of the IEEE. Recipient of the Joseph Engelberger Award and the IEEE Ras Pioneer Award.
Speakers:
Massimiliano Simi, VP, Global R&D and Co-Founder of MMI Medical Micro Instruments spa (mmimicro.com)
Daniele Spaccini, Founder and Chief Innovation Officer of WSense (wsense.it)
Andrea Pagnin, Co-founder and Chief Business Officer of Generative Bionics (gbionics.ai)
10.50 | SESSION 2. DIGITAL CULTURES
Young students engage in dialogue with leading figures from the scientific and cultural worlds on the major ethical issues surrounding technological transformation: responsibility, rights, social impact, informed use, and the relationship between human and artificial intelligence. An open discussion that focuses on the questions of the younger generations and their active role in building a shared governance of innovation.
Introduced by Luigia Carlucci Aiello, founder and first president of the Italian Association for Artificial Intelligence.
Speakers:
Alfio Ferrara, Full Professor of Computer Science at the University of Milan
Luca Iocchi, Full Professor in the Department of Computer, Automation and Management Engineering at Sapienza University of Rome
11.20 | SESSION 3. GENDER, BODY AND ONLINE REPRESENTATION
Dialogue with young people on gender stereotypes amplified by algorithms, the construction of self-image, and differences in pressure between girls and boys in the digital space (questions to start with: Who decides what is ‘desirable’ online? Do new technologies really make us freer to express ourselves?
Speakers:
- Leopoldina Fortunati, senior professor of Sociology of Communication and Culture at the University of Udine
- Tiziana Catarci, full professor of Computer Engineering at Sapienza University of Rome and director of the Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies at the CNR.
11.50 | FINAL SUMMARY PRESENTATION
Davide D’Amico, Director-General of Information Systems and Statistics at the Ministry of Education and Merit.
10.00–13.30 | STUDENTS MEET THE UNIVERSITIES
Lecture Theatres T2, 106, 108, 110, 201
Guidance sessions dedicated to direct dialogue between students and universities. Universities present study programmes, research opportunities and career prospects, supporting young people in their educational choices and the transition from school to university.
10.00–16.00 | DEMONSTRATION AREA
Opening ceremony and ribbon-cutting at 13.20, alongside the opening conference, in the presence of institutional figures.
An exhibition space open to the public where universities, schools, companies, start-ups and research centres present prototypes, projects and innovative solutions. A meeting place for applied research, educational experimentation and technological innovation, designed to foster direct dialogue between those who develop technology and those who experience, study or will use it in the future.
Humanoid Lab Corner. A dedicated area focuses on the development of humanoid robotics: from the journey of the SPQR Sapienza team (Nao) to the new frontiers of humanoid robots (Booster T1). Demos, research stories, technological challenges and future prospects. With special sessions led by team leader Vincenzo Suriani, researcher.
10.00–18.00 | ROBOTICS COMPETITIONS
National and international competitions in which students of various ages compete in educational and advanced robotics challenges. The competitions highlight technical skills, problem-solving, teamwork and creativity, offering young people an authentic learning and competitive environment, in line with the international standards of the RoboCup.
- 19th International City of Rome Robotics Trophy (Rescue Line, On Stage First Step, On Stage Primary, On Stage Advanced, Explorer Junior, Explorer Senior)
- Robotic arms
10.00–15.00 | EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS
Classrooms T1, T2, 101, 102, 104, 107, 109, 206
Hands-on activities in educational robotics and emerging technologies aimed at students and teachers of all levels. The workshops promote experiential learning, an interdisciplinary approach and the development of digital and transferable skills, using inclusive methodologies focused on ‘learning by doing’.
Teaching, applied research and global perspectives
For the first time, the teaching activities of the university hosting RomeCup will not be suspended, but integrated into the programme with open workshops combining university teaching, research and experimentation on topics in the digital humanities: augmented languages, algorithm ethics, generative artificial intelligence, and new forms of storytelling and knowledge.
14.00–18.00 | PROJECTS WITH COMPANIES
Lecture Rooms 103, 106, 107, 108
Projects in partnership with companies provide spaces for practical experimentation, where students, lecturers, researchers and professionals collaborate to transform technological innovation into opportunities for learning, career guidance and social impact. An alliance between industry, academia and research that helps build a shared governance of innovation, founded on responsibility, inclusion and sustainable development.
Roll Cloud. Hack4SocialIA with Opening Future [Room 103]
National challenge of the Roll Cloud project, in partnership with Opening Future, a joint initiative by Google Cloud, Intesa Sanpaolo and TIM Enterprise. The hackathon involves mixed teams (school pupils, university students, start-ups and young professionals). At the end, a Social Impact Award and four thematic awards (health, education, inclusion, poverty) will be presented.
Augmented teaching. AI pathways in schools: opportunities and responsibilities [Lecture Theatres 107 and 108]
To strengthen teachers’ digital skills and foster a culture of responsible innovation that prioritises people, learning and the future of the next generations. The Ministry of Education and Merit is participating with a workshop on Guidelines for the introduction of artificial intelligence in schools. Followed by two workshops in collaboration with Microsoft and the Raspberry Pi Foundation.
AI and sustainable development. Rising Youth hackathon with SAP [Room 106]
A programme for developing digital and soft skills aimed at students, featuring themed webinars and a challenge on the use of AI for sustainability. The programme concludes with a hackathon and the presentation of prototypes to a jury of experts.
14.30–17.30 | INNOVATIVE TEACHING, COMPUTER SCIENCE AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN SCHOOLS [Main Lecture Theatre]
Organised by Sapienza University of Rome as part of ALMA, Digital Education Hub.
Two round-table discussions exploring the teaching of computer science in schools, the use of artificial intelligence in education and new technologies for teaching, aimed at teachers and students from universities and schools of all levels on this topic.
