12 December 2025, Tokyo and Bologna — The United Nations University (UNU) is pleased to announce that it has signed agreements with the Government of Italy to establish a new research and training institute in Bologna, Italy. The new institute, made possible through the generous support and cooperation of the Government of Italy and the Emilia-Romagna Region, will use big data and artificial intelligence (AI) to shape a more sustainable and equitable future for all.
This UNU institute will be housed in a new building now being constructed within Bologna’s Technopole, a rapidly expanding research hub known for its state-of-the-art facilities and innovation ecosystem. Pending the ratification of the seat agreements by the Italian Parliament, the institute could begin operations as early as the 2nd half of 2026.
The launch of the new UNU institute in Bologna marks a significant milestone in leveraging big data and AI to enhance human welfare, strengthen peace and security, and protect the planet’s natural habitat. The new institute will contribute to policy-relevant research and training on climate change, disaster reduction, and crisis and conflict management.
Through strategic collaborations with other United Nations entities, the institute will accelerate the UN’s mobilization of 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 people worldwide.
“Artificial intelligence and big data are among the most powerful forces shaping our future. Understanding and harnessing these technologies responsibly is essential to addressing the complex challenges facing humanity," said UNU Rector Tshilidzi Marwala. "Our new institute in Bologna is dedicated to this mission. One key area of inquiry for the institute will be the changing human habitat, but the institute's work will extend across multiple domains where these technologies can advance sustainable and equitable development.”
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.
The establishment of this new UNU institute in Bologna heralds a new era of collaboration, innovation and knowledge creation in the realm of big data and AI, and promises to contribute to the advancement of global cooperation and the achievement of a sustainable and equitable future.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Kyra Bowman
Head of Communications, UNU
bowman@unu.edu
