From Microsoft’s new headquarters to the Digital School Forum, covering training, inclusion and artificial intelligence
From the opening of Microsoft’s new headquarters in Rome to the Digital School Forum in Varese, the Mondo Digitale Foundation’s week covers a range of topics and contexts, all linked by a common thread: developing skills, promoting inclusion and highlighting the role of people in technological innovation. On Wednesday 11 November, to mark the opening of the Microsoft House, a class from the IIS Enzo Ferrari in Rome took part in a special Smart & Safe session dedicated to cybersecurity, ahead of the ribbon-cutting ceremony and press conference with Mayor Roberto Gualtieri, representatives from Microsoft and the Foundation’s Director-General, Mirta Michilli.
On Thursday 12 November, to mark the 90th anniversary of the Leonarda Vaccari Institute, Mirta Michilli will present the Pathway Companion initiative, an artificial intelligence-based platform developed to support the learning and inclusion of children and young people with special educational needs. In Varese, meanwhile, as part of the tenth edition of the Stati Generali della Scuola Digitale (12–14 November), dedicated to the theme Educating the human. Living in the digital age, the Foundation is organising an experiential workshop for teachers: an escape room to explore algorithmic biases, ethical dilemmas and responsibility in the use of AI. Other events include the session ‘Female Intelligence in AI’ in Arezzo, the launch of Alfonso Molina’s new book at the Moby Dick cultural centre in Rome, and the training programmes AI Ready, AI Jump!, Digital Licence and Living in the City.
Monday 9 November
- 10.00–11.00 | AI Ready. Training webinar for upper secondary school pupils.
- 5.00–6.00 pm | Digital Licence. Fact-checking and cyber security. Webinar for teachers.
- 6.00–7.00 pm | PariPasso: Beyond the Frame. AI, design and architecture workshop with Ilaria La Manna, aimed at upper secondary school teachers.
Tuesday 10 November
- 15.00–18.00 | Living in the City. Basic digital skills. Course for asylum seekers and beneficiaries of international protection. Trainers: Lara Forgione and Giorgia Macrino.
- 15.00–18.00 | Living in the City. Digital skills for work. Course for asylum seekers and beneficiaries of international protection. Trainer: Francesca Lisi.
Wednesday 11 November
- 9.00–13.00 | AI Jump! Workshop at the COL Giugni in Rome.
- 10.00–13.00 | Inauguration of the new Microsoft headquarters in Rome at Viale Civiltà del Lavoro 38, Rome.
- 11.00–12.00 | IC. Collective Intelligence. Digital licence for upper secondary school pupils.
- 2.30 pm–6.00 pm | Women’s intelligence in AI. Meeting in Arezzo, Via Lazzaro Spallanzani 25.
Thursday 12 November
- 9.00 am–7.00 pm | 90th anniversary of the Leonarda Vaccari Institute.
- Conference Attention and care for people with disabilities: the drive for innovation began 90 years ago. At 3.00 pm, during the session dedicated to innovative digital approaches in the field of rehabilitation and inclusion, Mirta Michilli will speak on the topic ‘When artificial intelligence serves integration: the Pathway Companion platform’. Main Lecture Theatre of the Leonarda Vaccari Institute, Viale Angelico 22, Rome.
- 3.00 pm–6.00 pm | Living in the City. Basic digital skills and digital technology for work.
- 5.00 pm–6.00 pm | Digital Licence. Online crime and hate: how to protect yourself. Webinar for teachers.
Friday 13 November
- 11.00–12.00 | IC – Collective Intelligence. Digital Licence for upper secondary school pupils.
- 18.00–20.00 | Presentation of Alfonso Molina’s book. Event dedicated to the autobiographical book La lotta e altre due o tre cose sulla felicità, published by FrancoAngeli. Moby Dick Cultural Centre, Via Edgardo Ferrati 3a, Rome.
Saturday 14 November
10.15–11.00 | AI in a trap! An escape room exploring bias, ethics and teaching. General Assembly of the Digital School. Experiential workshop by the Mondo Digitale Foundation, led by Sabrina D’Avolio and Valentina Gelsomini. Through puzzles and collaborative challenges, teachers explore algorithmic stereotypes, the limitations of artificial intelligence and teaching strategies to develop students’ critical thinking. Villa Andrea, Sala Caccia, Varese.
