Politecnico Among the Italian Centres of Excellence Selected by Google to Lead Research in AI

Politecnico is among the four Italian centres of excellence selected by Google for a new funding programme dedicated to research in artificial intelligence. The support, provided through the Google.org platform as part of the investments announced to strengthen skills, education and innovation in Italy, recognises the University’s scientific excellence and consolidates its role as a national and international reference point in the field of AI.

The activities will be carried out by the Visual and Multimodal Applied Learning Lab (VANDAL) within the Department of Control and Computer Engineering-DAUIN, led by Professor Tatiana Tommasi. The research will focus specifically on the design of efficient and reliable algorithmic models for the processing of images, 3D data, video and language, with particular attention to robustness, long-term sustainability and methodological rigour.

“At Politecnico di Torino, we believe in an AI that does not merely provide automated answers, but instead stimulates new questions, creativity and scientific innovation,” comments Tatiana Tommasi. “We pursue this through the design of original, efficient and reliable algorithmic models: an approach that requires a long-term vision and the development of new expertise to address foundational challenges through a continuous dialogue between theory and application. In this context, forward-looking investments are essential to ensure continuity in research and to strengthen international collaborations, contributing to an open and competitive innovation ecosystem.”

The funding forms part of a broader strategy through which Google aims to strengthen Italy’s innovation ecosystem by recognising the central role of universities in developing AI solutions capable of combining scientific advancement with tangible benefits for the country’s economic and social fabric. Alongside Politecnico di Torino, Politecnico di Milano, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore and University of Catania have also been selected to participate in the programme.

For Politecnico, this support represents a strategic opportunity to consolidate cutting-edge research lines in artificial intelligence, attract early-career researchers and strengthen international collaboration networks, thereby making a significant contribution to the growth and competitiveness of the sector in Italy.