SCIENCE CAFÈ
MY CHATBOT IS ALWAYS THERE FOR ME. THE ETHICAL DILEMMAS OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE ASSISTANTS AND COMPANIONS
29 September 2024
A Science Café on the new frontiers of artificial intelligence, held as part of Trieste Next, the Scientific Research Festival, featuring William Hasselberger, Professor of Politics and Director of the Digital Ethics Laboratory at the Universidade Católica Portuguesa, and sociologist Francesco Miele from the Department of Political and Social Sciences at the University of Trieste.
The discussion focused on the growing use of digital assistants in private life and on the ethical, social, political, and psychological implications of this phenomenon.
The event was also livestreamed and is available online.
Videorecap
The next Science Café will take place in September 2026.
PODCASTS
AI AND THE FUTURE OF SOCIETY: OPPORTUNITIES AND RISKS
28 September 2024
The podcast explores the origins of AI, its impact on the world of work, and the ethical issues raised by this innovation. How can we make the most of the opportunities offered by artificial intelligence to improve our lives while avoiding negative consequences for society?
Curated by:
William Hasselberger, Director of the Digital Ethics Lab at Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Francesco Miele, sociologist at the University of Trieste.
Moderator:
Elisabetta De Giorgi, sociologist at the University of Trieste.
A “CHALLANGE FOR THE FUTURE OF OUR PLANET: HOW TO DEAL WITH “SPACE JUNK “
A podcast exploring the role of satellites in our everyday lives and the different materials used to build them. It also discusses possible solutions to the growing problem of space debris, with a focus on Astreo, a student-led project created to help address this issue.
Curated by:
Stefano Seriani, mechanical engineer and Associate Professor of Industrial and Mobile Robotics at the University of Trieste,
Emanuele Alberto Slejko, researcher at the Institute of Materials for Electronics and Magnetism (IMEM) of the Italian National Research Council (CNR),
Enrico Candotti, bachelor’s student in Computer Engineering at the University of Trieste, treasurer and co-founder of the Astreo student team,
Lorenzo Ferdinando Campaner, bachelor’s student in Ecology at the University of Trieste and host of gECO, a podcast on ecology and sustainability produced by the University of Trieste
T4EU PUPIL’S LAB
ENERGY TRANSITION LAB: THINK AND DESIGN THE FUTURE
20 March 2026
The first T4EU Pupil’s Lab organised by the University of Trieste focused on environmental sustainability and the energy transition. It was held at the United World College of Duino and involved the active and engaged participation of around 35 students.
Using the Design Thinking method, the workshop guided the students through a process that began with theoretical analysis and led them to develop creative and innovative solutions.