​Join us to shape the future of Sicilian AI!

​Sicilian AI Workshop is a full-day gathering of researchers, founders, and practitioners with Sicilian roots or ties, coming together on Thursday 18 December 2025 at Città della Scienza in Catania. Expect attendees across academia, industry, and policy for a program that blends frontier research, entrepreneurial stories, and space to connect the island’s growing AI community.

​Join the Discord community: https://discord.gg/FEbVrfpqqS

​Highlights

• ​Six scientific keynotes from Sicilian talent working in industry and academia all around the world.

• ​Founders’ panel featuring innovative Sicilian AI startups.

• ​Two poster sessions (submit your poster abstract now!)

• ​Hosted on the Ionian waterfront with coffee breaks and lunch included.

​Program Snapshot (times are in CET)

• ​08:30 – 09:45: Registration & welcome coffee

• ​09:45 – 10:00: Opening remarks

• ​10:00 – 12:30: Morning keynotes (Carlo Sferrazza, Ugo Rosolia) and coffee break, poster session

• ​13:00 – 14:00: Lunch

• ​14:00 – 16:30: Afternoon keynotes (Marco Siniscalchi, Alfio Gliozzo, Pietro Mazzaglia, Pierluca D’Oro) with a coffee break

• ​16:30 – 17:30: Sicilian AI Startups founders’ panel

• ​17:30 – 20:00: Evening poster session & networking

​Keynote Speakers

• ​Carlo Sferrazza — UT Austin

• ​Ugo Rosolia — Lyric

• ​Marco Siniscalchi — University of Palermo (UniPA)

• ​Alfio Gliozzo — IBM Research

• ​Pietro Mazzaglia — Qualcomm

• ​Pierluca D’Oro — Meta & Mila

​Panel: Sicilian AI Startups

​Emanuele Ragusa (Xenia Progetti) · Francesco Ragusa (NextVision) · Alessandro La Rosa (CreationDose) · Alessio Occhipinti (Lualtek) · Giambattista Pisasale (AITHO) · Roberta Pellegrino (Ludwig) · Roberto Leotta (iCTLab s.r.l.)

​Call for Posters

​Showcase your latest work alongside researchers from the Future Artificial Intelligence Research project to a curated audience of researchers, students, and industry partners. Submit a short abstract (≤300 words) via https://forms.gle/hTukDfPy9GueV1sC9, rolling acceptance until slots fill. Presenters should plan for an A0 portrait poster and in-person attendance.

​Venue & Logistics

​Città della Scienza, Via Simeto 19, Catania. The venue overlooks the Ionian Sea and offers bright auditoriums and collaboration spaces. Registration includes two coffee breaks and lunch.

​Who Should Attend

​Researchers, PhD students, founders, operators, industry practitioners, policy makers, and anyone eager to build the Sicilian AI ecosystem. Whether you’re based in Sicily, you're home for the holidays or collaborating from abroad, this is an annual touchpoint for connecting with the Sicilian AI community.

​Organizers

​Pierluca D’Oro (Meta & Mila) · Pietro Mazzaglia (Qualcomm) · Giovanni Maria Farinella (UniCT & NextVision) · Concetto Spampinato (UniCT)