The city of Catania transformed into a global stage for artificial intelligence, innovation, and strategic thinking. On June 19–20, the University of Catania’s Department of Economics and Business hosted the International Summer Conference 2025 (ISC25), a landmark event that explored the role of intelligent systems in shaping better decisions in an increasingly AI-powered world.
Under the theme “Intelligent Systems & Decision Making: Human Insights in the Era of AI,” ISC25 brought together more than 100 organizations from across academia, industry, and government. Organized by the Decision Science Alliance (DSA), the conference emerged as one of Europe’s leading forums on applied AI and decision science, offering not only technical depth but also a strong human-centered perspective.
What set ISC25 apart was its commitment to bridging technology and human judgment. The program highlighted real-world applications of AI across diverse sectors—from healthcare and finance to manufacturing, mobility, design, and sustainable development—inviting participants to reflect on a central question: how can we make more effective and ethical decisions with the help of intelligent technologies?
Across the two days, attendees engaged in keynote talks, expert panels, and interactive roundtables. The academic and technical tracks covered a wide array of disciplines, including machine learning, robotics, optimization, simulation, and applied statistics. As always, the social program added a touch of Sicilian culture, culminating in a gala dinner that celebrated international collaboration and innovation with local flavor.
New to this year’s edition was a high-profile roundtable dedicated to the investment landscape of AI. Titled “Investing in AI & Investing with AI,” the session brought together business angels, venture capitalists, and founders to discuss funding opportunities, innovation trends, and how AI is transforming the way capital is deployed across industries.
ISC25 also served as a launchpad for emerging startups and applied research. One of the highlights was the Startup Battle, a competitive arena where AI-driven startups pitched their solutions live in front of a jury of investors and industry experts. Finalists benefited from dedicated visibility, matchmaking opportunities, and media coverage through IDA Magazine and Podcast. Winners received the prestigious Best Startup Award, while all participants gained access to networking platforms, a sponsor stand, and two full conference passes. The event took place on June 20 at 2:00 PM, with submissions closed on June 8.
Adding to the competitive edge was the NTT DATA Award, open to researchers, innovators, and companies developing AI solutions with tangible real-world impact. Finalists took the ISC25 main stage on the morning of June 20 to present their work, with the winner receiving official recognition, a trophy, and amplified media exposure.
For companies seeking practical insight, ISC25 offered a 1:1 Business Assessment Desk, a personalized consultation service designed to help organizations integrate AI and analytics into their decision-making workflows. Each session included a preliminary evaluation ahead of the conference, followed by a tailored meeting with subject-matter experts during the event—an ideal opportunity for businesses looking to explore digital transformation, operational efficiency, and innovation strategy.
Beyond the business and startup focus, ISC25 also championed academic research and applied case studies. The call for scientific papers and business use cases resulted in selected contributions being published in the esteemed Springer Lecture Notes in Computer Science series—another testament to the event’s growing academic significance.
Building on the momentum of the previous edition in Valencia, ISC25 raised the bar even higher. Whether participants were PhD researchers, policy makers, or C-level executives, this year’s conference delivered fresh ideas, valuable connections, and actionable strategies for navigating the AI era.
