The IAS – Institute for Advanced Study programme, developed by the Istituto Italiano di Intelligenza Artificiale (AI4I) together with Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo, continued its 2026 cycle on March 30, 2026, with the Lectio Magistralis delivered by Jürgen Schmidhuber, one of the pioneers of modern artificial intelligence.
The lecture, titled “Past, Present, Future, and far Future of Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence”, offered a wide-ranging reflection on the evolution of AI, framed within a historical perspective spanning the key scientific and technological transformations of recent decades.
The event was opened by Antonio Emilio Calegari, Director of AI4I, and Alberto Anfossi, Secretary General of Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo, and introduced by Valeria Morra, Associate Director of the IAS programme.
During his talk, Schmidhuber retraced the major milestones in the development of artificial intelligence, from foundational theoretical contributions in the 1990s to the most recent advances in generative models and machine learning techniques. A central focus was placed on the transition toward forms of AI increasingly embedded in the physical world, with autonomous robots and advanced applications operating in real-world environments.
The lecture also explored long-term scenarios in which self-improving intelligent systems contribute to the emergence of new technological infrastructures at a global scale, with significant implications for the economy, society, and the organization of knowledge.
Schmidhuber, Co-Chair of the Center of Excellence for Generative AI at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology and Scientific Director of the Swiss AI Lab IDSIA, is widely recognized for his foundational contributions to deep learning, shaping both scientific research and industrial applications.
“The lecture offered a powerful reconstruction of a largely European history of artificial intelligence—one built on research, invention, and talent,” said Antonio Emilio Calegari. “It also pointed to a concrete direction for the future: physical AI. Robotics and advanced mechanical systems remain areas where Europe can reclaim a leading role.”
Alberto Anfossi added: “Through the IAS programme, the Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo fosters an open and international ecosystem around artificial intelligence, promoting dialogue between research, innovation, and society. Hosting leading figures such as Schmidhuber contributes to strengthening a shared understanding of AI’s rapid transformations, while expanding access to high-level knowledge and expertise.”
