The proposal to establish a European research infrastructure dedicated to artificial intelligence—inspired by CERN’s model of excellence and international cooperation—was the focus of today's institutional debate at the Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei.
The initiative, discussed alongside the scientific community and the Minister for Universities and Research, Anna Maria Bernini, addresses the urgent need to overcome Europe's current fragmentation and its dependence on foreign infrastructure. These factors risk hampering the competitiveness of European AI research and leading to a progressive marginalisation in the development of new technologies.
As highlighted by the President of the Lincei, Roberto Antonelli, and Vice-President Carlo Doglioni, the project aims to establish a public centre of excellence based on open databases and code, ensuring a level of transparency and ethical rigour that the private sector alone cannot systematically guarantee. In this regard, Nobel laureate Giorgio Parisi emphasised the radical shift in the landscape, observing how research has moved dramatically from the public to the corporate sphere. Recalling the evolution of models since the first experiments in 2015, Parisi noted a consequent decline in democratic oversight regarding information and data flow management.
According to Parisi, the scientific challenge must necessarily encompass an in-depth study of human brain mechanisms to guide the evolution of current models toward more advanced and sophisticated levels of understanding.
The proposed infrastructure also aims to adopt independent governance models—a condition considered essential for attracting and retaining top-tier researchers currently employed by tech giants. By offering a neutral development environment oriented toward the common good, Europe seeks to remain a protagonist in the future of AI; failure to do so would risk scientific and economic marginalisation.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Minister Bernini confirmed her full support for the initiative, describing it as consistent with the enhancement of strategic assets already in operation, such as the Leonardo supercomputer and the new AI Factories.
The Minister also reiterated her active commitment within the Council and the EU Commission to promote an autonomous, coordinated research programme. This initiative aims for scientific leadership based on international cooperation, data protection, and the centrality of the individual at every stage of the innovation process.