#Luiss.MasterClasses meeting series
#Luiss.MasterClasses is the university's new series of events dedicated to exploring topics related to the ongoing pandemic.
The lecture guests are internationally renowned experts who will offer insights on topics within their research fields related to the health emergency and the spread of COVID-19.
The next #Luiss.MasterClasses event is on Tuesday, May 26, at 6:30 PM. The guests for the event are Helga Nowotny, Professor Emeritus of Science and Technology Studies at ETH Zurich and former President of the ERC European Research Council, and Luigi Gubitosi, CEO of Telecom Italia. Luiss Vice President Paola Severino will introduce the event, and Luiss Rector Andrea Prencipe will moderate.
On Tuesday, April 21, the first event, titled “Pandemic Knowledge,” took place, featuring Luiss Rector Andrea Prencipe and writer Paolo Giordano.
“This new format aligns with the Luiss style: an ‘engaged university’ connected to the real world. These aren’t just lectures; they’re in-depth discussions with distinguished guests who tackle current issues from different perspectives,” said Rector Andrea Prencipe.
“In a world devoted to hyper-simplification, the COVID-19 phenomenon confronts us with the complexity we stubbornly refuse to consider in its entirety,” concluded writer Paolo Giordano.
The second event took place on Thursday, April 23. Luiss Vice President Paola Severino and Vodafone Italia CEO Aldo Bisio reflected together on the “new normal” following COVID-19, considering the changes introduced and supported by the more widespread use of digital tools. Luiss Rector Andrea Prencipe introduced and moderated the meeting.
“We had to pick up the pace on all fronts, but this acceleration made us aware of the benefits and dangers of the internet. As we return to normal, the internet will play an even more central and decisive role,” said Luiss Vice President Paola Severino.
“It's important to consider what the new normal will look like, but also how we'll get to this new state. There are three key drivers that will shape this change: remote working, process digitization, and automation,” said Aldo Bisio, CEO of Vodafone Italia.
The third event took place on Tuesday, April 28. Jeffrey Schnapp, Carl A. Pescosolido, Professor of Romance Languages and Literatures and of Comparative Literature at Harvard University, and Luiss General Director Giovanni Lo Storto discussed the role of artificial intelligence in the time of COVID-19. Luiss Rector Andrea Prencipe introduced and moderated the meeting.
“Education plays a central role because it offers a real opportunity for humans: to view machines and technologies as tools that can contribute to the joint creation of value,” said Luiss General Director Giovanni Lo Storto.
“Personally, I see digital intelligence as a kind of extension of human intelligence. According to this view, technologies have the merit of expanding the boundaries of our cognition and our knowledge,” concluded Professor Jeffrey Schnapp.
The fourth event took place on Thursday, April 30. The meeting's guests were Henry Chesbrough, Maire Tecnimont Chair in Open Innovation, and Fabrizio Di Amato, President of Maire Tecnimont, who reflected on the role of Open Innovation in the processes being implemented to overcome the current crisis. The meeting was introduced by Andrea Prencipe, the Rector of Luiss , and moderated by Cristina Alaimo, an Assistant Professor at Luiss.
“We need to think about the moment when the economy will be fully operational again. Open Innovation can support us in reshaping the way we work. The recovery won't find us where we left off: we're moving into a new era,” said Henry Chesbrough.
“The crisis is forcing us to think and imagine a different way of running businesses and organizations. We need to open our minds to understand what we can do for the future,” concluded Fabrizio di Amato, Chairman of Maire Tecnimont.
The fifth event took place on Sunday, May 3. The meeting's guests were psychoanalyst and writer Luigi Ballerini, journalist and writer Concita De Gregorio, and high school student Maria Giovanna Pederzoli. The event was introduced and moderated by Andrea Prencipe, the President of Luiss.
“We often focus on the pleasure that comes from fulfilling our expectations and desires. But disappointment happens, and it's important that it doesn't keep us stuck where we are; instead, it should be a fresh start,” said Luigi Ballerini.
“All our attention is focused on the moments we’ll experience in the immediate future, but the ‘after’ for our kids starts now, and it’s important not to let them lose hope,” said Concita De Gregorio.
“It will be a summer about rediscovering the beauty in every single gesture. It will be a time for contemplation and deep reflection, allowing us to better understand the everyday life we currently miss,” concluded student Maria Giovanna Pederzoli.
