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In an era marked by rapid technological advances and profound social change, RomeCup 2026 opens its proceedings by celebrating the talent of the younger generation as a key resource for building responsible, inclusive innovation that is geared towards the common good.
The opening conference provides 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
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
YOUTH-LED ENTERPRISES CREATING JOBS
Stories of innovation that make an impact. Presentation of two youth-led enterprise initiatives born out of training, research and innovation programmes, which today provide employment for other young people and generate social and technological value. These case studies 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
Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna 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
Daniele Spaccini, Founder and Chief Innovation Officer of WSense
Andrea Pagnin, Co-founder & Chief Business Officer, Generative Bionics
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. Introduction 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
GENDER, BODY AND ONLINE REPRESENTATION
A 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.
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.
CLOSING REMARKS
Davide D’Amico, Director-General of Information Systems and Statistics at the Ministry of Education and Merit.
