#Luiss.MasterClasses are the latest conference series offered by the University, dedicated to the current global pandemic. Throughout May, a host of world renowned experts have been called to look at the health crisis through their specific lens and current research connected to the global Covid-19 pandemic and its repercussions.
All talks take place on Facebook LIVE.
Upcoming #Luiss.MasterClasses features:
Tuesday, May 26 • 6:30PM | Helga Nowotny, Professor Emerita of Science & Technology Studies at ETH Zurich and former President of ERC - European Research Council and Luigi Gubitosi, MD of Telecom Italia
Presented by Luiss Vice President, Paola Severino with moderation by Luiss Rector, Andrea Prencipe.
The first online discussion took place on Tuesday, April 21 – entitled "Pandemic Knowhow," it was conducted by Luiss Rector Andrea Prencipe and featured author, Paolo Giordano.
“Our latest debate format is entirely in the spirit of Luiss as an 'engaged university' – constantly looking outward to the world at large. We don't offer routine lessons, but are always looking for ways to bring topical discussions to our students, hosting a panoply of esteemed guests, each with a differing point of view," explains Prencipe.
Author Paolo Giordano offers his concise summation: "In a world driven by hyper-simplification, the Covid-19 phenomenon has forced us to face complexities that heretofore we obstinately refused to even consider in their entirety."
Thursday, April 23 – Luiss Vice President, Paola Severino, together with the Managing Director of Vodafone Italia, Aldo Bisio, discussed our “new normal” post-Covid19. They brought to light the myriad changes already introduced into our society, largely supported by a wide deployment of digital instruments to see them through. Luiss Rector, Andrea Prencipe presented the speakers and acted as moderator of the event.
"We’ve been forced to speed up things across all fronts. But this acceleration has only served to help us fully appreciate the benefits as well as the dangers of the internet. When things go back to normal, the web will play an even greater and decisive part,” affirmed Luiss Vice President, Paola Severino.
Aldo Bisio, MD - Vodafone Italia, shared his views: “It’s important to think about how things are going to play out in this ‘new normal’, especially in terms of how we’re going to achieve this reset. There are three determinants that will guide this change: remote working, digitalization of processes and automation.”
Tuesday, April 28 – Harvard Professor Jeffrey Schnapp, Founder of the metaLAB(at)Harvard, Co-director of Berkman Center for Internet & Society and Carl A. Pescosolido Chair of Romance Languages & Literatures and of Comparative Literature, joined Luiss Managing Director, Giovanni Lo Storto, to discuss the role of Artificial Intelligence in the time of Covid-19. Luiss Rector, Andrea Prencipe presented the speakers and acted as moderator for the event.
“Education and training will play a central role in AI as it offers a real chance for the human side: to conceive of machines and technology as instruments that can contribute as partners in co-creating value,” stated Lo Storto. Adding, “Knowledge is fundamental in helping us consider the supporting role of technology as a means at our disposal to augment our capacity to change the world.”
“Personally, I consider digital intelligence as a sort of prolongation of human intelligence," concluded Prof. Schnapp. “Following this concept forward, we can see that technologies can serve to amplify the confines of our cognition, of our knowledge.”
Thursday, April 30, – We heard from Luiss Professor Henry Chesbrough, Maire Tecnimont Chair in Open Innovation, and Fabrizio Di Amato, President of Maire Tecnimont. They took on the role of Open Innovation as it relates to overcoming the challenges of the current crisis. Luiss Rector, Andrea Prencipe, introduced the speakers while Cristina Alaimo, Assistant Professor at Luiss, moderated the event.
“We have to think about the moment when the economy goes back to fully operating again. Open Innovation can certainly help in reorganizing work processes. The reset shouldn't start from where we left off: We are already moving in the direction of a new era," affirmed Henry Chesbrough.
"This crisis has forced us to imagine another way of managing our businesses and organizations. We have to keep an open mind so we may fully grasp what we're capable of doing in the future," concluded Maire Tecnimont President, Fabrizio di Amato.
Sunday, May 3 – Author and journalist, Concita De Gregorio joined psychoanalyst and author, Luigi Ballerini, and high school student, Maria Giovanna Pederzoli, to offer their reflections on this unique moment in history. Andrea Prencipe, Luiss Rector, presented and moderated the event.