The sixth event took place on Tuesday, May 5. The meeting's guests were Luiss Professor of International Relations Raffaele Marchetti and Cecilia Piccioni, Senior Advisor to the President of Fincantieri and former Italian Ambassador to Vietnam. Luiss Rector Andrea Prencipe introduced and moderated the meeting.
“Resolving the crisis would require greater international coordination. Yet we are isolating ourselves, the world is repolarizing, and countries are trying to reduce their vulnerability by focusing on national resources,” said Professor Raffaele Marchetti.
“It's important for the EU to rethink the very notion of European sovereignty to understand how integration can support individual national governments,” concluded Cecilia Piccioni, Senior Advisor to the President of Fincantieri and former Italian Ambassador to Vietnam.
The seventh event took place on Thursday, May 7 . The meeting's guests were Francesco Lippi, Luiss Professor of Macroeconomics, and Alessio Miranda, CEO of ING Italia. Luiss Rector Andrea Prencipe introduced the meeting, and Luiss Professor Valentina Meliciani moderated.
“The emergency is health-related, but it has enormous economic implications. In everyday life, the choices of each individual citizen play a fundamental role, even in the functioning of the most basic market dynamics,” said Luiss Professor Francesco Lippi.
“The last three months have changed the world. We've witnessed a macroeconomic shock that has impacted consumption, production, investment, and markets. Within just a few weeks, we had to completely change the way we work,” said ING Italia CEO Alessio Miranda.
The eighth event took place on Tuesday, May 12. The meeting's guests were Giuseppe F. Italiano, Luiss Professor of Computer Science, and Luca Tomassini, President and CEO of Vetrya. Luiss Rector Andrea Prencipe will give the opening remarks, and Cristina Alaimo, Luiss Assistant Professor of Digital Economy, will moderate the event.
<p >"Data is very important, but we also need algorithms and models to help us better understand what's happening today and to outline a likely scenario for tomorrow. We must innovate and accelerate towards digital,” said Professor Giuseppe F. Italiano.
“Today, the world recognizes the potential of digital technology, a tool that has helped us solve problems and overcome obstacles in academia, education, medicine, and many other areas of society,” concluded Luca Tomassini.
The ninth event took place on Thursday, May 14 . The meeting's guests were Michele Costabile, Luiss Professor of Marketing, and Barbara Del Neri, Marketing Director for Southern Europe and Head of Digital & Data Transformation at Procter & Gamble. Luiss Rector Andrea Prencipe introduced the event, and Luiss Marketing Professor Simona Romani moderated.
“Measurement is the language we use to understand phenomena. But measurements alone don't help us understand or make decisions. We need to study to find causality, to predict better actions, and to imagine possible scenarios,” said Professor Michele Costabile.
“Large amounts of data and information, if poorly managed, can create chaos. It's important to start with the business question we want to solve and then use data to address it,” concluded Barbara Del Neri.
The tenth event took place on Tuesday, May 19 . The meeting's guests were Ian McCarthy, Luiss Professor of Technology Management, and Gianni Riotta, Director of the Luiss School of Journalism. Luiss Rector Andrea Prencipe introduced and moderated the event.
“To combat the spread of disinformation, it's crucial to learn to listen and read with an open and critical mind. As a society, as individuals, we must all be able to recognize the truth,” said Professor Ian McCarthy.
“Online, disinformation seems to spread faster than high-quality information. We no longer live in the age of mass media; rather, it's the era of individual media, where information flows through private chats and social media. We need to rebuild a sense of trust,” concluded Gianni Riotta.
The eleventh event took place on Thursday, May 21. The meeting's guests were Cisco Italia's CEO, Agostino Santoni, and Cristina Alaimo, Luiss Assistant Professor of Digital Economy. Luiss General Director Giovanni lo Storto and Luiss Rector Andrea Prencipe provided the introductions. Luiss Professor Luca Giustiniano moderated the event.
“The concept of digital resilience refers to the role that technology plays in limiting or facilitating the 'double leap' of organizations, that is, their capacity for innovation and transformation. The real challenge is to learn from experience,” said Cristina Alaimo.
“We've revolutionized how the country operates at an extraordinary pace. Now, everything needs to be rethought. We need to rethink the concept of leadership and put people at the heart of rebuilding the future,” concluded Cisco Italia CEO Agostino Santoni.