Welcome to the fourth edition of Scientifica Journal!
Today’s guest is Professor Paolo Merialdo from the Department of Civil Engineering, Computer Science, and Aeronautical Technologies at Roma Tre University.

Professor, we’d like to begin with an overview of the facility you lead. Could you give us a sense of its mission and the main research areas that define your Big Data Laboratory?

Absolutely. Our lab is a crossroads of innovation and discovery in the vast realm of Big Data. Our mission is twofold: we aim not only to explore the depths of data’s potential, but also to make that knowledge accessible and useful to everyone.
Our research areas span from Digital Humanities, which allow us to uncover new insights through data analysis applied to historical and cultural contexts, to Explainable AI, which seeks to make the decision-making processes of intelligent systems transparent and understandable, all the way to the use of Large Language Models (LLMs) to improve the efficiency of public administration.

Speaking of current research projects, could you share some details about the most significant ones underway in your lab?

At the moment, we’re focused on projects with a tangible societal impact. Our work in Digital Humanities is opening up new scenarios, and from this very research a start-up was born: myBiros.com, which is taking this knowledge into the real world.
In addition, our collaboration with the Italian Senate on the application of LLMs could potentially reshape how data is analyzed in the public sector.
Let’s talk about challenges. What are the main ones your lab is currently facing?

Certainly, one of the key challenges is making our research not only cutting-edge, but also accessible and understandable to a wider audience.
For example, in the field of Explainable AI, we’re working to ensure that our algorithms are transparent and interpretable, addressing the broader challenge of societal acceptance and adoption.

In terms of impact, are there practical applications of your research that are helping to solve real-world problems or improve people’s lives?

Yes, our research is having a direct influence on the world around us. From the Digital Humanities, which are reshaping how we understand our history and culture, to our collaboration with the Senate, which is revolutionizing how crucial decisions are made within public administrations, our work is making a meaningful and positive difference in people’s lives.
Lastly, how do your research activities contribute to the economic and social development of the region?

Our research not only generates new knowledge, but also creates economic and social opportunities. The launch of myBiros.com, a direct spin-off from our work in the Digital Humanities, is a concrete example of this impact.

Following this insightful testimony from Professor Merialdo, stay with us as we continue to explore the frontiers of innovation. Through the lens of the scientists we interview, we’ll keep pushing toward the boundaries of science and discovery.