The full programme comprises six sessions, bringing together Técnico researchers from different research units, industry specialists, and external experts to discuss how artificial intelligence and machine learning are being applied in systems that interact with the physical world. Four of these sessions have already taken place, with themes across different topics, such as robotics, industry, smart cities, energy, healthcare, and ethics, which were explored through concrete case studies and ongoing collaborations between academia and the business sector, highlighting the societal impact of AI-driven technologies.
The series opened on 20 June 2025 with the Inaugural Forum “AI around us”, which set the tone for the series by addressing the current state of AI and the responsibility of scientific research in shaping its development and limits.
Subsequent sessions focused on key application domains and featured Técnico researchers alongside industry and sectoral experts, offering complementary academic and practical perspectives. Read more:
- Inaugural Forum: “AI around us”.
with Arlindo Oliveira (Instituto Superior Técnico and INESC-ID); José Santos-Victor (Instituto Superior Técnico and ISR-Lisboa/LARSyS), Patrícia Figueiredo (Instituto Superior Técnico and ISR-Lisboa/LARSyS), Paulo Ferrão (Instituto Superior Técnico and IN+/LARSyS), Tiago Domingos (Instituto Superior Técnico and MARETEC/LARSyS); Nuno Jardim Nunes (Instituto Superior Técnico and ITI/ LARSyS) moderated by Pedro Lima (President of the Institute for Systems and Robotics – ISR-Lisboa), and Porfírio Silva (Member of the Portuguese Parliament); - The Industry of the Future: Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Services.
with Rodrigo Ventura (Instituto Superior Técnico and ISR-Lisboa/LARSyS), Christine Marconcin (Critical Techworks), Joana Frazão (Fravizel Engineering), Marlos Silva (Sonae MC) and Ricardo Mendes (TEKEVER), moderated by José Santos-Victor (Instituto Superior Técnico and ISR-Lisboa/LARSyS) - Smart Cities and Smart Homes: How Artificial Intelligence transforms common space (21 November 2025). Watch on Youtube
with João Paulo Costeira (Instituto Superior Técnico and ISR-Lisboa/LARSyS), Ernesto Morgado (SYSCOG) and Miguel Carvalho (Watt-IS), moderated by Paulo Ferrão (Instituto Superior Técnico and IN+/LARSyS) - Energy, Water, Environment and Agriculture (12 December 2025). Watch on Youtube.
with António Pascoal (Instituto Superior Técnico and ISR-Lisboa/LARSys), Alexandre Bernardino (Instituto Superior Técnico and ISR-Lisboa/LARSyS), João Coimbra (Quinta da Cholda) and Tiago Morais (VirtualCrop), moderated by Tiago Domingos (Instituto Superior Técnico and MARETEC)
The next session, in January 2026, will cover Artificial Intelligence in Health, addressing diagnosis, treatment, and personalized care, highlighting the transformative role of AI in healthcare systems. The series will conclude on 13 February 2026 with a session dedicated to Ethics and Social Responsibility of Artificial Intelligence, fostering critical reflection on legal, social, and ethical challenges associated with AI deployment.
- Artificial Intelligence in Health: Diagnosis, Treatment and Personalised Care
with Catarina Barata (Instituto Superior Técnico and ISR-Lisboa/LARSyS), Francisca Leite (Learning Health/Luz Saúde), Henrique Martins (ISCTE-IUL), Marco Manso (PARTICLE-Summary), moderated by Patrícia Figueiredo (Instituto Superior Técnico and ISR-Lisboa/LARSyS) - Ethics and Social Responsibility of AI
with Teresa Almeida (Instituto Superior Técnico and ITI/LARSyS), Luís Barreto Xavier (Abreu Advogados), Paulo Mota Pinto (Faculty of Law, University of Coimbra), moderated by Nuno Jardim Nunes (Instituto Superior Técnico and ITI/LARSyS).
All sessions are open to the public and held between 5:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., attracting a diverse audience interested in understanding how artificial intelligence is reshaping everyday life.
