Starting on 20 June 2025, Instituto Superior Técnico will host a series of talks titled “Artificial Intelligence in Interaction in the Physical World”, which will continue until February 2026. This initiative, in partnership with the Institute for Systems and Robotics (ISR-Lisboa), will take place at Técnico Innovation Center powered by Fidelidade and runs concurrently with the exhibition ‘Art with Science’, curated by Leonel Moura, which is currently on show at the same venue.
The talks will bring together researchers from Técnico and its various Research Units, along with specialists 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 will include robotics, smart cities, healthcare, sustainability, and other emerging areas.
Over the course of six sessions, the programme will highlight case studies and collaborations already established between the scientific community and the national business sector, promoting reflection on the direct impacts of AI on society and the role of scientific research in developing technological solutions with practical application.
The inaugural forum will take place on 20 June 2025, featuring Técnico professors Arlindo Oliveira, José Santos-Victor, Patrícia Figueiredo, Paulo Ferrão, Tiago Domingos and Nuno Jardim Nunes. This opening session, moderated by Pedro Lima, professor at Técnico and president of the Institute for Systems and Robotics (ISR-Lisboa), and Porfírio Silva, a researcher and member of the Portuguese Parliament, will launch a debate on the current state of Artificial Intelligence, emphasising the contribution of scientific research in defining its limits, possibilities and responsibilities.
The series of talks will end on 13 February 2026 with a talk dedicated to the theme “Ethics and Social Responsibility of Artificial Intelligence”, which will feature contributions from Teresa Almeida, Ana O. Henriques, Luís Barreto Xavier and Paulo Mota Pinto, moderated by Nuno Jardim Nunes.
All sessions will take place between 5 p.m. and 6.30 p.m. at Técnico Innovation Center powered by Fidelidade, and attendance is free. This initiative is designed for anyone interested in engaging in informed discussions about the challenges and opportunities associated with integrating Artificial Intelligence into everyday life.
Programme:
- Inaugural Forum (20 June 2025), 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);
- AI, Industry and Services (3 October 2025);
- AI, Territories and Smart Homes (21 November 2025);
- AI, Environment and Natural Resources (12 December 2025);
- AI and Health (23 January 2026);
- AI, Ethics and Social Responsibility (13 February 2026).
