Meet Stefano Bernagozzi, PhD Student at IIT

Technical and Academic Background: Stefano Bernagozzi earned his Bachelor's degree in Computer Science from the University of Bologna, where his thesis focused on "Range Queries on an Encrypted Outsourced Database." He continued his studies at the same university, obtaining a Master’s degree in Computer Science with a thesis titled "Towards Artificial Creativity: Evolutionary Methods for Generating Robot Choreographies." His academic journey also took him to Sabanci University in Turkey, where he was a visiting student in 2015, broadening his research horizons and gaining international experience.

Role in the Organisation: As a PhD student at Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Stefano is engaged in human-aware planning, working primarily with behaviour trees and Markov Decision Processes (MDPs). His primary research focuses on designing robots that behave in a human-like manner.

Journey into AI and Robotics: Stefano’s interest in robotics was originally sparked during his university years when he began experimenting with microcontrollers. This discovery led him to appreciate robotics as a unique application of computer science that bridges the gap between software and hardware. What captivates Stefano most is seeing the tangible results of his work—robots moving and interacting in the real world, which transforms abstract code into physical action.

Most Enjoyable and Challenging Parts of the Job: For Stefano, the greatest joy in his work comes from witnessing the reactions of people when they see a robot in motion for the first time.

However, he notes that the transition from simulation to real-world application poses significant challenges. Real environments often present unforeseen obstacles that require creative problem-solving and adaptability.

Exciting Future Implications of AI: Stefano is particularly enthusiastic about the potential of AI in the medical field. He believes that advancements in medical AI could lead to significant improvements in quality of life, making healthcare more effective and accessible. Additionally, he is excited about the prospect of robots taking over hazardous and physically demanding tasks, which could greatly enhance safety and well-being in various industries.

Hobbies and Interests: Unlike many in his field, Stefano is not a lover of computer games. And when he steps away from work, he prefers to engage in more hands-on activities. For example, Stefano spends a lot of time making guitars and, as a music enthusiast, he loves to both listen and play music. He also has a passion for dancing, particularly modern and contemporary styles, allowing him to express creativity away from his technical pursuits. Stefano is also a billiards and volleyball player. He enjoys outdoor activities and spending time in nature, particularly hiking and travelling. And cooking is another passion of his.