Concita De Gregorio brought a voice of clarity, stating: "All of our attention is typically focused on what's about to happen. But what comes next for our students starts now – and it's important that they don't lose hope."
"We're often focused on the joys that come from seeing our expectations and desires be fulfilled. But disappointment can happen and it's important that we're not stuck there, where we find ourselves, but look at it as a starting point," stated Luigi Ballerini.
High school student, Maria Giovanna Pederzoli shares her perspective of what comes next, stating: "It will be a summer of discovery of the beauty in every single gesture. It will be a moment for thinking on things, for deep reflection and one that will allow us to comprehend what it was, really, that we had thought we lost in terms of our daily routines."
Tuesday, May 5 – Guest speakers, Luiss Professor of International Relations Raffaele Marchetti and Cecilia Piccioni, Senior Advisor to the President of Fincantieri, and former Ambassador for Italy in Vietnam. The talk was presented and moderated by Luiss Rector, Andrea Prencipe.
Tuesday, May 12 – Featuring Giuseppe F. Italiano, Professore of Computer Science at Luiss and Luca Tomassini, President and Managing Director of Vetrya.
"Today, more than ever, people are aware of the potential of digital; an instrument that has helped solve a number of problems and surpassed obstacles across the worlds of academia, training, medical and elsewhere throughout our society," concluded Luca Tomassini.
"Data is extremely important – but we also need the proper algorithms and models to really show us what is going on today, to be able to work out the probable scenarios that may come into play tomorrow. We need to innovate and accelerate, digitally speaking," stated Italiano.
The talk was presented and moderated by Luiss Rector, Andrea Prencipe and moderated by Cristina Alaimo, Assistant Professor at Luiss for the Digital Economy.
Thursday, May 14 – Brought insights from Michele Costabile, Luiss Professor of Marketing and Barbara Del Neri, Marketing Director Southern Europe and Head of Digital & Data Transformation for Procter & Gamble.
Professore Michele Costabile remarked, "Taking measurements is our common language when it comes to comprehending certain phenomena. But measurements don't tell the whole story: Taken by themselves, we can't simply understand nor make sound decisions. We need to study and search for causality, so we can take better steps and imagine all the possible scenarios."
"Huge data dumps and information flows, if poorly managed, can generate chaos. So, we must take a step back and start from the business question we are looking to resolve. And from there, use data to propel that narrative," concluded Barbara Del Neri.
The talk was presented and moderated by Luiss Rector, Andrea Prencipe and moderated by Simona Romani, Professor of Marketing at Luiss.
Tuesday, May 19 saw the 10th talk. Ian McCarthy, Luiss Professor of Technology Management joined Gianni Riotta, Director of the Luiss School of Journalism. The event was presented and moderated by Luiss Rector, Andrea Prencipe.
"To counter the spread of disinformation, it is fundamental to learn to listen and read with an open and critical mind. As a society, as individuals, it is our responsibility to learn to recognize the truth," stated poignantly Professor Ian McCarthy.
"Online, disinformation seems to travel much faster than true quality information. We're living in an epoch no longer held by mass media, but instead, by individual media with information flowing through private chats, on social media. We need to reconstruct a sense of trust," stated Gianni Riotta in his closing remarks.
Thursday, May 21 brought together the Managing Director of Cisco Italia, Agostino Santoni and Cristina Alaimo, Assistant Professor of Luiss for Digital Economy. Luiss General Director, Giovanni lo Storto and Rector Rettore, Andrea Prencipe introduced the guests with moderator, Luiss Professor, Luca Giustiniano.
Cristina Alaimo kicked off the conversation, stating, "The concept of digital resilience relies on the role of technology in limiting or favoring the 'double jump' of organizations – that is, their ability to innovate and transform. The true challenge is what we make and treasure in terms of our real life experiences."
"We revolutionized the mechanisms for making an entire country work, at an extraordinary pace. And now, we must rethink virtually everything. We need to reconsider the concept of leadership, and put people back in the center of the process for rebuilding our future," concluded Cisco Italia MD, Agostino Santoni.