Proposed by the Department of Management, Information and Production Engineering, in collaboration with the Departments of Humanities, Philosophy, Communication, and the Department of Economic Sciences, this interdepartmental and interdisciplinary PhD program brings together different expertise from across eight departments of the university.

This doctoral program is positioned within an emerging field of research that explores the principles and practices related to the development and adoption of sustainable Artificial Intelligence (AI).

The program offers students an interdisciplinary training path aimed at equipping them with theoretical knowledge, empirical awareness, and practical models that are essential to proactively engage with the emerging field of sustainable AI, both in the sense of AI for sustainability and Sustainable AI. The goal is to train high-level researchers with cross-disciplinary skills spanning technical-scientific, applied, economic-industrial, and socio-cultural domains. These researchers will be capable of designing and managing AI development and implementation processes that are attentive to the systemic complexity required by the principle of sustainability.

The PhD program consists of a shared interdisciplinary core, which is then followed by two specialized curricula:

• AI in context: sustainable socio-technical systems, rooted in social sciences and the humanities

• Participatory development of AI models, methods and applications, grounded in mathematics, computer science, and engineering

The program prepares high-level professionals with cross-cutting competencies in technical-scientific, socio-cultural, and economic-industrial areas. Graduates will be able to work in multidisciplinary environments and tackle the challenges associated with ethical and sustainable AI applications across various sectors. The objective is to train experts capable of designing and managing AI systems that take into account the systemic complexity required by sustainability.

Thanks to its multidisciplinary approach, the PhD program aims to develop young researchers skilled in designing context-aware AI models and methods through participatory processes involving dialogue with stakeholders, opening up diverse career opportunities.

For those pursuing an academic path, the PhD is a fundamental requirement both nationally and internationally. Equally important is the opportunity to work in cutting-edge research centers and institutions dedicated to technological development, where the acquired skills will prove essential. PhD graduates distinguish themselves through a deep understanding of technological evolution, a critical awareness of the social impact of innovations, and a strong command of advanced scientific tools and methodologies. These attributes allow them to address market challenges with rigor, independence, and critical thinking.

The transversal skills acquired through the program enable graduates to take on key roles in public and private research centers, companies, and industries, and also foster the creation of innovative enterprises both in Italy and abroad. PhD holders play a strategic role in enhancing skills within industrial and professional sectors, contributing to technology transfer, and supporting the development of academic spin-offs and cutting-edge startups.

Duration: 3 years

Language: English

CURRICULA:

- AI in context: sustainable socio-technical systems

The curriculum explores the social, philosophical, economic, and cultural dimensions of the principle of sustainability as applied to artificial intelligence. It investigates technological innovation as a complex sociotechnical system in which artificial intelligence becomes significant insofar as it is inextricably intertwined with economic and production models, organizational cultures, regulatory frameworks, social representations, and cultural and aesthetic sensibilities. The in-depth examination of the relational and situated nature of AI draws on contributions from sociology, philosophy, economics, business studies, law, linguistics and literary studies, psychology, and pedagogy. The programme includes theoretical and experimental approaches to AI design practices inspired by principles of social sustainability, with reference to the most recent developments in the fields of participatory AI and participatory development, as well as to the challenges related to the inclusion of broad publics and non-expert stakeholders in the conception and definition of its operational and usage frameworks.

- Participatory development of AI models, methods and applications

The curriculum aims to train professionals capable of developing AI models, methods, and applications through participatory dialogue with stakeholders from a sustainability perspective, understood in two senses. In the first sense, “AI for sustainability,” the curriculum addresses the concept of sustainability through the development and implementation of AI models, methods, and applications that support the efficiency improvement of economic and productive sectors, with attention to short- and long-term multisectoral impacts. In the sense of “Sustainable AI,” the curriculum addresses the issue of sustainability through the development of AI models, methods, and applications in accordance with the principles of participatory development. In addition to the transversal skills acquired through the common curriculum, this curriculum will provide technical and scientific skills in the design and development of AI models, methods, and applications, including economic-managerial and management skills useful for qualitatively and quantitatively assessing the impact that what has been developed may have in the socio-economic, legal, corporate, industrial, and cultural contexts in which it will be implemented.