On the occasion of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, IFAB promotes the event “Girls Code the Future”, an initiative designed to bring younger generations closer to Artificial Intelligence and data science, placing diversity, inclusion and informed guidance toward STEM careers at its core.
From School to AI
The protagonists of the morning will be 270 students from lower secondary schools in Bologna, who will meet researchers, entrepreneurs and professionals working every day in the development and application of Artificial Intelligence technologies. The event was conceived with a threefold objective:
- to broaden young people’s understanding of what AI and data science represent today
- to encourage girls and boys to explore STEM education pathways and careers
- to offer female role models in fields that are still too often perceived as male-dominated
Voices from Research, Industry and Creativity
The morning session will bring together leading voices from research, industry, and the creative-education sector, invited to explore Artificial Intelligence through real-world experiences and practical case studies. Following the opening remarks by the science communicators of Leo Scienza, Francesco Ubertini — President of Fondazione IFAB and CINECA — will set the stage with a reflection on Bologna’s growing role as a strategic AI hub. Elisa Ficarra, Full Professor at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, will delve into how Artificial Intelligence is reshaping medicine today and redefining its future. Sonia Bonfiglioli, President and CEO of Bonfiglioli Group, will offer the perspective of industrial enterprise navigating the AI era. Artist Kamilia Kard will showcase how AI can become a powerful medium for artistic expression. The event will conclude with closing remarks from Elena Mazzoni, Regional Councillor for Digital Agenda, Legality and the Fight Against Poverty of the Emilia-Romagna Region.
Event Program
“Girls Code the Future”
February 11th, 2026 — DAMA Tecnopolo Data Manifattura Emilia-Romagna
Via Stalingrado 84/3, Bologna
- 9:30 AM – Opening remarks. Leo Scienza, cultural association for science communication
- 9:45 AM – Francesco Ubertini, President of IFAB Foundation and President of CINECA. “Bologna and Artificial Intelligence: Never Been This Close”
- 10:05 AM – Elisa Ficarra, Full Professor at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia. “AI in medicine, today and in the future”
- 10:30 AM – Sonia Bonfiglioli, Chairwoman and CEO of Bonfiglioli Group. “What Does an Entrepreneur Do? Industry in the Age of Artificial Intelligence”
- 10:55 AM – Break
- 11:15 AM – Kamilia Kard, Artist. “Creating Art with Artificial Intelligence”
- 11:40 AM – Q&A Time. Interactive roundtable with participants
- 12:20 PM – Closing remarks. Elena Mazzoni, Regional Councillor for Digital Agenda, Legality and Fight Against Poverty, Emilia-Romagna Region
- 12:30 PM – End of the event
STEM-Trekkers: Data Literacy, a Project for Digital Citizenship
“Girls Code the Future” is part of the STEM-Trekkers: Data Literacy project, a training and guidance pathway aimed at lower secondary school students and teachers, designed to develop skills in data education and Artificial Intelligence. Launched in early 2024, the project has already involved five schools through hands-on workshops, AI and data literacy activities, summer schools, teacher training sessions, educational visits and testimonials from professionals and researchers. The initiative adopts an integrated approach that combines hard skills (data analysis, design and use of AI tools) and soft skills (data interpretation, visualization and critical thinking).
Information and Participation
The event has been selected and supported by the Digital Republic Fund (Fondo per la Repubblica Digitale), and is promoted by Open Group, IFAB and Dataninja, in collaboration with the Department of Psychology “Renzo Canestrani” of Alma Mater Studiorum – University of Bologna, the Municipality of Bologna, and the DAMA Data Manifattura Technopole of Bologna.
Participation in the event is free of charge. More information is available on the official event flyer.
