On March 30, 2026, the CSP-IAS – Institute for Advanced Study will host its Lectio Magistralis 2026, featuring one of the most influential figures in the history of artificial intelligence, Jürgen Schmidhuber.
Titled “Past, Present, Future, and far Future of Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence”, the lecture will offer a far-reaching perspective on the evolution of AI — from its scientific foundations to its long-term implications for humanity and beyond.
Schmidhuber, Co-Chair of the Center of Excellence for Generative AI at KAUST and Scientific Director of the Swiss AI Lab IDSIA, is widely recognized for pioneering contributions that underpin modern AI systems. His early work laid the groundwork for several core concepts behind today’s generative models and large-scale learning architectures.
In this lectio magistralis, he situates artificial intelligence within a broader historical trajectory, connecting key technological developments — from the emergence of the World Wide Web to early mobile computing and autonomous systems — with the rise of contemporary AI.
Looking ahead, the lecture will explore the shift from AI operating in digital environments to physical AI, embodied in intelligent machines capable of interacting with and transforming the real world. This long-term vision includes self-improving systems and autonomous machine ecosystems with far-reaching implications for science, industry, and society.
At the same time, Schmidhuber will address the more immediate impact of AI, highlighting its role in improving quality of life, health, and efficiency across multiple domains.
The Lectio Magistralis 2026 is part of the CSP-IAS programme, a joint initiative of the Istituto Italiano di Intelligenza Artificiale (AI4I) and Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo, aimed at bringing leading international voices to engage with the scientific, industrial, and societal dimensions of artificial intelligence.
The event will take place on March 30, 2026, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm CEST (check-in from 5:30 pm), at OGR Torino, and will also be available via webinar.
For programme details and participation, both in person and remotely:
