The United Nations University (UNU) announced today that it will establish a research and training institute in Bologna, Italy. The new institute, made possible through the generous support and cooperation of the Italian government and the Emilia-Romagna Region, will catalyse global collaboration and innovation in the utilization of big data and artificial intelligence (AI) to manage human habitat change.

Following a successful 2022 feasibility study by a team of international experts that confirmed the potential for creating a UNU institute focused on harnessing the power of big data and AI, the Italian government has pledged a significant contribution of USD 40 million to the UNU Endowment Fund to ensure the institute’s long-term sustainability. Moreover, the Italian government and the Emilia-Romagna Region will share the allocation of EUR 2.5 million per year to cover operational expenditures of the institute for an initial period of 10 years.

This UNU institute will be housed in the Bologna’s Technopole. The institute could begin operations as early as the 2nd half of 2024.

The launch of the new UNU institute in Bologna will mark a significant milestone in leveraging the potential of big data and AI to address issues of human habitat change. Among the areas in which the new institute could contribute to policy-relevant research and training delivery are climate change, disaster reduction, and crisis and conflict management.

Through strategic collaborations with other United Nations entities, the institute will play a pivotal role in accelerating UN efforts to mobilize big data and AI-driven insights to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Moreover, by engaging with researchers and policymakers from the global South, the new institute will ensure that its projects and collaborations address the needs and aspirations of countries and peoples worldwide.

The new UNU institute will benefit from the Emilia-Romagna Region’s thriving innovation ecosystem by providing access to a rich community of researchers, advanced supercomputing facilities, and robust cloud infrastructure. This positioning will enable the institute to emerge as a global hub for pioneering research, policy development, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Click here to read the Joint Statement by the Government of Italy, the Emilia Romagna Region, and the United Nations University Regarding the Establishment of a New UNU Institute in Bologna, Italy