Starting June 20, 2025, Instituto Superior Técnico will host the conference series “Artificial Intelligence in Interaction with the Physical World,” running through February 2026. The initiative, in partnership with the Institute for Systems and Robotics – Lisbon (ISR-Lisboa), will take place at the Técnico Innovation Center powered by Fidelidade and is part of the parallel programming of the "Art with Science" exhibition, curated by Leonel Moura, currently on display in the same venue.

The series will bring together researchers from Técnico and several of its Research Units, experts from different sectors, and industry representatives to discuss practical applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning in systems that interact with the physical world. Topics include robotics, smart cities, healthcare, sustainability, and other emerging areas.

Over six sessions, the program will present case studies and ongoing collaborations between the scientific community and the national industrial sector, fostering discussion on the direct impacts of AI on society and the role of scientific research in developing technological solutions with real-world applications.

The opening session will take place on June 20, 2025, and will feature keynote contributions from Técnico full professors José Santos Victor, Arlindo Oliveira, Patrícia Figueiredo, Paulo Ferrão, Tiago Domingos, and Nuno Jardim Nunes. The session will be moderated by Pedro Lima, Técnico professor and president of the Institute for Systems and Robotics – Lisbon, alongside Porfírio Silva, researcher and member of the Portuguese Parliament. The opening discussion will explore the current landscape of Artificial Intelligence, emphasizing the role of scientific research in defining its boundaries, possibilities, and responsibilities.

The final session, scheduled for February 13, 2026, will focus on “AI, Ethics, and Social Responsibility,” and will feature speakers Teresa Almeida, Ana O. Henriques, Luís Barreto Xavier, and Paulo Mota Pinto, moderated by Nuno Jardim Nunes.

All sessions will take place from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM at the Técnico Innovation Center powered by Fidelidade, with free admission. The initiative is open to all those interested in following and discussing the challenges and opportunities brought by the integration of AI into everyday life.

Program Overview:

• Inaugural Forum (June 20, 2025):
  With José Santos Victor (Técnico & ISR-Lisboa/LARSYS), Arlindo Oliveira (Técnico & INESC-ID), Patrícia Figueiredo (Técnico & ISR-Lisboa/LARSYS), Paulo Ferrão (Técnico & IN+/LARSYS), Tiago Domingos (Técnico & MARETEC/LARSYS), and Nuno Jardim Nunes (Técnico & ITI/LARSYS). Moderated by Pedro Lima (President of ISR-Lisboa) and Porfírio Silva (MP);
• AI, Industry and Services (October 3, 2025);
• AI, Territories and Smart Homes (November 21, 2025);
• AI, Environment and Natural Resources (December 12, 2025);
• AI and Health (January 23, 2026);
• AI, Ethics and Social Responsibility (February 13, 2026).

Source: Técnico News