by InTrieste
The Regional Councilor for University and Research of Friuli Venezia Giulia, Alessia Rosolen, highlighted the region’s growing partnership with Italy’s Ministry of Defense during a presentation at the Master’s program in “Intelligence and Emerging Technologies” held at the Centro Alti Studi sulla Difesa – Scuola Superiore Universitaria (CASD-SSU) in Rome.
“Friuli Venezia Giulia is proud to continue and expand this collaboration with the Defense Ministry, a pathway that underscores the region’s leadership in scientific research and technological innovation,” Rosolen said.
She noted that over the years the region has strengthened ties with multiple ministries, including the Ministry of Defense, through strategic resource allocation and shared planning. “We have worked alongside our universities, technology parks, and research institutions to identify priority objectives while enhancing their operational potential,” she said.
Key areas of focus include artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data privacy regulation, and energy. Rosolen pointed out that the region holds the largest data archive in Europe, which is currently underutilized due to privacy regulations. She emphasized the importance of using big data not only to keep pace with technological advances but to anticipate future challenges and protect critical infrastructure.
The councillor also referenced collaborations with private companies, including Assicurazioni Generali, which has established a dedicated entity for big data and AI. In addition, Rosolen discussed efforts to develop permanent quantum communication infrastructures and expressed the hope that Friuli Venezia Giulia could participate in a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Enterprise and Made in Italy (MIMIT) to contribute both resources and skilled personnel.
Concluding her remarks, Rosolen cited the Latin phrase “Si vis pacem, para bellum” — “If you want peace, prepare for war” — noting that in a time of global uncertainty, regional research and innovation can provide essential tools to face future challenges.
